Cyclists, pedestrians urged to watch out for heatstroke, exhaustion amid dry season

Cyclists and pedestrians must take more precautions to protect themselves from heat stroke or heat exhaustion now that the dry season has set in, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

DOH Director IV Dr. Beverly Ho said active commuters must first check the weather, bring water and the correct gear, and wear the appropriate clothing before heading out.

Ho said heat exhaustion is characterized by cold and clammy hands, nausea, a rapid but weak heartbeat, and muscle cramps.

She advised cyclists and pedestrians to rest under the shade, drink water, and raise their legs to promote blood circulation if they begin feeling the symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Meanwhile, heatstroke is a more serious condition involving a throbbing headache, very dry skin, vomiting, and unconsciousness, among others.

“Anytime you have these symptoms, the advice is really to seek [consultation]. Kailangan pumunta na po sa health facility (You need to go to a health facility),” she said.

Ho also urged active commuters to “be more sensitive” to their bodies to avoid heat exhaustion or stroke.

“Kung alam natin na specifically sobrang init no’ng araw na ‘yun, we actually will advise that the cyclist or the pedestrian will have to stop from time to time, hindi ‘yung parang pipilitin nating matapos siya in a shorter period of time,” she said.

(If we are expecting high temperatures, we actually will advise that the cyclist or the pedestrian will have to stop from time to time instead of forcing themselves to finish [the trip] in a shorter period of time.)

The state weather bureau said this year’s dry season began in some parts of the Philippines in March.  — Julia Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News