Provincial Health Offices (PHO) in Aklan and Capiz called on the residents to take extra precaution to prevent being downed by summer ailments.
The common summer diseases’ names start with letter S, according to the Aklan PHO chief Dr. Cornelio Cuachon: sore eyes, sunburn, sipon at ubo (colds and cough), suka at diarrhea (stomach ailments), skin diseases, and sakmal ng aso (dog bite, which leads to rabies).
To prevent stomach ailments, for instance, people should watch what they eat, Cuachon said in a radio interview. “Food easily gets spoiled when the temperature is high.”
Cuachon also advised the public to practice proper hygiene to avoid skin diseases, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and get enough sleep. They should also eat nutritious food and seek immediate medical help when not feeling well, he said.
The hot weather may also trigger hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, said Joeffry Espiritu, information officer of Capiz PHO.
A total of 170,000 Filipinos die from cardiovascular diseases every year, up from 85,000 more than 20 years ago, a recent Department of Health study showed.
Espiritu said the hot weather may also cause respiratory problems, skin diseases and other infectious ailments.
Ayr Altavas, also a Capiz PHO information officer, said heat stroke and food poisoning are also common during summer.
The Capiz health information officers advised the public to take more fluids, do regular exercise and take enough rest.
“Increased water and fruit intake will prevent us from restlessness and dehydration,” they stressed.
The Aklan and Capiz health officials also warned against dengue, which is now a year-round disease, and sunlight exposure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the period when heat is extreme. (PIA/PN)
