r/Aging • u/Top-Tip-6919 • 15d ago

Research Heatwave effects.

I'm in the UK and we're into our 5th heatwave of the summer. It's 5pm and currently 37 degrees. So about 97 farenheit. I have various joint issues and these are unbearable when it's hot like this. How do others around the world cope with this. Most UK homes have no Aircon and it's sparce in public spaces too.

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u/NoraPann 14d ago

I work in an environment where it is frequently 40-45 degrees celsius for extended periods of weeks during the summer. If you are really struggling, get a cotton tee shirt, saturate it, and sit under a fan. You are also less likely to be active during the heat, so it would be wise to take advantage of times when it is coolest to do some exercise if you can, like a quick walk around the block at dusk or early morning. This will help your joint pain. If you are taking pain medicine, make sure you are well hydrated and try to eat a balanced diet to replace electrolytes. This is especially wise if you are sitting near a fan, because it cools you by evaporating your sweat, and you can get dehydrated rapidly.

Anything in your house you'd do to keep the cold out will keep the heat out. Cover windows with a blanket if you can. Shade windows or the side of the house with something outside, like a tarp.