Many of us have noticed that the heat is harder to bear this year. Forecasters say a very strong El Niño is developing. El Niño is a warming of the Pacific Ocean that changes the weather around the world, and in strong years it can make many places much hotter than normal.

A projection from the Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago estimated that Nigeria could see more than 30,000 extra heat-related deaths between September and February, one of the highest totals in the world. This is a projection and not a certainty, and good preparation can bring the number down. Most of the danger is for people who are already vulnerable.

Who is most at risk

• Babies and young children
• Older adults
• Pregnant women
• People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart or kidney problems
• People who work outdoors, such as traders, farmers, okada riders and builders
• People who live in hot rooms with no fan or air flow

Simple ways to stay safe

• Drink water through the day. Do not wait until you feel thirsty.
• Try to stay indoors or in the shade during the hottest hours, roughly 12 noon to 4 pm.
• Wear light, loose clothes and keep your rooms as airy as you can.
• Cool down with a wet cloth or a cool shower.
• Go easy on alcohol and sugary drinks, which can make you lose more water.
• Never leave a child or an older person in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
• Check on older neighbours and relatives, especially if they live alone.
• If you have a baby under 6 months, breastfeed more often. Ask your doctor before giving water to a baby that young.

Medicines and long-term conditions

Some blood pressure tablets, such as water tablets (diuretics), make your body lose more fluid. Do not stop any medicine on your own. Instead, ask your doctor whether your dose or how much you drink should change in hot weather. This matters most if you have diabetes, or kidney or heart problems.

Signs of heat exhaustion

Watch for heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, unusual tiredness, a fast pulse, and cool, clammy skin. If this happens, move to a cool place, loosen tight clothes, sip water slowly and cool the body with a wet cloth or a fan. If the person does not feel better within an hour, or gets worse, see a doctor.

Heatstroke is an emergency

Heatstroke is more serious. Look for confusion, slurred speech, fainting, a seizure, hot dry skin or a very high body temperature. Get emergency help straight away and take the person to the nearest hospital. While you wait, cool them with water and a fan. Do not give drinks to someone who is confused or not fully awake.

How TelMD can help

If you feel unwell in the heat, or you are worried about an older parent or a child, message us on WhatsApp. A doctor can speak with you by video, talk through your symptoms, and tell you what to do next. If you are in Lagos, we can also arrange a home visit. For signs of heatstroke, please go to the nearest hospital first.

Chat with a nurse on WhatsApp

This article is for general information and does not replace a visit to your doctor. Projection figures are from the Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago, as reported by The Gazette NGR.