How Heat Waves Speed Up Aging

According to new research, repeated exposure to heat waves has an impact on what our biological aging can look like.

 

A team of researchers based out of the University of Hong Kong looked at regular, annual exposure to heat waves and how it impacted people, with a focus on how it ages us. What they found was that those individuals that are exposed to heat waves on a regular basis over a period of years tend to age at a faster rate than those individuals that are not exposed to these things.

 

Additionally, the team found that increases in temperature over time led to accelerated aging. There was adaptation to increases in temperature, but increased temps still led to faster aging.

 

 

This study focused on individuals in Taiwan and spanned from 2008 to 2022. Almost 25,000 adults were examined as part of this study.

 

The team published its findings in the scientific journal, Nature Climate Change. Luckily, the study was not without recommendations. They found that people in rural communities, those that worked outside for a living, and people without access to air conditioners were at a higher risk than other people. Simple access to an air conditioner can help to fight some of the damage done by heat waves. Interventions that can help, such as awareness and community action, can play a major role in helping to fight aging.

 

Of course, heat isn’t the only thing that accelerates aging. Lifestyle choices can also make a profound impact. Diet, levels of exercise, substance use, and managing things like blood pressure and cholesterol are also key components of living a healthier lifestyle. Again, these aren’t guarantees–genetics also play an important role in things. However, giving yourself and those that you love extra advantages when it comes to improving health can help someone to live a healthier and hopefully more rewarding life.

 

Prevention plays a large role in overall health. This can be easier for some than it is for others. This holds true for fighting the heat and it holds true for other aspects of health, too. When it comes to senior health, the best place to start is long before you are elderly. The sooner that someone starts taking precautionary measures, the better the odds are that they will have fewer health complications as they age.

 

Finding the right senior care can help older people live a higher quality of life, too. That’s why Paradise In-Home Care is focused on providing the best care that we possibly can to the people that we serve. If you’re unsure of where to start, feel free to give us a call. We offer free consultation sessions designed to answer your questions, give guidance for your unique set of circumstances, and get you steered in the direction of the resources that will best meet your family’s needs.

 

If you have questions about care, please feel free to get in touch. One of our professional caregivers will help get the conversation going and get your family connected to the assistance that will allow your family to thrive.