By Che Palicte
Heatstroke or sunstroke is the most serious form of heat injury during summer. If unattended, heatstroke can cause severe health problems, or worse–death.
But this summer season in the Philippines, heat from the sun is coupled with the heated campaigning and political circus, as the May 2013 polls nears. Such deadly combination of heat recently led to the death of two candidates while in the midst of the campaign.
Rafael Legaspi Sr, a candidate for councilor in Binalonan town, Pangasinan and re-electionist Mayor Jerome Alcantara of Donsol, Sorsogon were the latest victims of heatstroke in the country this summer.
Heat stroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Although heat stroke mainly affects people over age 50, experts say it can also take a toll on healthy young athletes.
Technically, medical studies say that heat stroke often occurs as a progression from milder heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat exhaustion. But it can strike even if you have no previous signs of heat injury.
It results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures — usually in combination with dehydration — which leads to failure of the body›s temperature control system. The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures. Other common symptoms include nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation, and sometimes loss of consciousness or coma.
Now, combine such detailed medical definitions to the realities of political campaigns, from financial needs to maintaining people on the frontlines, facing intrigues and all sorts of mudslinging plus threats to safety, one can say that politicians now are facing real danger of falling to heat stroke.
To fight heatstroke, some local candidates in Davao City interviewed by EDGE Davao said they strategize their campaign sorties in order to avoid too much exposure to the sun.
Leo Avila, for instance, a candidate for councilor in the first district said he campaigns early in the morning and ends at around 10:00 a.m. to avoid extreme heat, then resumes by 3:00 p.m.
Boni Militar, another candidate for councilor in the first district, bared that drinking a lot of water before and after campaign sorties keeps him hydrated. He starts his campaign at 6:00 a.m. ends at 9:00 in the morning, then resumes at 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.
Angelo Aportadera, a candidate for councilor in the second district, said hats or umbrellas are good protectors against heat while congressional bet for first district Luis Bonguyan takes a shower three times a day to maintain his stamina during campaign period.
Reported incidents of heat stroke have frightened candidates here who campaign from house to house in the heat of the sun.
With the weather forecasting agency declaring the entry of summer late last month, temperatures in some parts of the country, including Davao City, hit over 35 degrees Celsius.
The DOH also advises the public to drink eight to 12 glasses of water a day to avoid heat stroke and not to stay under the sun too long.
Mary Divine Hilario officer in-charge of DOH Davao City said heatstroke is caused by dehydration and humid environment.
Fainting is the first sign of heatstroke accompanied by severe headache, muscle weakness, vomiting and rapid and shallow breathing.
The doctors advised that if you suspect that someone has a heat stroke, immediately call 911 or transport the person to a hospital. Any delay seeking medical help can be fatal.
While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, initiate first aid. Move the person to an air-conditioned environment — or at least a cool, shady area — and remove any unnecessary clothing.
If possible, take the person’s core body temperature and initiate first aid to cool it to 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If no thermometers are available, don’t hesitate to initiate first aid.
