Beware of Extreme Weather in the Holy Land, Recognize Signs of Dehydration and Heatstroke in Hajj Pilgrims

Dehydration is one of the conditions that need to be watched out for, especially when you are active in the midst of extreme hot weather like in Mecca and Medina. This condition is usually characterized by a body that feels weak, dizzy, headache, nausea, to blurred vision.

In addition, changes in urine color can also be an early sign of the body's lack of fluid. If not addressed immediately, dehydration can trigger more serious health disorders, including heatstroke or heatstroke.

Clinical nutrition specialist reminds Indonesian pilgrims to pay more attention to their body condition during the performance of worship in Saudi Arabia, which is currently experiencing high temperatures.

"The signs of dehydration are actually weak, then if, for example, before being weak, we can see what the color of our urine is," said Dr. A. Yasmin Syauki, M.Sc., Sp.GK(K), MHPE when contacted by ANTARA on Tuesday.

The lecturer from the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University explained that the color of urine can be a simple indicator to determine the adequacy of body fluids.

"When it is thick, then it is likely that we are dehydrated. So it is not too yellow, not clear yellow, so the yellow is thick, then it has been dehydrated," he said, as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 12.

Meanwhile, another clinical nutrition specialist, dr. Pande Putu Agus Mahendra, M.Gizi, Sp.GK from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, previously also mentioned that dehydration can be characterized by feeling weak, drowsy, headache, nausea, and blurred vision.

If symptoms of dehydration begin to be felt, it is recommended that pilgrims immediately increase fluid intake so that the body's condition does not decrease further.

"We immediately increase our fluid intake to avoid dehydration," said dr. Yasmin.

In addition to dehydration, pilgrims are also at risk of heatstroke due to excessive exposure to hot temperatures while outdoors.

"Heatstroke means heat that the body can't control, so we feel like we're out of breath, then dizzy," he said.

"Then our body can't compensate, it can suddenly be suffocated, limp, dizzy," he added.

To reduce the risk of health disorders due to hot weather, pilgrims are advised to use head protection when outdoors.

In addition, because the hot temperature can also be felt inside the tent in Mina, pilgrims can use cloth or kanebo that is wet with water to help keep the body temperature cool.

"By wetting the kanebo with water so that our heads stay cool, not hot," he said.