Don’t treat heat stroke lightly, warns health expert

KOTA BARU: Malaysia is now experiencing the El Nino phenomenon and the people have been reminded not to treat the risk of heat stroke lightly as it can be fatal, says a public health expert.

Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the people, especially Muslims, need to be alert especially during the month of Ramadan, as they are facing hot and dry conditions for a long period of time, which is more than 10 hours due to fasting.

He said if a person suffers from heat stroke, it can cause a person to faint in the early stages.

They can also become unconscious and go into coma, especially those with comorbidities.

“Some people are still underestimating the risk of heat stroke and think that it is normal, but it can lead to death,” he told Bernama.

Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Family Medicine consultant Dr Rashidi Mohamed Pakri said that among the efforts to prevent heat stroke is limiting outdoor activities.

He said people should drink enough water to avoid dehydration, avoid wearing clothes that are too thick, shower as often as possible and also not be in vehicles for a long period of time, especially during the day.

In fact, one should not go from a cold place straight to a place with a high temperature as it will affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature and at the same time risk inviting heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.

“If an individual has symptoms including a body temperature above 40°C, sweating, heart palpitations, feeling nauseous and vomiting, he should immediately go to the hospital,” Dr Rashidi said.

Recently, the National Disaster Management Agency announced one new death due to heat stroke was reported last week, bringing the number of heat-related deaths to two.

The first death involved a 22-year-old individual in Pahang on Feb 2, while the second victim involved a three-year-old boy in Kelantan who died last Monday.