Preventing heat-related illnesses
IN our part of the world, we are accustomed to hot and humid weather all year round.
Indeed, basking in the sun’s rays (or burning to a crisp depending on who you ask) on a daily basis is something most of us take for granted.
But with more warm weather predicted to be on the way, Sarawakians may unknowingly find themselves at greater risk of heat-related illnesses, including sunstroke, as temperatures rise due to the approaching dry season and the perennial ominous spectre of haze resulting from land-clearing activities as well as forest and peat fires.
WATER RELIEF: Swimmers enjoying a cooling respite from the heat at a local public swimming. pool.
Weather not helping
Despite the heavy intermittent showers lashing Sarawak of late, sweltering weather temperatures are expected to stay put for sometime, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET).
The southwest monsoon season which officially runs from June to August, is unlikely to bring much relief from the heat.
Average rainfall across Sarawak is expected to be normal with the exception of Miri and Limbang which are expected to experience between 20 to 40 per cent less rainfall in June.
The haze is not helping the situation either as it traps surface heat and prevents it from dissipating into the atmosphere.
As temperatures rise, local health authorities are urging the public to take precautions to minimise the risks of falling victim to heat-related illnesses.
Potentially fatal
A spokesperson from the State Health Department (SHD) told thesundaypost that a person is at risk of heatstroke (also known as sunstroke) when his or her body retains heat faster than it can expel it.
Heatstroke occurs when the body’s natural mechanism to control body temperature (ie sweating) fails. Information available on the American Red Cross (ARC) website (http://www.redcross.org) states that if left untreated, heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death.
ARC lists three heat-related illnesses of which heat cramps are the least severe, followed by heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Persons at risk
The SHD spokesperson, who is also a senior doctor, said so far most of the heat-related incidences he has come across concern army and police personnel suffering from prolonged exposure to heat as a result of strenuous outdoor activity.
He reasoned that this was possibly because most people would naturally stay indoors or in the shade during hot weather.
“There are no fixed rules when it comes to deciding what constitutes prolonged exposure. For some individuals, even just one hour under the sun is enough to cause heatstroke,” the senior doctor cautioned.
“The risk is greater if they are engaged in endurance activities, like running a marathon.”
Children, the elderly and individuals with health problems are also more vulnerable to heatstroke.
“Children have a relatively large surface area compared to adults,” the SHD spokesperson said.
“They lose heat easily but they also absorb heat easily. As for the elderly, their bodies may not be as effective in regulating body temperature due to age.
“Individuals who have health problems such as diabetes and hypertension are also more vulnerable.
“People tend not to notice gradual increases in temperature, which makes the dangers of heat-related illnesses more insidious during times of seasonal hot weather.
“When a person gets heatstroke, it is already at the most serious stage,” the senior SHD doctor emphasised.
“It can affect your neurosystem and cause patients to experience altered awareness and eventually, coma.”
First-aid
If a person suspects he or she, or someone they know is suffering from a heat-related illness, it is critical they seek professional medical help immediately.
Among first-aid measures which members of the public can do while waiting for medical help to arrive is to sponge the person’s body with tap water and use fans to help circulate air around the patient.
“If the person can still sip water without throwing up, that is a good thing because it means it is not so severe,” said the SHD doctor.
“But at the other end of the spectrum, if a person cannot consume liquids due to extreme nausea, then we have to administer saline solutions to replace lost fluids and use other means to help restore the body temperature balance.”
The senior SHD doctor also said he does not recommend immersing a person’s body in cold water as the sudden change in temperature maybe counter-effective.
Awareness the key
The senior SHD doctor agreed that when it comes to preventing heat-related illnesses, two of the best things the public could do are to listen to what their bodies are telling them and to use common sense, such as staying indoors as much as possible and drinking more water.
“Humans need to replace lost fluids to maintain the body’s natural balance. To prevent dehydration, they should consume water and electrolytes, such as isotonic drinks or water mixed with rehydration salts,” he said.
“Another example, if you are carrying out strenuous activities such as marathons, the organisers should always have trained medical personnel on standby.”
He advised members of the public to reduce unnecessary outdoor activities where possible and to exercise precaution if they have to be outdoors or under direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
l Next week: Preventing sunstroke in pets.