Eat less of hot, heavy food during hot season – Health expert admonishes gluttons

By Stella Kabruk

With the hot season advancing fast, Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Kaduna State, Dr Sheyin Madaki, has cautioned against excessive eating of ‘heavy food’ , especially when such foods are hot.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, Madaki said heavy foods, especially hot and solid ones, could compound situations for human body, which temperature is often high during the period.

He therefore warned ‘gluttons’ or heavy eaters, to exercise caution in the interest of their good health, just as he called on people to take proactive measures to avoid contracting hot season diseases.

“Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothes; limit your outdoor activities to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours; rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.

” Cut down on exercise during the hot season; if exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, limit your activities”, he admonished.

He also advised residents to wear sunscreen to limit the negative effect of the harsh weather on their body.

“ Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you to dehydrate; if you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglass.

“Do not make the mistake of leaving children in cars; cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with windows open; while anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of suffering heat stroke, or dying, under such condition,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Kaduna-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Community Trust Health Foundation, has urged the state government to take proactive measures by equipping health facilities to avert any outbreak of hot season diseases.

Coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs Mary Katuka, who made the call in an interview with NAN in Kaduna, also advised residents to avoid staying in over-crowded rooms, or places that had no cross- ventilation.

(NAN)