Beat the heat

Twice this week, I popped a pill to beat the heat. I do not like doing this as much as possible, but my headache caused by the extremely hot weather was getting in the way of my work. It leaves our household with very little choice but to leave the air-con working triple time. I expect our electricity bill to jack up along with the rising temperatures — (38 to 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country) — it’s crazy! And coming from the air-conditioned rooms and going outside is another story. Your system goes bananas! Did you just hear me sneeze?

Aside from colds, some people suffer from heat exhaustion. The other day, my colleague almost fainted during a coverage when we went to the evacuation center to give Sagip Kapamilya relief assistance to fire victims. He was all right while we were in the crew cab, but when we reached the evacuation center, he became pale and felt like fainting.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion, according to Mayoclinic.com, are feeling faint or dizzy; nausea; heavy sweating; rapid, weak heartbeat; low blood pressure; cool, moist pale skin; low-grade fever; heat cramps; headache; fatigue; and dark-colored urine.

Patients suffering from heat exhaustion must be taken under the shade and must elevate their feet a bit. Cool them down by applying cool compresses on the neck and armpits. Those suffering from heat exhaustion should be watched closely because heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke which is fatal. Special attention must be given to our elderly because they are more susceptible to heat stroke.

Why wait for heat exhaustion to happen? I am guilty of this. I only drink plenty of water when I get a headache due to the hot weather. Drink water even when you’re not thirsty is what the doctors advise. Take in 13 glasses of water... and apply sunblock!

I’m now taking my multivitamins. I usually take vitamins as a first aid when I feel like I’m getting sick but it shouldn’t be that way as it should be taken regularly. We should also drink less of coffee, a diuretic.

I never leave the house without an umbrella. It is not only advisable but “prescribed” because what you need is to go under a shade. It’s not enough that you wear a hat or light repellant wardrobe. A hat absorbs the heat from the sun, and notice how the heat penetrates into your clothes like steam when under the sun. Get an umbrella that fits into your bag.

What also works for me to beat the summer heat is exercise… indoors! I observed that I am prone to getting sick when I am sedentary so I still make it a point to hit the gym because exercising outdoors in this weather is a health risk. If outdoors, you may opt to go swimming to add some activity in this humid weather while keeping yourself cool.

Remember to stay cool, everyone. And don’t stress yourself out. Start your day today by watching Salamat Dok on ABS-CBN at 7:30 a.m. We will discuss heat exhaustion and ways to beat the heat.

After hearing Mass with your family, you can go spend the entire day in the mall for free aircon.

(I would love to hear from you. E-mail me at [email protected]. and follow me on Twitter: @bernadette_ABS.)