MANILA, Philippines – The weather is extremely hot now due to the effect of the El Niño phenomenon. Because of the intense heat, for those who aren't going out to the mall and usually stay at home, using an electric fan or air conditioner is a must.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Teng Gresola |
However, there are some who have air conditioning at home but choose not to turn it on and just endure the heat with an electric fan, even though the air it blows is also warm. Their reasoning is that they might go broke paying the electric bill, especially if the air conditioner is not an inverter type.
But for Teng Gresola, councilor of Barangay 152, Bagong Barrio, in Caloocan City, it is not advisable to scrimp on the use of air conditioning, especially when health and quality family rest are at stake.
Many illnesses can also be acquired from excessive heat. According to him, by scrimping on the electric bill, one might end up spending more on hospital bill due to health issues.
“Sabi nila ‘Aircon Now, Pulubi Later’” he started the Facebook post.
“Eto stand ko about that..”
“Hindi mo mabibili ang pahinga kahit mahal ang kuryente mahalaga ay maayos ang pamamahinga mo at ng pamilya mo, pagod ka na nga sa trabaho at sa barangay di kapa makakapagpahinga ng maayos.”
“At yung makatulog lang ako ng maayos ay isang luxury na saken yun so I’d rather go with electricity bills rather than hospital bills💯💯💯
“Kaya buksan na ang aircon kung naiinitan ka😉.”
Sabi nila “Aircon Now, Pulubi Later” Eto stand ko about that.. Hindi mo mabibili ang pahinga kahit mahal ang kuryente...
Posted by Teng Gresola on Friday, March 29, 2024
This garnered reactions and comments from netizens.
“Tama! Kaya nga tayo kumakayod eh para may pambayad sa bills and lahat ng bagay na makakapagbigay ng comfort sa atin, so why deprive yourself?”
“Hahahaha tapos pagdating ng bill, dagdag stress! Stress ka na nga sa work pag-uwi mo sa bahay, stress ka pa sa makikita mong bill! Hahaha”
“Stress na nga sa trabaho, stress at kulang pa sa tulog. Pick a struggle na lang siguro. Magkaka-heat stroke ka pa.”
“Tsaka kung inverter-type naman yung AC, hnd naman malakas sa kuryente. Mas malakas pa nga raw ang konsumo ng dalawang elec fans based on experiences ng mga naka-kwentuhan ko…”
“Mas mahal at mahirap magpahinga sa ospital pag na heat stroke.”
What are the illnesses caused by excessive heat?
Exposure to excessive heat can lead to various heat-related illnesses, including:
Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms may include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and fainting. It occurs when the body loses too much water and salt through sweating.
Heat Stroke: This is a severe form of heat illness and is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms include a high body temperature (above 103°F or 39.4°C), confusion, agitation, hot and dry skin, rapid heartbeat, and possibly unconsciousness. Heat stroke can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Heat Cramps: Painful muscle spasms that occur during or after intense physical activity in hot weather. They are caused by dehydration and loss of electrolytes.
Heat Rash: Also known as prickly heat, it is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating and clogged sweat ducts. It results in red, itchy bumps on the skin.
Heat Syncope: This is a fainting episode that can occur when someone stands for a long time in hot conditions or quickly stands up after sitting or lying down in the heat. It is often due to dehydration and a drop in blood pressure.
Dehydration: Not a specific illness, but a condition where the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Dehydration can lead to serious complications if not treated, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
These illnesses can range from mild to severe and require prompt attention to prevent serious complications. It's important to stay hydrated, take breaks in cool or shaded areas, and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially during heatwaves.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
