Following the death of 14 Nigerian pilgrims during this year’s Hajj 2017, as announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, a medical expert has explained the methods of managing heat, to avoid stroke and other complications that may arise, due to the crowd on pilgrimage.
Earlier, the Commissioner in Charge of Health at the Commission, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, stated at a media briefing that about 18,000 sick Nigerian pilgrims were treated by the NAHCON medical team.
He said Muna/Arafat outing in this year’s hajj “was greeted by scorching heat with temperature around 40 degrees Celsius, thereby resulting in early exhaustion, dehydration and some developing heat stroke.”
A medical practitioner with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Dr. Aminu Idris, noted that the severe desert heat, associated sun-related hazards, and the crowding, during the Hajj, may trigger emergency situations such as heat stroke, since the daytime temperature, this year, hovered around 40ºc, at the world’s largest annual gathering, which attracted over three million Muslims from around the world.
He added that heat stroke can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated, as it is a life-threatening condition resulting from long and extreme exposure to heat, in which a person can’t sweat enough to lower body temperature.
“When the weather is hot, the body works overtime; trying to stay cool in that process, excess heat escapes through sweating, exhalation of warmed air, and increased blood flow to the skin.
“Hot weather can overwhelm these mechanisms, which can lead to the failure of body’s heat regulating system, causing rapidly increased body temperature and dehydration,” he explained.
Idris also noted that in order to manage heat during the hajj, pilgrims should endeavour to put on lightweight ihram pieces (white seamless garment) preferably, those that are made from organic materials such as cotton.
He said organic fibres breathe better and promote airflow; whereas, synthetic fibres trap heat, increasing the likelihood of heat stress.
As regards the rituals in hajj, pilgrims should make sure they rehydrate and eat adequately before proceeding to Muna, which involves standing on the plains of Arafat, which is obligatory.
“Drink plenty of fluids in the hours before your journey, so that you are not starting your day with a fluid deficit. You should also make sure you eat because food contains water and is one of the primary means by which we replace lost fluids on a daily basis.
Idris noted that pilgrims should make sure they take adequate meal breaks, as eating food also helps to stimulate the thirst response, causing you to drink more. Ensure your diet includes lots of leafy greens, fresh fruit and nuts, to help replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat, because the Arafat ritual involves standing, meditating, and praying.
He added that these help the pilgrim pull through the rigour of Arafat, especially when the time of the rituals coincides with the peak of summer heat.
“It should be noted that the normal prayers are shortened and combined with other related prayers, you should also take adequate meal breaks.”
He advised that while pilgrims to avoid iced drinks because cold water causes the blood vessels in the stomach to constrict, reducing the rate of fluid absorption.
“Cool water is absorbed faster, which is important to keep you hydrated when performing the tawaf, which involves circumambulation around the Ka’ba (cube) where pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars at the Jamrat-ul-Aqabah, as this is not easy to perform” he said.
