The heat is on this season, stay hydrated

Judging from the latest weather forecasts, the heat is on. We have gradually moved from the harmattan to the hot and humid dry season.

Nigeria is in the tropic region and the hot weather can be very uncomfortable for most inhabitants in the zone. It is therefore not surprising that physicians warn that the dry season comes with many heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and dehydration.

As simple as it sounds, dehydration can damage the kidneys over some time. When not treated promptly and appropriately, severe dehydration has been known to be fatal.

Consultant nephrologist, Dr. Tunde Smith, explains that dehydration, which occurs when people do not drink enough water, is a major cause of kidney stones, a condition that can lead to kidney failure when poorly managed.

He says, “Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don’t replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.

“Water is the medium in which the kidneys remove waste and other toxins from the body. If you are in short of it, then the waste stays in the body and corrode the kidneys.

“But higher water intake increases the volume of urine passing through the kidneys, which dilutes the concentration of minerals, so they are less likely to crystallise and form clumps or kidney stones.

“ Water has been known to prevent the initial formation of stones.”

For consultant nutritionist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Dr, Bartholomew Brai, dehydration, which occurs frequently in hot weather, can affect some cognitive processes in the brain and the nervous system making it difficult for people to assimilate or concentrate.

According to him, water is an essential component of brain and metabolic processes in the body and it serves as the medium through which blood and other nutrients circulate throughout the organs.

Brai says, “Almost 60 per cent of the processes in the brain is controlled by water. Water carries fresh oxygen to the brain cells. Nutrients are brought to the brain through water. Nutrients are carried to other parts of the body through water. Most headaches and dizziness occur when the brain is not getting enough oxygen because there is no water in the body to take it there.

“This occurs frequently when the weather is hot, because many are not aware that this is the period for them to drink more quantity of water. If the brain lacks water, you may faint; some other brain activity may be affected.”

Brai also warns that another major health challenge that many people experience in the hot weather is heat exhaustion, which occurs when a person loses fluid and salt through perspiration.

He explains, “We lose a lot of body fluids and salt through perspiration and the body temperature might rise if you don’t replace the fluid in the body quickly.

“This can cause dizziness, headaches and fainting. In some cases, infants and those above 60 years become ill so much so that they have to be hospitalised. To prevent such from happening, drink water even when you are not thirsty.”

Brai adds that drinking water and staying in a cool environment would help the body to refuel and restore lost electrolytes, which are necessary for muscle and other body functions.

Doctors note that children usually experience seizures during the hot weather due to loss of electrolytes.

According to them, the body loses electrolytes — such as potassium and sodium – which help to carry electrical signals from cell to cell.

Smith states, “If your electrolytes are out of balance, the normal electrical messages can become mixed up, which can lead to involuntary muscle contractions and sometimes to a loss of consciousness as well as a breakdown in the nerve coordination. This is what we see as seizure.

“Parents must ensure that their kids drink at least four glasses of water each day. Children play around and they are more exposed to the heat, so they need to be well looked after.”

Most importantly, the physicians note that we need to drink additional water in hot or humid weather in order to lower the body temperature and to replace what we lose through sweating.

Apart from helping to relieve dehydration, here are some science-based benefits of drinking more water:

Treat headache

Dehydration can trigger headache and migraines in some individuals. Several studies have shown that water can relieve headaches in those who are dehydrated. However, this appears to depend on the type of headache.

Relieves constipation

Constipation is a common problem, characterised by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stool.

Increasing fluid intake is often recommended as a part of the treatment protocol, and there is some evidence to back this up.

Low water consumption appears to be a risk factor for constipation in both young and elderly individuals.

PUNCH.