ACCORDING to weather-forecast.com, for 10 straight days beginning April 1, Cagayan de Oro city will experience hot sunny days as temperature soars highest at 30 degrees Celsius. Summer time has indeed set in. For most students, it is the best season of the year: no classes, all night gimmicks and parties, off-shore vacations, and the seemingly unlimited pool and beach picnics.
But before donning your provocative swim wear and flaunting some skin, summertime also poses some health risks that include heatstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
“Heatstroke is a severe life-threatening failure of the thermoregulatory mechanisms resulting in an excessive rise in body temperature greater than 40 degrees Celsius.”
In general, there are two types of heatstroke: (1) classic or nonexertional - a consequence of exposure due to high environmental temperature; and (2) exertional - due to strenuous exercises and prolonged sun exposure most common to athletes and laborers.
According to Pathophysiology, classic heatstroke is most commonly experienced among the elderly and disabled persons. This may be explained by the fact that elderly persons may have diminished their ability to perceiving environmental temperature changes. As such, they may fail to recognize that the temperature is already unbearable and unhealthy. Therefore, they take no measure to at least ventilate or cool themselves. They may also have a decreased ability to sweat and sense thirst.
On the other hand, persons with disabilities, particularly those whose movements are restricted or limited are at risk of heatstroke because they fail to undertake measures such as removing their clothing, moving to cooler environments or the mere act of drinking fluids.
Meanwhile, healthy adults, adolescents and children who are exposed to excessive heat while on a picnic are at risk for exertional heatstroke. “Symptoms of heatstroke include: tachycardia [increased heart rate], hyperventilation [labored and increased breathing], dizziness, emotional lability, nausea, vomiting, confusion, delirium, blurred vision, convulsions and collapse.”
A related condition to heatstroke is called heat exhaustion. This occurs due to the gradual loss of salt and water in the body, usually after prolonged and heavy activity in a hot environment. Its symptoms include thirst, nausea, low urine output and delirium. Experts maintain that the best first aid treatment for someone experiencing heat exhaustion is to place the person in a cool environment and to replace adequate salt and water needs.
Another related condition is the Heat Cramps. This is usually manifested by slow, painful, skeletal muscle cramps and spasms that last from one to three minutes. According to health experts, the cramps occur due to salt and water depletion after going through heavy sweating.
For any of these heat-related conditions, health experts suggest that treatments consist of rapidly reducing the body temperature. However, they emphasize that in doing so, care must be taken so that cooling measures do not cause the patient to shiver as such mechanism releases more heat than is what was already lost.
“One cooling method involves submersion in cold water or application of ice packs, and spraying the body with tepid water while a fan is used to enhance heat dissipation by convection.”
Other interventions include: (1) removing the patient’s top clothing; (2) drinking fluids except alcohol and caffeine-containing liquids as these may intensify fluid loss; (3) covering the individual with cool damp sheets while fanning the face; (4) bring the person to an air conditioned room; and (5) should ice packs be used, apply them on the armpit, groin and chest areas to speed cooling.
Lastly, take note that sun blocks and sunscreens do protect you from heat strokes. Should you intend to sunbathe, always remember to shade yourself every now and then, drink fluids at intervals and always bring a hat or umbrella with you. Summer is meant to be fun: not pathologic. So, bask in sunshine and enjoy the summer!
Source: Pathophysiology: Cocepts of Altered Health State
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