A Consultant Family Physician, Dr Adesida Adewumi, has warned that heat waves can exacerbate mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
His warning followed several alerts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which had cautioned residents in various states about rising temperatures and high humidity levels, likely causing thermal discomfort across regions.
Adewumi stressed that extreme heat had significant implications for both physical and mental well-being. He made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja,
“Extreme heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, while prolonged exposure to high temperatures can worsen long-term conditions like heart and lung diseases,” Adewumi stated.
He emphasised that vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, and people who were overweight, were at higher risk during excessive heat waves.
“Health conditions such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and life-threatening heat stroke can result from heat waves,” he added.
Adewumi also pointed out the heightened risks for pregnant women and individuals observing prolonged fasting during a heatwave, urging these groups to take extra precautions.
He advised pregnant women to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, as excessive heat could harm both maternal health and fetal development.
“For those fasting, it’s important to rest in cool places and drink water after sunset and before dawn to avoid dehydration and heat-related illnesses,” he said.
To stay safe, Adewumi recommends drinking at least three litres of water daily, taking cold baths, and cooling off by spraying water on the face or using damp towels.
