Malaysians must be alert to early signs of heat stroke – Health dg

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Members of the public are advised to be alert towards early signs of heat stroke in the wake of the current hot and dry weather that hit the country.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the heat stroke occurred when the body temperature exceeds 40.5°Celsius compared with the normal body temperature of about 37°Celsius.

He said high body temperature would lead to complications to the nervous system of the brain, which could cause a person to experience seizures, coma and could lead to death.

“Among the early symptoms of heat stroke are throbbing headaches, nausea, lack of perspiration despite the soaring temperatures and racing heart rate.

“Other symptoms are weak muscles and spasms, vomiting, dry skin and redness, seizures and blackouts,”  he said in a statement issued via his Facebook account today.

Dr Noor Hisham also urged the public to take several immediate steps when facing hot weather conditions including avoiding recreational activities under the sun and to drink a large quantity of water regardless of level of physical activities.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department had previously reported that the country was currently experiencing a phase of the southwest monsoon season, which also caused the soaring temperatures.

The hot weather that hit most parts of the country was expected to last until this weekend, but the hot weather could still occur until the end of September.

--BERNAMA