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MANILA, Philippines — Wear light-colored clothes. Drink lots of cold water and stay out of the sun.
The Department of Health (DOH) dispensed these tips on Sunday to help the public avoid heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition, during the summer season.
The weather bureau officially declared the start of summer last week, warning of blistering temperature in the coming months. Heat stroke, characterized by an elevated body temperature, is one of the most common summer illnesses that the health agency advised the public to be cautious about.
The absence of sweat despite the hot weather is a symptom of heat stroke that must not be ignored, according to Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag, a medical doctor.
“Keep in mind that if you are not perspiring anymore, that is already a danger sign for heat stroke because sweat cools down our body,” said the health official in an interview with reporters.
While it would be hard to discourage people, especially those out on a beach holiday, from staying outdoors, Tayag suggested to limit sun exposure while wearing the appropriate clothes.
Thin, loose and light-colored clothes must be worn when outdoors for a long period of time. One must also drink plenty of water and other cold fluids to promote perspiration and help the body maintain a normal temperature, said Tayag.
Placing wet towels, ice and other coolants in key parts of the body could also help prevent heat stroke, he added. “Anything that will help cool your body down is good to prevent heat stroke,” said Tayag, noting that infants, the elderly, athletes and outdoor workers could be vulnerable to the disease.
Failure to act promptly on the symptoms of heat stroke—which includes nausea, vomiting, flushed skin, headache and confusion—lead to shock, seizure, brain damage, comatose and even death, according to Tayag.
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