Heatwave: Doctors urge Nigerians to eat water-rich fruits, stay hydrated - Punch Newspapers

As temperatures rise amid concerns over the El Niño weather pattern, health experts have urged Nigerians to eat water-rich fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water and limit exposure to direct sunlight to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The experts identified watermelon, oranges, cucumbers and pineapples as water-rich foods that can supplement fluid intake and help maintain adequate hydration during periods of extreme heat.

They also advised Nigerians to carry water bottles when going out.

Similarly, the experts advised farmers, traders, construction workers and other outdoor workers to schedule strenuous activities for the early morning or evening hours and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly around midday.

In an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, a public health physician, Dr Rotimi Adesanya, said consuming fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, oranges, cucumber and pineapple could help people maintain hydration during periods of high temperatures.

He also urged Nigerians to recognise warning signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, protect vulnerable groups, including children and older people, and seek immediate medical attention when severe symptoms occur.

Adesanya, the Director of Medical Services at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, gave the advice while outlining measures individuals could take to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.

He advised Nigerians to include water-rich fruits and vegetables in their diets, saying, “Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, oranges, cucumber and pineapple.”

He also encouraged people to drink plenty of water and carry water bottles, particularly when going outdoors.

“Drink plenty of water: Always carry a water bottle,” he advised.

The physician urged people to avoid direct exposure to the sun during its strongest hours, recommending that they stay under trees or indoors between 11 am and 4 pm.

He also advised people to wear loose, light clothing, noting that cotton clothes could help the body stay cool.

Adesanya warned that dizziness and weakness could be early signs of heat exhaustion, urging people experiencing such symptoms to alert someone or seek help.

He identified confusion, fainting, hot, dry skin and collapse as warning signs of heatstroke, stressing the need for immediate action when they occur.

“Know the warning signs of heat stroke. The signs include confusion, fainting, dry hot skin, or collapse. In case of collapse, quickly move the person to shade, pour cool water, and seek medical help immediately,” he said.

He further advised Nigerians to check regularly on vulnerable people, particularly elderly relatives, babies and sick neighbours, noting that they required extra attention during periods of extreme heat.

“Never leave children and elderly alone in hot rooms. Check on them often,” he cautioned.

Adesanya also urged people living with hypertension, diabetes and heart conditions to monitor their health closely during hot weather.

He advised households to keep their homes cool by using fans, opening windows at night and covering windows during the day to reduce indoor heat.

Noting that power outages could make it difficult for households to stay cool, the public health expert recommended keeping buckets of water available, sleeping in cooler rooms and using hand fans that do not require electricity.

The physician also cautioned against heavy outdoor work during peak heat periods, particularly among farmers, traders and construction workers. He advised them to take breaks, wear hats where necessary and schedule outdoor activities for early mornings or evenings.

He urged Nigerians to take simple precautions consistently, rather than waiting until they experience symptoms of heat-related illness before seeking ways to protect themselves.

To further prevent heat-related illness, especially at mass gatherings, such as sports, religious and cultural events, the World Health Organisation released a guideline that ensures “accessible and safe drinking water and toilets, cooling infrastructure, schedule adjustments, crowd-flow management, workforce protection measures, public communication, real-time surveillance and well-prepared on-site medical services” are available as preparedness and response measures.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that hot extremes, including heatwaves, have become more frequent and more intense across most land regions since the 1950s, mainly as a result of climate change.

The IPCC noted that further increases in the frequency and intensity of hot extremes are projected with every additional increment of global warming.

The Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said, “Extreme heat is an increasing threat to health, safety and operational continuity in mass gatherings, and must be addressed not only as an environmental hazard but as a core operational and governance challenge.

“Protection cannot rely on individual behaviour alone; by strengthening consistent risk assessment, preparedness and response, we can reduce immediate harm and support safer, more resilient event planning in a warming world.”

According to the global health body, there has been about a 63 per cent increase in heat-related deaths since the 1990s, with an average of 546,000 deaths occurring annually between 2012 and 2021.

It noted that mass gatherings can amplify heat risks in several ways, while long periods outdoors with exposure to heat and sun, dense crowds, limited access to safe water, travel-related stress, unfamiliarity with local climatic conditions, and competing demands on health services can combine to create dangerous conditions.

PUNCH Healthwise earlier reported that as El Niño-linked heatwaves intensify, pregnant women and children were at increased risk of heat-related illnesses, with the WHO attributing extreme heat exposure to a 26 per cent increase in the odds of preterm birth.

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs when sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal.

It can disrupt atmospheric circulation and influence rainfall and temperature patterns in different parts of the world.

The National Emergency Management Agency stated that Super El Niño can cause hotter temperatures, less rainfall, drought, floods, and food shortages.

The agency and other state governments have also urged Nigerians to avoid being in the direct sun between 11 am and 4 pm, stay hydrated and drink clean water regularly, store enough food for emergencies, take regular breaks, and look out for the vulnerable in the community.

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