Heat and headaches: a danger for vulnerable people

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Extract from the article: Every year, heat waves are becoming more intense and longer lasting. While heat is often associated with fatigue or discomfort, its effects on health can sometimes be more serious. One of the first warning signs is headaches, a common symptom that...

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Every year, heat waves are becoming more intense and longer lasting. While heat is often associated with fatigue or discomfort, its effects on health can sometimes be more serious. One of the first warning signs is headaches, a common symptom that is too often overlooked, especially in vulnerable people.

According to forecasts by the National Meteorological Agency (ANAMET), Togo is currently experiencing a period of heat and drought, with temperatures generally ranging between 20°C and 40°C, often above the usual seasonal norms. This rise in temperature affects a large part of the country, accentuating the sensation of intense heat, which is particularly noticeable in remote rural areas and even in Lomé.

In the Maritime region, particularly in Lomé, the usual absence of the harmattan wind has reduced the cooling effect expected during the dry season, causing persistent heat even at night.

Headaches: a warning sign in the sun

Hot weather can trigger migraines. This is primarily because heat causes blood vessels to dilate. Migraines are caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the meninges (the membranes that protect the brain). This phenomenon is accompanied by inflammation called a “migraine wave.” So if you suffer from migraines, the arrival of hot weather can cause some painful attacks.

Sunlight can also cause eye strain, which can lead to tension headaches or migraines. It also aggravates photophobia (sensitivity to light), which is one of the symptoms of migraines.

Heat can cause headaches, redness (especially on the face), nausea or vomiting, and fever. In severe cases, it can cause convulsions, heart rhythm disorders, syncope, and loss of consciousness. Signs of dehydration, such as intense thirst, are often associated with these symptoms.

The most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and exposed workers

Certain people are particularly at risk when the heat becomes intense: children and infants, whose thermal regulation systems are not yet fully developed; the elderly, who feel less thirsty and whose bodies have more difficulty adapting to heat; people with chronic diseases (cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes) whose condition can deteriorate under the effect of heat stress, and outdoor workers, such as farmers, street vendors, or construction workers, who are exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

For these groups, headaches can be more than just a passing discomfort: they can be a sign of severe dehydration or heat exhaustion.

What should you do?

It is recommended that you drink enough water. Limit activities during the hottest hours of the day. Wear light clothing. Do not hesitate to ventilate the rooms in your home throughout the day to cool it down. However, in the event of neurological symptoms (such as convulsions), heart rhythm disorders, or discomfort, go to the hospital immediately.

Jean ELI