Medications & Heat Illness Risk in Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach residents taking certain medications face heightened danger during summer heat, according to Mary Smith, a local health advocate.

Common medications can suppress sweating, dull thirst, reduce blood flow, boost urination, and sensitize skin to sun exposure. These effects cause people to overheat faster, miss dehydration signals, and recover more slowly from heat illness.

Smith recommends drinking 8 to 12 cups of water daily. If plain water doesn't appeal, add fruit, calorie-free flavoring, or switch to tea or sparkling water. Avoid direct sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. by staying in libraries or other public buildings. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, wear hats, and limit alcohol and caffeine, which worsen dehydration.

Seek medical attention if you experience heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle cramps, confusion, rapid heartbeat, or extreme fatigue.

Store medications away from direct sunlight, hot cars, steamy bathrooms, and heat sources. Some require refrigeration. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider about how your medications interact with heat and sun. Do not stop or change medications without consulting your doctor, even during hot weather.