A wellness consultant, Dr. Kelvin Owusu, has advised the public to stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet as key measures to protect themselves from health challenges during the dry season, commonly known as harmattan.

Speaking in a recent interview on Channel One TV, he explained that drinking water in the dry season is important because the body loses more moisture due to the cold air.

"So, you should be drinking as much water as you can. I mean, at least three liters of water. But if you work outdoors, you probably need a lot more water because you are being exposed to the sun more than the rest of us who are indoors.

"But the interesting thing is that during harmattan, you don't get thirsty. So, a lot of people are actually drinking less. But we need to be conscious and try to drink as much water as possible.

"One of the tricks is actually to carry a bottle to work or wherever you're going so that it prompts you to drink the water in there," he explained.

Dr. Kelvin Owusu also advised against excessive consumption of alcohol, as it acts as a diuretic, contributing to dehydration during the dry season.

"So, beer is not a substitute for water. And this is why beer or alcohol is a diuretic. So, alcohol will actually make you lose water, you know, so when you drink alcohol, you tend to urinate more.

"Alcohol can dehydrate the body further, worsening the effects of harmattan," he warned.

He also emphasised the need for increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost the immune system, as they play a crucial role in combating infections, particularly when respiratory issues become more prevalent during harmattan.

"Fruits and vegetables are very important because most of our diet doesn't incorporate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. So, we go in and eat our banku and okra kitchen with hot pepper, which is usually all cooked. The thing about vegetables is that when you apply heat, they tend to lose some amount of their nutrition or nutritional value," he added.

Regarding respiratory health, he recommended wearing face masks, especially in dusty areas, to reduce the inhalation of dust and prevent irritation of the nasal passages.

“Wearing a mask in dusty environments helps protect the nasal passages from irritation and reduces the chances of respiratory discomfort," he noted.

He further advised against nose-picking, which can exacerbate nasal bleeding due to the dry air, urging people to avoid such practices during the harmattan season.

"Nose-picking during harmattan can worsen nasal bleeding caused by the dry air, so it’s best to avoid this habit," he advised.

JKB/MA

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