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Content Manager: Brenda Proffitt, MHA HEALING HANDS ARTICLES Healing Hands | December 2007 | Exposure-Related Conditions: Symptoms and Prevention Strategies THE HEALTH CARE OF HOMELESS PERSONS This easy to use and read manual is designed for clinicians and shelter staff. Sections cover communicable diseases and infections, major medications, heat-related conditions and cold-related injuries, emerging challenges, management of chronic illnesses, immunizations, food management in shelters and soup kitchens, and fact sheets in English and Spanish for clients. DIURETICS MAY EXACERBATE DEHYDRATION Persons who live on the streets or in shelters are at increased risk for dehydration in warmer climates, particularly during summer months. Be aware that diuretics can exacerbate dehydration and that limited access to water or bathroom facilities may interfere with treatment adherence. Work with service providers in your community to assure that homeless people have easy access to potable water and restrooms. Avoid prescribing diuretics if the patient does not have easy access to a restroom or will not be able to return for laboratory tests necessary for monitoring them. Read more about this and other practice recommendations for homeless patients with cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, hyperlipidemia and heart failure in the Network's Adapting Your Practice Series. HEAT INDEX For information about the Heat Index, visit NOAA's National Weather Service website. 
HEAT WAVEDownload this brochure, Heat Wave: A Major Summer Killer, which covers heat disorder symptoms, first aid and safety tips, heat index chart, and how heat affects the body. HEAT HEALTH INFORMATION This site, created and maintained by the City of Milwaukee Health Department, Heat Health Information, features a comprehensive plan for excessive heat conditions; a heat health alert level table that includes thresholds and action steps; PDF documents for download; and useful links. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN EXTREME HEAT  This page on extreme heat on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, includes tips and a prevention guide, general information about extreme heat, and links to resources for health professionals. NO ESCAPE FROM RECORD HEAT Homeless Dying with No Escape from Record Heat. This site links to others documenting heat-related deaths across the United States. The New Standard, Syracuse, NY, July 27, 2006. |