DOH Shares Tips On Preventing And Treatment Of Heat Strokes

The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public on Friday about ways of preventing and managing heat strokes.

Heat stroke can also be considered as a medical emergency that is requiring immediate medical attention.

In its public advisory, the DOH said there is no room to dilly-dally when one is suffering from heat stroke.

The advisory was issued after a female trainee of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) died of heat stroke last Monday in Laguna.

“Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Bring the patient immediately to the hospital after instituting emergency measures,” the DOH stressed in the advisory.

Since the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) made the recent announcement that the public should expect hotter temperatures to persist in the coming weeks as the summer season comes closer, there is a need for people to remember again the basic knowledge about handling heat stroke.

When suffering from a heat stroke, the body overheats and can’t cool down by sweating because of dehydration.

The risk of getting a heat stroke increases during hot and humid weather, especially if someone is engaged in physical activities, dehydrated, or has been directly exposed to the sun for too long.

Some signs of heat stroke include warm skin, faintness, dizziness, weakness, headache, very high fever of 41°C, rapid heartbeat, convulsion, and unconsciousness.

The first aids include moving the person to a shady spot or indoors; having him/her lie down with legs elevated; having him/her sip cool water; removing clothing, applying cool water to the skin, and fanning the person; and applying ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles and groin.

In order to avoid heat stroke, the public is advised to limit the amount of time spent outdoors and to drink plenty of water and avoid tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol as beverage.

The advisory also says that wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved clothing when outdoors will help in lessening the feeling of extreme hot temperature.

The DOH also advises that strenuous activities and exercise must be scheduled either at the beginning or end of the day, when the temperature is cooler. (PNA) SCS/LSJ/EDS