Here Come the Dog Days!
Dear Caregivers,
Much of Florida, as well as the rest of the U.S., is going through an intense heat wave. June 2024 was the warmest month on record in the nation, and there are currently record temperatures across the country. Here in Florida, we are used to hot days, but this week we are undergoing excessive heat warnings as well, with the heat index rising above 100 in many counties.
This all points to the fact that we are entering the “dog days of summer,” a hot summer period that typically runs from the beginning of July through the beginning of August. Contrary to how it sounds, the name has nothing to do with our canine friends — though furry dogs are especially miserable around this time. Rather, the phrase dates back to the ancient times of the Roman Empire, when sky-watchers noted that the brightest star in the sky, named “Sirius” and also commonly known as the “Dog Star,” rises in conjunction with the sun. The Romans erroneously believed that this bright “Dog Star” contributed to the hot temperatures that occurred at this time.
Along with the rise of the intense heat comes a more active season of tropical storms. The nation’s national weather service, NOAA, has predicted an above-normal 2024 hurricane season, due to a “La Nina” in the Pacific Ocean and ocean temperatures that are warmer than average.
All this points to you and your loved one being aware of, and prepared for, the worst that the weather can bring. Here are some guidelines:
How to Stay Hydrated:
About 60% of your body is made up of water. All systems in your body rely on water to function properly. Not having enough water in your body can reduce your energy and make you feel tired and dizzy and can harm your kidney function. Here’s how to stay hydrated.
Get Ready: Hurricane Preparedness:
The months of June, July and August mean months of heat, humidity -- and hurricanes! -- and present potential risks. But as your mother always said, “An ounce of prevention…” Here’s how to prepare.
Beating the Heat:
As summer temperatures climb into the 90s, older people are in danger of conditions caused by extreme heat, such as dehydration and hyperthermia, which can lead to heat exhaustion and its most serious form, heat stroke. Here’s how to stay cool.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.”
— Mario Fernández
