When the dog days of summer deliver hot temperatures and high humidity like we have been experiencing this week, staying cool is more than a matter of comfort, it is a matter of good health.

“It’s important to be aware that some medical conditions and medications can affect your body temperature,” said Health Commissioner Julie Miller. “Conditions such as heart disease, alcoholism, respiratory disease and diabetes can make it easier for the body to overheat, increasing the possibility of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”

According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health, medications that can affect the body’s ability to deal with excessive heat include almost all psychotropic drugs, diuretics, anti-Parkinson medications, amphetamines, beta-blockers and narcotic pain medications.
Common psychotropic medications include Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Seroquel, Wellbrutrin, Zyban and Zoloft. (READ MORE)