Hospitals have been reporting dozens of people with heat-related illnesses every day over the past week, given continuous high daytime temperatures, so recognizing the early signs of heatstroke is crucial in preventing serious complications, a Taipei City Hospital emergency physician said.
The Central Weather Administration yesterday issued a heat alert for 19 cities and counties across Taiwan, with temperatures in New Taipei City, Miaoli County and Pingtung County likely to exceed 38°C, and temperatures in 12 cities and counties likely to exceed 36°C for three days straight.
More than a dozen people were taken to hospitals for heat-related illnesses every day from July 2 to Thursday — with the daily number reported by hospitals ranging from 25 to 55 per day, data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday showed.
Photo: CNA
Heatstroke is a serious, heat-related illness that occurs when the body is unable to control its rising temperature and can be life-threatening, said Chung Ping-yen (鍾稟彥), an emergency physician at Taipei City Hospital’s Heping Branch.
Climate change has brought about more frequent extreme heat events, so understanding the risk of heatstroke, taking preventive measures, recognizing the symptoms and knowing the immediate proper treatment are becoming ever more important, he said.
Heatstroke is mainly caused by exposure to hot (35°C or higher) and humid weather for prolonged periods, as it is more difficult for sweat to evaporate off the skin and cool the body down, Chung said.
Other physiological factors, such as age and health, and exposure factors, including occupation and the medicines one is taking, might also affect an individual’s vulnerability to heat, he added.
Elderly people, young children, people with underlying health conditions or who are taking certain drugs, and people who need to work or exercise outdoors for long hours have an increased risk of heat stroke, he said.
“Recognizing the symptoms of heat stroke is important,” Chung said, adding that early symptoms include dizziness, a headache, nausea, a fast heartbeat, fast breathing or shortness of breath, and red, hot and dry skin.
If left untreated, the symptoms can worsen rapidly, and high fever (more than 40°C), confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness can occur, he said.
“It’s worth noting that a difference between heatstroke and heat exhaustion is that usually a person suffering a heatstroke has dry skin with no sweat, because their body’s heat-regulating mechanism has completely failed,” Chung said.
If a person is suspected to be having a heatstroke, other people should move them to a cool and shady area, remove their excess clothing and, if possible, put them in a cool shower, or place ice bags or cool wet towels over their body to help them cool down quickly, he said.
If the person is still conscious, they can be given water or sports drinks, but must avoid drinking too much water, he added.
In the case of severe heatstroke symptoms or unconsciousness, people must call for emergency medical help, and continue to monitor the person’s body temperature and consciousness while waiting for assistance, Chung said.
To prevent heatstroke, people should avoid going outside during the hottest hours (usually around noon to 3pm), Chung said, adding that if they must go outdoors in the heat, they should drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if they do not feel thirsty, and wear loose, lightly colored and breathable clothing.
Air-conditioning or fans can be used indoors to cool down, while those who need to work in high temperature environments should rest more often, Chung said.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
MILITARY AID: Taiwan has received a first batch of US long-range tactical missiles ahead of schedule, with a second shipment expected to be delivered by 2026 The US’ early delivery of long-range tactical ballistic missiles to Taiwan last month carries political and strategic significance, a military source said yesterday. According to the Ministry of National Defense’s budget report, the batch of military hardware from the US, including 11 sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 64 MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, had been scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan between the end of this year and the beginning of next year. However, the first batch arrived last month, earlier than scheduled, with the second batch —18 sets of HIMARS, 20 MGM-140 missiles and 864 M30
Representative to the US Alexander Yui delivered a letter from the government to US president-elect Donald Trump during a meeting with a former Trump administration official, CNN reported yesterday. Yui on Thursday met with former US national security adviser Robert O’Brien over a private lunch in Salt Lake City, Utah, with US Representative Chris Stewart, the Web site of the US cable news channel reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. “During that lunch the letter was passed along, and then shared with Trump, two of the sources said,” CNN said. O’Brien declined to comment on the lunch, as did the Taipei
A woman who allegedly attacked a high-school student with a utility knife, injuring his face, on a Taipei metro train late on Friday has been transferred to prosecutors, police said yesterday. The incident occurred near MRT Xinpu Station at about 10:17pm on a Bannan Line train headed toward Dingpu, New Taipei City police said. Before police arrived at the station to arrest the suspect, a woman surnamed Wang (王) who is in her early 40s, she had already been subdued by four male passengers, one of whom was an off-duty Taipei police officer, police said. The student, 17, who sustained a cut about
RSS