Heat exhaustion downs Leni; DOH issues stroke alert

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to take precautionary measures with the steadily rising temperatures as Vice President Leni Robredo canceled her visit to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija yesterday after suffering from heat exhaustion.

DOH spokesman Eric Tayag yesterday said heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the temperature hits 42 degrees Celsius.

“Heat stroke can mimic heart attacks and strokes. Most vulnerable are the senior citizens because their thermostat does not function like when they were young. Those who are working outdoors like the traffic enforcers, the commuting public and people in vehicles that do not have air-conditioning units are also vulnerable to heat stroke,” Tayag said.

“She has fully recovered but has been advised to rest for the remainder of the afternoon,” the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said in a statement on Robredo’s condition.

Robredo led the closing celebration of Women’s Month in Baler, Aurora yesterday morning and was supposed to proceed to Cabanatuan City for the turnover of water pumps to a Badjao-Tagalog community.

Tayag advised the public to limit the time they spend outdoors when the weather is hot and humid to prevent dehydration.

People, he said, should wear wide-brimmed hats when going outside and change clothes when sweating profusely.

“Avoid wearing long-sleeved clothing when there is no air-conditioning. Place your wrist under running water or put ice on your nape or neck to cool yourselves down. Drinking anything with caffeine will make you urinate more that can lead to dehydration,” Tayag added.

A DOH advisory defines heat stroke as a “most severe form” of heat illness that occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down.

Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, headache, fainting, fever reaching 41 degrees Celsius, rapid heartbeat, convulsion and warm, flush skin.

Patients must be placed in a shady spot or indoors and have them lie down with their legs elevated.

“If possible, have the patient sip cool water. Remove his clothing, dab cool water on his skin or fan him. Ice packs may be placed under his armpits, wrists, ankles and groin,” the advisory stated.

Tayag advised the public against swimming in Manila Bay, as the water is teeming with germs and harmful to health.

He urged local government units to put up artificial pools for the public so people will not be tempted to swim in Manila Bay.

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) advised its men to take necessary precautions after one of its officers reportedly died of heat stroke on Saturday morning.

There were conflicting reports on the cause of death of Police Officer 3 Leo Marcelo, as his medical certificate has yet to be released. Some MPD officers said Marcelo died of heart attack.

Marcelo was sitting near a police precinct in Lawton at around 2:30 a.m. when he complained of chest pain to his companion Police Officer 1 Hope Lardizabal.

Marcelo stood up to buy a bottle of water but he collapsed, according to Lardizabal. He was declared dead on arrival at the Manila Medical Center.

MPD director Senior Supt. Bartolome Bustamante reminded his men to protect themselves from the heat. – With Helen Flores, Rey Galupo