Living Through the Heat: Lifestyle changes you must make

By Josephine Agbonkhese STEPPING outside lately can sometimes feel like walking into an oven. Before long, you’re burning up, sweating, feeling thirsty and wishing you could return to the comfort of your home. While this may be a familiar experience for many Nigerians, rising global temperatures are making the heat a more serious health concern. A recent Climate Impact Lab report projected that Nigeria could record 31,400 additional heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027 as the El Niño weather pattern intensifies. Beyond fatalities, extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, headaches, dizziness, fainting, skin rashes, sunburn, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating. Although this is only a projection, the warning underscores the need to take extreme heat seriously by adjusting our everyday habits.

Know When Heat Is Becoming Dangerous Severe weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea or heavy sweating may indicate heat exhaustion and should not be ignored. Move the affected person to a cooler place, loosen any unnecessary clothing and help them cool down. If they are fully alert and can swallow safely, offer them water. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call emergency medical services immediately and begin cooling the person while waiting for help. Do not give fluids to someone who is confused or unconscious. Pay particular attention to older adults, young children and people with health conditions such as diabetes. Drink Water Before You Feel Thirsty Keep safe drinking water within reach, whether you’re at your desk, in transit or at the market. Drink regularly rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. Water-rich foods such as watermelon, oranges and cucumber can also contribute to hydration, but they should not replace…