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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Triple-digit temperatures are back in southern Arizona, and Pima County is working to prevent as many heat-related deaths as possible.<\/p>\n
Health officials said they are seeing a \u201cquiet culprit\u201d show up in the data: common medications that can change how the body reacts to extreme heat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really noticing that there\u2019s a medication interaction with how their body\u2019s reacting to heat,\u201d said Betsy Camara with the Pima County Health Department\u2019s Heat Relief and Response team.<\/p>\n
The Pima County Health Department said nearly 50 commonly used medications \u2014 including antidepressants, prescription painkillers, and blood pressure medications \u2014 can interfere with the body\u2019s ability to cool itself.<\/p>\n
Officials warn that this can leave people more vulnerable when temperatures climb.<\/p>\n
Camara said the department is hearing from residents who didn\u2019t realize their prescriptions could add risk during extreme heat.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were like, \u2018I had no idea, I\u2019m on this medication,\u2019 or \u2018my husband\u2019s on this medication. Let me talk to them about it,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added the issue may be more widespread than initially thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more common than I think we first thought,\u201d Camara said.<\/p>\n
With triple-digit heat returning, the department is pushing new outreach aimed at people taking those medications and encouraging them to talk with medical providers about heat safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s talking with providers, it\u2019s talking with doctors, it\u2019s talking with primary care physicians,\u201d Camara said.<\/p>\n
Officials say the goal is to reach patients in new ways, before heat illness becomes an emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can we reach these patients in a different way because we\u2019re not currently reaching them with the messaging?\u201d Camara said.<\/p>\n
Health officials also urge residents to recognize heat exhaustion early.<\/p>\n
Signs can include thirst, muscle cramps, and nausea. Anyone who needs immediate help should call 911.<\/p>\n
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