Hotheaded?

How to prepare for the summer heat

Summer fun is back--and so are the high temperatures that can be problematic for older sun worshippers. Warm weather can severely affect us as we age: witness last summer's European heat wave that was linked to at least 20,000 deaths. Whether you're caring for an older relative or noticing that you're a little weary after sun-drenched days, some simple, not always obvious steps can ensure safety in the sun.

A brief physiology lesson helps explain why a heat wave affects older people disproportionately. When a younger body warms up, the blood vessels expand and blood flows to the skin, dissipating heat....

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