Fatal heat wave

By Alex P. Vidal

 “If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?”— Steven Wright

NOW that health experts have warned many Filipinos could suffer from killer heat wave expected to prolong with El Nino until May, there’s a need to also prepare before many of us are caught unprepared.

National Weather Service has warned that “human bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and — as the last extremity is reached — by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6 degrees.”  It warned further that the heart begins to pump more blood, blood vessels dilate to accommodate the increased flow, and the bundles of tiny capillaries threading through the upper layers of skin are put into operation.

“The body’s blood is circulated closer to the skin’s surface, and excess heat drains off into the cooler atmosphere.” It added.  “At the same time, water diffuses through the skin as perspiration. The skin handles about 90 percent of the body’s heat dissipating function.”

Even in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) has cautioned extreme heat events can be dangerous to health – even fatal.

These events result in increased hospital admissions for heat-related illness, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.

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Extreme heat events can trigger a variety of heat stress conditions, such as heat stroke. We’ve been warned heat stroke is the most serious heat-related disorder.

CDCP said it occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. Body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down.  It warned further this condition can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

Small children, the elderly, and certain other groups including people with chronic diseases, low-income populations, and outdoor workers have higher risk for heat-related illness.

Higher temperatures and respiratory problems are also linked. One reason, the CDCP said, is because higher temperatures contribute to the build-up of harmful air pollutants.

Many cities across the United States have reportedly seen large increases in death rates during heat waves.

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(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)