Heat and humidity can affect people, medication

Bowen Health Clinic warns that with temperatures predicted in the 90s throughout the week and high humidity levels, some people who take certain behavioral health medications can become less tolerant of the heat.

Dr. Ambreen Ghori, Bowen Health Clinic psychiatrist, warns that patients who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can have serious heat-related reactions.

“According to research, certain antidepressants make people more sensitive to heat,” says Dr. Ghori. “SSRIs (brand names Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Prozac, among others,) have properties that can prevent sweat glands from functioning properly. Sweating helps the body cool itself naturally, so when it decreases or stops, it can cause a person to overheat.”

“There are several medication classes that can contribute to or cause heat sensitivity,” said Dr. Ghori. This is also the case for other medication categories including amphetamines and antipsychotics.

“In general, excessive heat can affect your mental well-being,” said Dr. Ghori. “Excessive heat has been known to cause irritability. Also, disrupted sleep patterns due to heat can contribute to mood fluctuations and exacerbate mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.”

When the body’s temperature-regulatory processes become overwhelmed, overheating can occur. Symptoms can include fatigue, heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, fainting, and confusion. During hot temperatures, it is also easy to become dehydrated.

Here are some ways of protecting yourself from heat exhaustion:

• Drink plenty of water and nonalcoholic beverages to stay hydrated.
• Dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing
• Avoid being in the sun for long periods, especially between 11 am to 3 pm.
• Reduce strenuous activity and save activities such as gardening or lawn mowing for early morning or late evening
• Eat light, easy-to-digest foods
• Mist skin with cool water when outside and use cold compresses when inside

If you have any questions about how heat might affect any of your medications, check with your doctor.