Summer is a time for vacations, outdoor fun, and long days in the sun—but it also comes with health risks that shouldn’t be ignored, especially in the South where heat and humidity can be extreme. For adults with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, or kidney issues, the warmer months can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, medication complications, and more.
At Alpharetta & Cumming Internal Medicine, our internal medicine team works with patients year-round to help them stay healthy—especially when seasonal changes put added stress on the body. Here’s what every adult should know about heat-related health risks and how your internist can help you prepare, prevent, and protect your health during summer.
Why Internal Medicine Matters More in the Heat
Internal medicine is uniquely positioned to support adults through every season of life. Internists are trained to manage complex, chronic diseases—many of which can worsen or behave differently in hot, humid environments. Whether you’re living with high blood pressure, taking multiple prescriptions, or managing symptoms of diabetes or COPD, your internist can help customize a summer health plan that reduces risks and improves quality of life.
Heat and Heart Health: A Hidden Strain on Your Cardiovascular System
High temperatures place added demand on your cardiovascular system. When it’s hot, your body works to cool itself by dilating blood vessels and increasing circulation to the skin. This makes your heart pump harder and faster, particularly in older adults and those with cardiac conditions.
Internist Insight:
If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, this added workload can increase your risk of chest pain, arrhythmias, heart failure exacerbations, or stroke. Internists can:
- Review your cardiac medications to ensure they’re safe for hot weather
- Monitor for symptoms of fluid overload or electrolyte imbalance
- Recommend safe levels of activity and hydration
- Adjust medications like beta blockers or diuretics if they worsen heat intolerance
Clinical Tip: Patients on medications that affect thermoregulation—such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers—may not sweat effectively. This makes it harder to cool down and increases the risk of overheating.
Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance: More Than Just Thirst
Dehydration is more than a summer nuisance—it can be dangerous. Mild dehydration can affect cognitive function, blood pressure, kidney performance, and blood sugar levels. It also heightens the risk of fainting or falls in older adults.
Who’s Most at Risk?
- Adults over age 65 (natural thirst mechanisms decline with age)
- People with diabetes or kidney disease
- Patients on diuretics or laxatives
- Those with gastrointestinal illnesses (diarrhea/vomiting)
Internist Insight:
Internal medicine providers help prevent dehydration by:
- Reviewing medications that may increase fluid loss
- Monitoring labs for sodium, potassium, and creatinine during check-ups
- Educating patients on personalized fluid goals (especially if they have CHF or renal conditions)
- Recommending rehydration strategies with electrolyte-rich beverages, if appropriate
Did You Know? Dehydration can also mimic symptoms of dementia in older adults—confusion, irritability, and fatigue—which is why staying hydrated is critical.
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke: Know the Signs—and Who’s at Risk
As temperatures rise, heat-related illnesses become more common. Knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be life-saving.
Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:
- Profuse sweating
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Cool, pale skin
Heatstroke Symptoms (Medical Emergency):
- Body temperature above 103°F
- Confusion or altered mental status
- Rapid pulse
- Dry, flushed skin with no sweating
- Loss of consciousness
Internist Insight:
Internists educate patients—especially those who work outside, are physically active, or have medical vulnerabilities—on how to:
- Recognize symptoms early
- Monitor their temperature and hydration status
- Create emergency plans for at-risk individuals
- Reduce activity during peak heat hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Patients with neurological conditions, psychiatric illnesses, or those on anticholinergic or antipsychotic medications are especially prone to impaired temperature regulation—something internists can flag and adjust.
Sun Sensitivity and Your Medications
Did you know many medications prescribed by internists increase your sensitivity to sunlight? Known as photosensitivity reactions, these side effects can cause rashes, burns, or inflammation even with limited sun exposure.
Medications That Can Cause Sun Sensitivity:
- Antibiotics (doxycycline, ciprofloxacin)
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Antihypertensives (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide)
- Diabetes medications (glipizide, glyburide)
- Psychiatric medications (amitriptyline, antipsychotics)
Internist Insight:
Before you stock up on sunscreen, speak with your doctor if you’re on any of the above medications. Internists can:
- Alert you to any medication-related sun risks
- Recommend adjustments if needed
- Counsel on skin protection and when to seek dermatology referrals
Fun Fact: Wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), sun-protective clothing, and avoiding direct exposure during peak UV hours not only protects your skin—it can also prevent flare-ups of autoimmune conditions like lupus, which internists often help manage.
Summer Illnesses and Travel Health Planning
Summer also brings travel plans—and with that, exposure to viruses, contaminated food, and mosquito-borne illnesses. Internists can help you prepare with pre-travel consultations, especially if you’re heading to areas with:
- West Nile Virus (common in Southern states during summer)
- Tick-borne diseases (e.g., Lyme, Ehrlichiosis)
- International health risks (hepatitis, typhoid, malaria)
Internist Insight:
Our team can provide:
- Travel vaccines
- Anti-malaria prescriptions
- Guidance on safe food and water practices
- Travel letters for medications or devices
If you have a chronic condition, we can also prepare a travel plan, including medication adjustments, heat exposure precautions, and information for foreign medical care if needed.
Internists Are Your Year-Round Health Partners
Summer weather can magnify symptoms or destabilize previously well-managed conditions. Internists are not just there when you’re sick—we help prevent complications before they happen. Our training in adult medicine means we are equipped to:
- Manage multiple conditions at once
- Monitor medication side effects
- Adjust treatment plans based on seasonal factors
- Coordinate referrals to specialists when needed
Whether you’re heading to the lake, flying overseas, or simply enjoying your backyard, your internist can help you enjoy a safe and healthy summer.
Final Tips From Our Internal Medicine Team
Here’s what we recommend for all adult patients this summer:
- Schedule a summer wellness visit to review medications and chronic conditions
- Hydrate consistently and track your water intake—especially if you take diuretics or blood sugar–lowering medications
- Check your medications for sun sensitivity and heat-related risks
- Stay indoors during extreme heat, and wear light, breathable clothing
- Don’t ignore early symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, or irregular heart rate
- Update travel vaccines and prescriptions before your summer trips
Book Your Summer Health Check Today
Your internist is your first line of defense against seasonal health risks. Whether you’re managing a chronic illness or just need a proactive check-up, our team is here to help you stay cool, hydrated, and healthy this summer.
To schedule an appointment with one of our Board-Certified internists, call us at (770) 475-2377 or conveniently request an appointment via our ‘Contact Us’ form on our homepage.
