Pangasinan health office cautions public vs heat stroke

By Liezle Basa Inigo

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Provincial Health Office here advised the public to take precautionary measures against suffering heat stroke, which, it warned could be fatal.

                PHO Head Dr. Anna De Guzman issued the warning after a scorching 50 degrees Centigrade was recorded at around 2  p.m. on Monday, May 4, in Dagupan City.

Fortunately, De Guzman said there was no case of heatstroke that was reported in the province.

The sweltering heat across the country persisted as the heat index readings reached dangerous to extremely dangerous levels in five Luzon-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) monitoring stations on Monday afternoon (May 4).

The PAGASA stations with the highest heat indexes recorded at around 2 p.m. on Monday were located Dagupan City, Pangasinan (50 degrees Celsius); Sangley Point, Cavite City (50 degrees Celsius) Ambulong, Tanauan City, Batangas (48 degrees Celsius); Science City of Munoz (47 degrees Celsius); and Tuguegarao City (47 degrees Celsius)

Heat index is the measurement of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. It is higher by at least 2 to 3 degrees Celsius from the actual air temperature.

Expect “danger” if the heat factor is between 41 and 54 degrees Celsius as heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, while heat stroke is probable with continued activity.

De Guzman urged the public to avoid direct sunlight exposure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and suggested the use of head gears like hats and umbrellas if staying outdoors cannot be avoided.

People must stay hydrated by drinking at least 10 glasses of water daily and avoid intake of coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol.

Signs of heat exhaustion may include warm and flushed skin, faintness, dizziness, weakness, headache, very high fever, rapid heartbeat, convulsion, and unconsciousness.

Although, there has been recorded no case of heat stroke yet this summer season, private hospitals in the province recorded many cases of hypertension.