By Anna Valmero
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—With summer temperature in the Metro rising above 36 degrees, the Department of Health (DOH) urged the public, especially senior citizens, to drink at least 13 glasses of water to avoid dehydration and heat stroke.
The regular eight glasses of water daily intake is not enough during the warm season especially with high temperatures that can cause heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses, said DOH assistant secretary and chief of the National Epidemiology Center Eric Tayag.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency characterized as the most severe form of heat illness when the body overheats. Causes vary from hot and humid weather, to vigorous exercise in hot weather, dehydration, and too much direct exposure to the sun.
The signs of heat exhaustion include warm, flushed skin, dizziness, weakness, and headache.
Heat exhaustion may then progress to an emergency condition such as heat stroke if a person has a high fever of 41 degrees Celsius, rapid heartbeat, convulsion, delirium, and unconsciousness.
Meanwhile, heat stroke can be prevented by limiting the amount of time outdoors especiallyduring the hottest period of the day between 10a.m. to 4p.m., avoiding alcohol and caffeine and wearing protecting clothing.
The health official also told the public to avoid taking too much energy drinks in place of water because energy drinks have high caffeine content.
Aside from drinking water, eating juicy fruits such as watermelon and drinking coconut juice as alternative to energy drinks is encouraged.
If a person becomes a victim of heat stroke, move the person to indoors and have them lie down with their legs elevated. If they are conscious, have them sip cool water and and apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles, and groins. Bring them to the nearest hospital after giving first aid.
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