HEAT ILLNESS AND HYDRATION:
Hyperthermia is one of the leading causes of death in athletes in outdoor sports in the high school and college levels. Below is a brief summary of heat illness, signs and symptoms to look for, and the treatment of these illnesses:
h HEAT RASH: A rash that comes up and is accompanied with tingling and prickling during sweating.
h HEAT SYNCOPE: HEAT COLLAPSE- rapid physical fatigue during overexposure to heat. Usually occurring from not being accustomed to exercising in the heat. May feel dizzy, nausea, out of it.
h HEAT CRAMPS: Extremely painful muscle spasms that occur most commonly in the calf and abdomen. Heat cramps is related to excessive loss of water and several electrolytes. The athlete most likely to get heat cramps is one who is in fairly good conditions but who simply overexerts in heat.
h HEAT EXHAUSTION: Results from inadequate replacement of fluids lost through sweating. Athlete will become exhausted and collapse, have profuse sweating, pale skin, mildly elevated temperature, dizziness, hyperventilation, and rapid pulse.
h HEAT STROKE: SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATHING EMERGENCY. Sudden collapse with loss of consciousness, flushed, hot skin with loss of sweating, shallow breathing, rapid, strong pulse, with high core temperature. This can occur suddenly without warning.
PROPER TREATMENT FOR HEAT ILLNESSES:
h ALWAYS HAVE WATER AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES AND ENCOURAGE ATHLETE TO BRING WATER BOTTLES TO SCHOOL EACH DAY!!!
h SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR FROM MILD TO SEVERE HEAT ILLNESS:
§ Redness in face
§ Sweating profusely
§ Dizzy
§ Nausea
§ Cramping
§ Spells of fainting
§ Feeling of weakness
§ Pale, dry skin
§ Elevated Temperature
§ Light-headedness
§ Hyperventilation
§ May become disoriented
§ Sudden collapse
§ Loss of consciousness
h IMMEDIATE TREATMENT FOR HEAT ILLNESS OTHER THAN HEAT STROKE:
§ COOL ATHLETE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND GIVE THEM WATER TO DRINK!
§ Have athlete go into an air conditioned building or shaded area
§ If they are cramping, help them to stretch the area as best as possible
§ Have them drink water, and mix in with and electrolyte drink if possible
§ Pour cold water on their heads, back of neck, arms, legs to cool them faster
§ Get ice bags to put on their head and neck
§ If you have access to a training room and a whirlpool, fill the pool with cold water and some ice and submerge athlete in the water.
h IMMEDIATE TREATMENT FOR HEAT STROKE (THE ATHLETE HAS LOST CONSCIOUSNESS OR IS VERY DISORIENTED)
§ CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
§ Heat Stroke can come on suddenly and without warning or signs of other heat illnesses!
§ Get the athlete inside to an air conditioned area and put ice bags on them or submerge in an ice bath if possible. Rapid cooling of the body is VERY important.
§ Keep talking to them to keep them conscious if possible
§ Render proper first aid and CPR if necessary