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These days, most of my kids' afternoons at home are spent inside our air-conditioned bedroom. My hubby and I agreed that it would be better to have them stay inside during the hottest hours of the day—especially our child with special needs, who is very prone to pulmonary problems– than expose them to the effects of extreme heat.
It was a couple of weeks ago, I think, when our room thermometer read 38 degrees Centigrade. No wonder even I had to scoot inside the bedroom to relieve a growing headache instead of continuing to work at the computer in the living room. I also make sure to only go out on important errands during the day, always with an umbrella ready to deflect the direct heat of the sun.
The curious thing is, many kids would still prefer being out and about under the hot sun, unmindful of their own safety, as long as they are with friends and are having a good time. I am all for encouraging children to do outdoor activities and exercises but the danger of them getting heatstroke, especially during this particularly hot summer, is something parents should be very concerned about.
Nerissa M. Dando, M.D., who specializes in Clinical Toxicology, Adolescent Medicine and General Pediatrics and holds clinics at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City and The Medical City in Pasig, affirms that prolonged exposure to extreme heat and humidity or strenuous exercise can damage the body's heat-regulating mechanism. "Heat exhaustion, which is the milder form of heat stroke, occurs when there is excessive loss of body fluid and salt," she explains. "This is common among [those who are on vacation and] who spend long hours under the sun or engage in rigorous physical activities."
Dr. Dando also mentions that, "Certain intake of medications, like amphetamines for ADHD patients, some dietary supplements and neuroleptics or major tranquilizers, and chronic mental or heart illnesses may also predispose children to heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses."
What you can do
Last March, news programs reported a teenager from Iloilo who collapsed, and later died, from heat stroke after playing basketball and attending a fiesta. Early this month, a radio reporter was also reported to succumb to heat stroke. Avoid having members of your family suffer this dangerous condition. Dr. Dando shares several things to keep in mind:
1. Avoid extreme heat. Don't stay under the sun for long periods of time. Pass up physically demanding activities during the hottest time of the day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Instead, encourage indoor activities during these hours.
2. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably cool water, when exposed to heat (this includes sunbathing) or when doing strenuous activities to prevent dehydration. Avoid giving soda to kids and remind adults to keep away from coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks.
3. Hydrate. Wet down or apply mist to the body using a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.
4. Go light. Wear light clothes like t-shirts and shorts when doing rigorous activities.
5. Get protected. Put on hats, sunglasses, and light colored and loose clothes when going out.
6. SPF. Use sunscreen that has at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 to prevent sunburn.
7. Breathing space. Do not bundle babies heavily in their crib. Do not leave children inside a car or room without airconditioning or proper ventilation for long periods of time.
What to watch out for
Symptoms of heat stroke, according to Dr. Dando, include tiredness; weakness; dizziness; nausea and vomiting; headache; muscle cramps in the limbs; abdomen and back; hot, flushed and dry skin; rapid shallow breathing; decrease or suspension of sweating; rapid pulse; restlessness; anxiety and confusion; red, swollen eyes; rapid rise in body temperature when sweating stops; and seizure and loss of consciousness, which may eventually lead to coma and death.
"When a child loses consciousness or has seizures, he should be brought immediately to the ER (emergency room)," advises Dr. Dando. She adds that parents should be alert for other indications that the condition already warrants medical attention. "Warning signs may include the following: an extremely high body temperature; red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion."
First Aid for Heat stroke
Dr. Dando enumerates several first aid tips you can do in case your child becomes a victim of heat stroke:
1. Have your little one rest lying down or in a half-sitting position in a cool, shady place (in an air-conditioned room, if possible) to avoid further exposure to heat
2. Remove thick clothing or completely take all clothes off. Fan the patient to promote sweating and evaporation and let him drink plenty of fluids to re-hydrate.
3. Apply cool or tepid water to the skin such as spraying using a garden hose; constantly sponge bathing him with cold water; or immersing the child in a tub of cool water. You can also cover the child with a wet sheet, keeping the fabric damp all the time to cool him down and re-hydrate the skin.
4. Place ice packs under the armpits and groin area to cool down the body faster.
5. Monitor body temperature with a thermometer every five minutes to assess the progress of the cooling efforts and interventions.
6. In case a seizure occurs or there is muscle twitching due to heat stroke, keep the child from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids to avoid aspiration.
7. If there is vomiting, turn the child on his side to make sure his airways remain open.
8. If the child exhibits the warning signs mentioned above, call an ambulance or take him to the ER of the nearest hospital.
Dr. Nerissa Dando's clinics are located at Room 28, San Juan de Dios Hospital, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City and at the Adolescent Wellness Center, The Medical City, Pasig City.
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