Heat waves set off spine and joint warning lights in older adults…what management does St. Peter's Hospital advise?

 As record heat continues, the worsening of spine and joint conditions in seniors in their 60s to 80s is emerging as a major health threat alongside heat-related illness. Changes in temperature and humidity in summer and excessive exposure to air conditioning can combine to bring the symptoms of degenerative spine and joint disease to the fore.

According to St. Peter's Hospital on the 5th, the number of patients with spinal stenosis in summer over the past three years has been higher than in other seasons. Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data show that from 2023 to 2025 the monthly average number of patients aged 60 and over with spinal stenosis in July and August was 355,000, 2.8% more than the monthly average of 345,340 for the whole period.

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal at the center of the spine and the intervertebral foramen narrow and compress the nerves, producing pain or numbness in the lower back, buttocks and legs. About 10% of patients aged 60 and over in Korea are known to have it. Its typical symptom is 'neurogenic intermittent claudication', in which pain worsens on walking or activity and subsides on sitting down to rest.

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

Patients with osteoporosis are at high risk of fracture from falling on slippery floors during the rainy season or even from a minor impact. Older women in particular are vulnerable to falls even when they have no obvious symptoms, and care is also needed with high-intensity devices such as massage guns. The prevalence of osteoporosis among women aged 70 and over has in fact been found to exceed 37%.

Director Kang explained, “Fractures of the spine or hip caused by osteoporosis or osteopenia carry a high risk of pain, difficulty walking and lasting after-effects.”

Degenerative arthritis and frozen shoulder, which cause pain in the knee and shoulder joints, can also be aggravated by low atmospheric pressure, high humidity and the use of air conditioning. This is because differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures and cold drafts increase muscle tension and intensify pain. The hospital recommended that, rather than cutting down on movement, patients consult a specialist and then keep up walking, stretching and light strength training within a safe range.

Seniors with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes also need to take care to prevent dehydration. A lack of fluid in the body causes changes in blood pressure that increase the burden on the cardiovascular system, and raises blood viscosity, increasing the risk of blood clots. In severe cases it can lead to cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction. The proportion of hospital admissions caused by dehydration was also found to reach 1.4%. Diabetic patients in particular can be at even greater risk because blood sugar rises when they are dehydrated, so if symptoms such as dizziness, weakness in the arms and legs, slurred speech, difficulty breathing or chest pain appear, they should go to a hospital immediately.

Lee Ji-yeon, Chief of Nephrology at St. Peter's Hospital, stressed, "You do not have to drink water alone; it is good to top up your fluids sufficiently through fruit and vegetables rich in water as well," adding, "Patients with kidney disease, including chronic kidney disease, must consult a specialist to adjust their fluid intake appropriately."

Source: Asia Today (https://www.asiatoday.co.kr)