DOH: Beware of heatstroke

With temperatures starting to rise, the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday urged the public to guard against heatstroke and to take the necessary precautions to stay healthy.

In an advisory, the DOH stressed that the risk of heatstroke, which is considered a medical emergency, increases during hot and humid conditions.

“It is the most severe form of heat illness when the body overheats and cannot cool down. The body cannot take off the excessive heat by sweating because of dehydration and/or humid environment,” the DOH said.

Last week, Vanessa Gannaban Teñoso, 28, a female police Special Action Force (SAF) trainee, died of heatstroke in Laguna province.

Teñoso was with a group of trainees and policemen at the weekly flag-raising ceremony in Camp Vicente Lim when she passed out.

Teñoso was initially taken to the bleachers to rest. After a few minutes, she regained her strength and was able to walk a few steps before passing out again.

She was then taken to the camp’s clinic and was being transferred to San Jose Hospital in Barangay Mayapa, also in Calamba, when she died.

Autopsy results showed that Teñoso suffered from a heart attack following a heatstroke, authorities said.

To avoid heatstroke, people should drink lots of water and avoid physical activity for long periods of time outdoors or under the heat of the sun, the DOH said.

To keep cool during the hot days, drink water rather than tea, coffee, soda and alcoholic beverages, it said.

When exposure to sun is unavoidable, the DOH said people must wear wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved clothing. Strenuous activities and exercise must be scheduled either at the beginning or the end of the day, when the temperature is cooler.