While working at a construction site on the outskirts of Lagos on a hot afternoon last week, Rotimi, 45, suddenly slumps atop a heap of sand, cement and water mixture. Rushing to his aid, his colleagues try hard to revive him as everyone brings different suggestions for first aid.
Rotimi is eventually taken to a nearby hospital, where the doctor diagnoses his condition as heatstroke.
Like Rotimi, more and more Nigerians are increasingly in danger of being afflicted by heat-related illnesses, or death in severe cases, if the extreme hot weather experienced in the country in the last few weeks persists.
As global temperatures rise and extreme heat events increase in frequency due to climate change, experts have posited that we can expect to see more heat-related illnesses and mortality.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences warns that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heatstroke, and death, as well as exacerbate pre-existing chronic conditions, such as various respiratory, cerebral, and cardiovascular diseases.
Across Nigeria recently, temperatures have hit upwards of 40o Celsius, especially in the afternoon, leading to excessively hot weather and causing discomfort to most Nigerians.
This has also been worsened by the perennial epileptic power supply and persistent fuel scarcity, which has meant that people cannot even power their fans and air-conditioners which could have ameliorated the situation.
“Heatstroke”, also known as “sunstroke”, is a condition that occurs after prolonged exposure to very high temperature or severe physical exertion in a hot environment in which, even though the patient is not sweating and there’s no noticeable increase in body temperature, the extreme heat does severe damage without it being detected early till it causes exhaustion for the victim.
According to Oretayo Oni, a Lagos-based medical doctor, “Heatstroke is a complication of hyperthermia involving the central nervous system. It occurs after prolonged exposure to very high temperature or severe physical exertion in a hot environment. Patients with heat stroke present with dehydration, most likely without sweat, but with weakness, seizures and/or coma.”
Oni says he has recently noticed an increase in the presentations with heatstroke and heat exhaustion, particularly amongst foreign expatriates that are involved in outdoor jobs such as construction workers.
“In the last two months, I have attended to about three foreigners that presented a history of collapse while working in a hot environment; they all had histories of working long hours without rest in very hot environments,” Oni adds.
Just recently, following the persistent hot weather in the country, the Lagos State Ministry of Health issued a statement warning residents that “continuous exposure to the excessive heat is dangerous and could cause health problems, particularly to young children, the elderly and people who have medical problems such as asthma or are on medication for certain conditions”.
“Lagos is currently experiencing heat wave, which is a prolonged period of excessively and abnormally hot weather with temperature exceeding 32.2oC and it is usually accompanied by humidity that usually lasts for at least one day but could last several days to weeks. Continuous exposure to this excessive heat is dangerous and could cause problems such as heat rash, heat stress, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke,” the statement says, quoting Jide Idris, the state Commissioner for Health.
Physicians for Social Responsibility, a US-based medical and public health group working to protect the public from the threats of nuclear proliferation, climate change, and environmental toxins, recalls that the heat wave that struck Europe in the summer of 2003 claimed the lives of more than 70,000 people, especially those most vulnerable with chronic heart or lung disease, a tragic example of what may occur more frequently as global warming continues.
Meanwhile, a warning statement that has been circulating on social media last week reads: “Due to the equinox phenomenon that will affect most of Asia and Africa in the next five days, please stay indoors especially from 12pm-3pm daily. The temperature will fluctuate till 40oC. This can easily cause dehydration and sun stroke. (PS: This phenomenon is due to the sun directly positioned above the equator line).
“Please keep everyone inclusive of yourself hydrated. Everyone should be consuming about three litres of fluid every day. Monitor everyone’s blood pressure as frequent as possible. Many may get heatstroke. Take cold showers as frequent as possible; reduce meat intake, increase fruits and vegetables.
“Heat wave is no joke! Place a new unused candle outside home area or exposed area. If candle can melt, it’s in dangerous level. Always check lips, eye balls moisture.”
Experts say heatstroke, which is a form of hyperthermia, depicts symptoms including abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical symptoms including changes in the nervous system function, headache, dizziness, cold moist skin, fainting, confusion, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and rapid breathing.
Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two other forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heatstroke is a true medical emergency that is often fatal if not properly and promptly treated.
While some of the symptoms of heatstroke could be managed at home, experts note that some of them will require urgent medical attention and death may occur if not promptly attended to. In Nigeria, however, late detection and lack of warning systems, along with inadequate public emergency containment plans, could have wider implications.
“Knowing the symptoms of heat exposure can prevent illness from becoming worse or life-threatening. Thus, it is very important, where heat injury is suspected, for people to relocate to a cooler place to rest, take off any excessive clothing, put cool clothes on, drink cool drinks that have salt and sugar as part of ingredients, and if there is no improvement in the condition or that people are unable to drink fluid, they should call 767 or 112 or go to the nearest health facility,” says the Lagos health commissioner.
Caleb Ojewale
