Dehydration 

When traveling to a country like Sudan, one needs to assess certain elements that are essential to the body for a swift adaptation. The most crucial element to be aware of, is the difference in weather between Africa and other continents, and within Africa itself. Sudan is partially Saharan and sub-Saharan in its climate. It has a hot climate, with seasonal variations that are most sharply defined in the desert zones. Temperatures in the winter (a very short season) can go as low as 4.4◦c (about 40◦F) especially after sunset. In contrast to that, summer temperatures may reach up to 45-46 ◦c (about 113 ◦F), with the average being 38-40◦c (about 100◦F). These extreme temperatures may be hard for a new comer to adjust to, putting in mind that the condition is exacerbated by the significantly low humidity and sand storms that are considered common occurrences during the summer.

“One must be prepared to supply the body with the proper means to prevent it from going into dehydration and heat stroke, …”

Consequently, one must be prepared to supply the body with the proper means to prevent it from suffering into dehydration and heat stroke, which are expected outcomes in these harsh variations of weather. These means include sufficient amounts of water and minerals in your daily routine, since the body will be losing a lot of these in sweating and breathing during the day.

The following tips are helpful and could easily be developed into healthy habits:

• Drink a lot of water, the hotter the weather becomes, the more water you will lose in sweat and respiration. So, try to drink not less than 6-8 liters per day, which is equivalent to 12-16 small mineral water bottles. You don’t need to worry about urinating a lot, because that will only happen in the beginning until the body redirects its water losing process, and then you’ll be surprised at amount of sweat you find on your cloth at the end of the day.
• Drink a lot of mineral containing beverages like lemonade, including fizzy and home-made drinks. Freshly prepared fruit juices like orange or lemon juice contain the needed concentrations of sodium and potassium to compensate for the losses in sweat and urine as well as vitamin C, which helps your respiratory system combat all the dust and bacteria breathed in from the surrounding environment.
• Stay away from caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee and dark fizzy beverages as much as possible; although they give a much needed mental boost during work, they also have a considerable diuretic effect. They could dehydrate you faster than being under the sun.
• Adjust your air conditioner to a reasonable temperature. When you are coming in from the heat you will need to cool down gradually, otherwise you’ll develop painful muscle spasms in places like the middle of your back, your neck, and of course a fantastic vice-like headache! Keeping the room temperature at a mild cool degree will help you make the gradual adjustment to the outside temperatures faster and decrease your suffering when you need to spend a long time out in the heat.

Always wear fabrics that allow the skin to breath. In other words, bring a lot of summer wear to Sudan, Watch out though, nothing skimpy! You don’t want the misery of third degree burns that take forever to heal.