Dangerous conditions easily missed in a heat wave...summer health care for people in their 60s to 80s

 As record heat continues, warning lights are flashing over people's health. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a critical heat wave warning for Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi Province on the 4th, and the government's heat wave crisis alert has been kept at its highest level, 'serious', since the 27th of last month. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has said that some 2,025 people have suffered heat-related illness from 15 May to date.

In summer, however, there are conditions that seniors need to watch just as closely as heat-related illness. Seasonal factors can worsen the symptoms of existing spine and joint disease, and in people with chronic conditions the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular disease caused by dehydration can also increase.

Kang Hyun-wook, an orthopedics specialist and Director of the Spine Center at St. Peter's Hospital, advised, "In summer, changes in temperature and humidity, altered daily routines and excessive exposure to air conditioning act together, so the risk of chronic musculoskeletal disease from nerve compression and joint loading can rise," adding, "Especially in people aged 60 and over, in whom degenerative changes of the spine and joints are progressing, particular care is needed."

■ Hidden spinal stenosis may flare up as activity increases in summer

One of the hidden threats to seniors' health in summer is spinal disease. As people spend more time walking or standing than usual on trips and walks and their activity levels rise, pain from existing conditions that had been lying hidden can become pronounced.

Spinal stenosis, a representative degenerative condition, has a comparatively high number of patients in summer. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, over the three years from 2023 to 2025 the monthly average number of patients aged 60 or over with spinal stenosis in July and August was 355,000, 2.8% higher than the monthly average of 345,340 for the whole period.

Director Kang Hyun-wook of the Spine Center at St. Peter's Hospital advises, "In summer, increased activity and changes in pressure within the spine often bring the symptoms of spinal stenosis to the fore," adding, "Since 80-90% of cases found early can be treated non-surgically with drugs, injections or physiotherapy, it is best to see a specialist as quickly as possible if something feels wrong."

■ Beware of falls and impact fractures in the rainy season for osteoporosis patients... joint pain and frozen shoulder also need attention

Seniors with osteoporosis or osteopenia also need to watch for vertebral compression fractures and fragility fractures in summer. Summer brings frequent everyday accidents — falls on floors made slippery by the rainy season, bumps around the home, tripping while out on an excursion — and these readily cause fractures of the spine, pelvis or femur. In fact, pelvic and femoral fractures occurring in people aged 65 and over are known to result mostly from falls.

The more severe the osteoporosis, the greater the risk of fracture from even a small impact, so care is also needed with devices such as massage guns that apply strong, repeated pressure. Older people in particular may not properly notice how high the intensity is, so excessively high intensity and prolonged use are best avoided.

Older women in particular should avoid situations that could cause a fracture as far as possible, even if they have no specific symptoms of osteoporosis. According to the 2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the prevalence of osteoporosis among women aged 70 and over reached 37.2%, and prevalence tended to rise with age.

Dr. Kang, Hyun Wook explained, "Fractures of the spine, hip and other sites caused by osteoporosis or osteopenia carry a high risk of pain, gait disturbance, and lasting after-effects," adding, "particular care is needed with slips on wet floors in summer."

■ Those with underlying conditions such as hypertension or diabetes should take care to prevent dehydration and manage blood pressure

Those with chronic underlying conditions such as hypertension or diabetes in particular need to pay special attention to preventing dehydration and managing their blood pressure. Dehydration in older people can cause changes in blood pressure, which can increase the burden on the cardiovascular system.

In addition, if loss of body water raises blood viscosity, blood clots can form, and in severe cases there is a risk that a clot may travel and cause a cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction. If you suddenly feel dizzy, lose strength in your arms or legs, slur your speech, have difficulty breathing, or feel a crushing chest pain, do not put it down to the season; go to a hospital immediately.

Seniors aged 60 and over are also vulnerable to dehydration, so particular care is needed in summer. In fact, reports show that about 7% of inpatients aged 65 or over are in a state of insufficient hydration, and dehydration accounts for as many as 1.4% of hospital admissions. For patients with diabetes in particular, dehydration can raise blood glucose and be even more dangerous.

To prevent such symptoms, it is important to pay attention to taking in enough fluids, especially in summer. On this point, Lee Ji-yeon, Chief of Nephrology at St. Peter's Hospital, stressed, “You do not have to take it as water alone; it is good to take in enough fluids little and often, including fruit and vegetables that contain water,” adding, “However, patients with kidney disease, including chronic kidney disease, must consult a specialist to adjust their fluid intake appropriately.”

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Source: Medworld News (http://www.medworld.co.kr)