Wake-up Call h e A lth c o R ne R Heatstroke (part 2)

Charlie Señase csenase@yahoo.com

Thesudden alarm sounded-off this week on the veracity of a possible make-up to cover-up of a multi-billion drug seizure allegedly in the hands of men in uniform. It all started when Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. bared initial findings that highranking police officials are involved in the transport of 990 kilos of Shabu worth P6.7 billion seized by the PNP’s series of operation late last year. Abalos implicated a certain MSgt Rodolfo Mayo as one of the suspects in the “biggest haul” ever that prompted the outright dismissal of Mayo from the service because the prohibited stocks were allegedly in his private safekeeping.

However, Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, head of the Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) flatly denied any attempt to coverup when he justified the decision to free Mayo, saying it was a “tactical move” with the approval of PNP Chief Director General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and with the imprimatur of former PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. The two ranking police officials have yet to comment on Domingo’s statement to the media.

Such news highlight is not meant to malign or defame the agency and personalities involved but as wake-up call for other government offices and instrumentalities to be honest and true to our mandated tasks as public servants. Thus, the need to police our rank-and-file is in order to foil a syndicated partners in crime operating with subtlety under the so-called conspiracy theory.

Anything self-centered for the love of money and material possessions are not of God but devilish. That God warns us of this worldliness through our lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes as signs of perilous times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1).

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, its constituents are bombarded with nonstopped initiatives by various ministerial offices of projects and programs meant to expand and strengthen health, economic, religious and social services with ample security as shown by media reports and press releases. That recipients and would-be recipients would gladly say anything good and right –just do it as a responsibility done in transparency and accountability.

What boggles the mind are reports this week of elected village officials gunned down in Muslim Mindanao that used to be the regional seat Central Mindanao or Region XII. These barangay chairs were killed in broad daylight that happened in Maitum, Sarangani; Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; Parang, Maguindanao del Norte; and Datu Hofer, Maguindanao del Sur. Authorities have yet to identify the suspects and the motive behind the slay plot as the scheduled village polls near.

Even the cause of the fire that gutted a passenger ferryboat lately that killed 32 while on a Basilan cruise have yet to be unearthed by probers. The victims, who were among the over 200 passengers, were aboard M/V Lady Mary Joy that came from Zamboanga City enroute to Jolo, Sulu.

During the weeklong contemplation of holiness among Christians had just ended, our Muslim counterpart are still engrossed in their monthlong Ramadhan with intent prayer and hope for a much secured and better life ahead to love one another in the midst of brewing global war and provocation as the PH-US and Australia are on a joint military exercises along with other countries in the world.

The sudden death this week of a North Cotabato-based media colleague Benny Egay Queman of Bandera News TV caught many by surprise. He was young and amiable, but death is God’s appointed irrespective of persons. God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours when many wonder why take too soon the life of a righteous man like Benny?

Limitactivity for at least several days to allow yourself to acclimate to the change. However, you may still have an increased risk of heatstroke until you’ve experienced several weeks of higher temperatures.

•A lack of air conditioning. Fans may make you feel better, but during sustained hot weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool down and lower humidity.

•Certain medications. Some medications affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if you take medications that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).

Stimulants for attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine also make you more vulnerable to heatstroke.

• Certain health conditions. Certain chronic illnesses, such as heart or lung disease, might increase your risk of heatstroke. So can being obese, being sedentary and having a history of previous heatstroke.

Complications

Heatstroke can result in a number of complications, depending on how long the body temperature is high. Severe complications include: clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won’t allow your body to cool properly.

• Vital organ damage. Without a quick response to lower body temperature, heatstroke can cause your brain or other vital organs to swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage.

Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.

• Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heatrelated problems if you take medications that can affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.

• Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 11 C) in 10 minutes.

It’s not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade. When your car is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.

• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can’t avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.

• Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you’re conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.

Go for more years together, Lei and Betty Leyretana. Since we are best of friends, we are giving in to the desire of Virgilio “Ley” to have his hat on photo here. However, we are posting another photo of the gregarious Ley the way we know and like him.

The couple at 58 years of marital bliss, is reaping the fruits of their labor , at the moment, both are vacationing with their two daughters , nurse-Lia, and physical therapist Yogi in the US. Or is it retiring there for good? If so, we shall miss your wit and laughter at our gatherings. Their only son, Kashmir tends to his business interests , and Betty’s Orchid collection in the country. Kashmir was our well-behaved handsome ring-bearer.

Flashback: Ley, as we called him, was a dashing, medical representative oozing with the signature Ilonggo charm, a regular fixture at the clinic of the late Dr. Balhaman, somewhere along Manday area. Adjacent to the clinic was the drugstore of Betty. How do I know? The same story goes for mine. Those days, in the late 60’s, the most eligible bachelors, were the “dayo”, not from Cotabato, my husband included. The medical representatives then were well dressed, not T-shirts, nor shorts, shiny black shoes, looking polished and good enough to eat, overall presentation driving their own cars, carrying the ubiquitous black bag loaded with free samples, and earning a king’s ransom. (ohh, those were the days)

Betty was a popular figure at Centro Escolar University where she earned her Pharmacy Degree. Statuesque, glamorous and friendly, easy to get along with, qualities that augur well for a lifetime of respect for each other, give and take relationship . Ley converted to Islam for Betty. Now is that not proof of true love? May you have many more blissful years together.

• Death. Without prompt and adequate treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.

Prevention

Heatstroke is predictable and preventable. Take these steps to prevent heatstroke during hot weather:

God’s WORD: The righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart. Merciful men are taken away while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace. They shall rest in their beds and each one walking in his uprightness (Isaiah 57:1-2). MC MC

• Wear loosefitting, lightweight

• Be cautious if you’re at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency