Heat Stroke: How To Protect Ourselves and the Ones We Love

(Bing and Shawy Sarmiento with their two lovely daughters)

A happy healthy family is wealth beyond compare.

      Summertime! What I love about it is the endless bonding moments with the kiddos; the family gatherings and school reunions not to mention all the yummy fruits in season and all the time in the world to visit beaches and resorts. There's one thing I can't get myself to love about it though- the heat! Exerting on a hot, humid day predisposes one to heat stroke- medically defined as a body temperature higher than 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) due to exposure to environmental heat which may result in brain damage and dysfunction of other vital organs. 

How do you know you or a loved one could be experiencing Heat stroke:

When exposed to extremely warm environment one should be wary of dizziness or a terrible headache  associated with nausea or vomiting and cramping feeling on one's muscles which could later progress to being confused and inability to comprehend others; a racing heart and gasping for air as one's body tries to compensate. As one's body temperature rises, one could note flushing on the skin with absence of sweating due to dehydration. When no immediate intervention is done one could lose consciousness and severe organ damage could ensue. 

What should we do:

Someone must call for help and arrange for the person to be transported to a medical facility as soon as possible at the same time moving the person to a cooler place and initiating cooling measures hastily like removing excessive clothing and wrapping the person in cold, wet linen or clothing, using ice or immersing the patient in water, a bathtub or lake or pool if accessible. Ice packs should be applied on the groins, axilla, head and neck. An electric fan blowing on the patient could help a lot until help arrives and the patient is taken to a hospital facility where advanced cooling measures could be initiated. Presence of mind and a calm aura is always an asset during medical emergencies such as heat stroke. 

How do we keep ourselves free from Heat Stroke?

Summer clothes were invented for a reason, those sleeveless, loose, light colored clothings are a must wear to keep our bodies cool! Drinking lots of fluids and eating hydrating fruits like melons and apples help a lot as well as scheduling our strenuous activities during not so warm times of the day which are early in the morning and just before evening sets in. Those with long standing diseases like hypertension or metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism should take their meds regularly and not risk themselves being exposed to extreme heat. Always keep your cool mentally too and take those much needed breaks in between work. And yes- do schedule a time for recreation with family and friends like swimming in the pool!

     The other week my family and I together with our kiddo's friends spent a relaxing time at a resort swimming in the pool and  just watching the world go by....Funny thing was it rained later in the afternoon! Where has summer gone we all exclaimed! The water turned a lot cooler after a while such the need for rheem pool heaters huge towels, hot drinks and human hugs after our pool indulgence. Extremes of temperature are a must to be avoided to keep our bodies healthy. Moments spent with loved ones are always the best moments whatever the weather is, that I can attest to! Sharing with you our summer smiles and laughter. 

 pool photos taken at La Playa Ursula,

#435 Sitio Paratong, Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union

SPECIAL THANKS TO BING AND SHAWIE SARMIENTO 

for allowing me to post their beautiful family photo