The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday said government hospitals are well-prepared to handle medical emergencies caused by extreme heat.
鈥Laging handa ang ating mga ospital,听whether Holy Week or not,听para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan鈥澨(Whether Holy Week or not, our hospitals are ready to meet the healthcare needs of our countrymen),鈥澨齭aid Ma. Rosario S. Vergeire, officer-in-charge of the Health department, during a forum.
The department anticipates cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, she noted.
鈥淓辩耻颈辫辫别诲听ang ating mga ospital. Hindi kailangan ng听specialized services听para bigyang lunas ang ganitong mga insidenteng pangkalusugan听(Our hospitals are equipped. Incidents such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke do not require specialized services),鈥 she added. 听
The Philippine Statistics Authority lumps all types of stroke into one aggregate number, so there is not any disaggregated number for heatstroke, according to Ms. Vergeire.听听
The health emergency and management bureau, however, has incident reports of heat exhaustion, she said. These reports include 85 students from the national high school of Cabuyao in Laguna on March 23, and 33 individuals from four high schools in Valenzuela City on March 9.
Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion can prevent the condition from progressing to a heatstroke, according to experts.听
鈥淭he heat is really, really oppressive,鈥 Ms. Vergeire said.听
鈥Tag-init na po. Kailangan nating mag-ingat听(It鈥檚 already summer. We need to be careful),鈥 she noted. 鈥Hindi po pinipili ang edad sa…heat exhaustion听at听heatstroke (People of all ages can听experience heat exhaustion and heatstroke).鈥澨
There are three heat-related syndromes: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.听听occur during heavy exercise in hot environments; it can be relieved by cooling down, drinking an electrolyte-containing sports drink, and massaging the affected muscle group.听听
Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, is a result of the body overheating because of exposure to high temperatures – usually coupled with high humidity 鈥 as well as strenuous physical activity. Its symptoms include heavy sweating, faintness, dizziness, nausea, and headache.听听
鈥淗eatstroke warrants immediate ER (emergency room) consult,鈥 said Ramon B. Larrazabal, Jr., an internist. 鈥淲ith heat exhaustion, you can do some home measures like keep the person cool. Let them rest and drink up on fluids.鈥澨听
Heat exhaustion is all the symptoms of heatstroke but without the neurologic symptoms and body temperature of 41 degrees Celsius, he added.听听
The neurologic symptoms make the condition more urgent.听听
鈥淎 person with heatstroke will show signs of an altered mental status,鈥 Mr. Larrazabal told听大象传媒听in an April 4 message on Twitter. 鈥淸They] will have neurologic symptoms such as agitation, convulsion, slurred speech, and seizures.鈥澨听
鈥淚f a patient experiences any of the symptoms above, they are advised to go to the ER for proper evaluation and further management,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is to prevent a worse and irreversible outcome.鈥澨
Mr. Larrazabal offered the following tips:
Take a break:听Limit the amount of time spent outdoors, especially under direct exposure to the sunlight. Take regular breaks by stepping under a tree or a cool, shaded place for a few minutes. 听听
Bottoms up:听Apply water-resistant sunscreen that鈥檚 at least SPF 15 and reapply every two听hours. Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. 听听
Dress to impress:听Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes, preferably with breathable fabrics like cotton or synthetic ones that听repel sweat. Accessorize with a wide-brimmed hat. 听听
Plan:听Schedule outdoor and intense activities during the beginning or end of the day, when it鈥檚 cooler and there鈥檚 less sun. 听听
Put your best feet forward:听We sweat it out most in our feet, so wear well-ventilated footwear like slippers or sandals. For more formal occasions, choose well-ventilated shoes with socks that repel perspiration.听鈥 Patricia B. Mirasol
