“The progression from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to heat stroke and death can occur very quickly. A kid laying in the morgue who recently died of heat illness doesn’t look very tough to me.”
– David Marshall, M.D., Sports Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
The excessive summer heat brings a risk: dehydration, which can lead to death. Though these tragedies are rare, almost all of them are preventable.
“I really don’t care. I’m just out here to play football and it really doesn’t matter if it’s hot or not,” says Mickey, age 17.
That’s the problem. Even in the blistering heat, many high school athletes have one thing on their mind.
“I just come out here to play football and I don’t really think about the heat. The heat doesn’t really bother me,” says Zach, age 16.
“You have the whole team out there practicing and everybody else is in the heat, but you don’t really want to seem like you’re the weakest link on the team,” says Austin.
According to the last Annual Survey of Football Injury Research, there were seven fatalities related to football during the 2008 season. That’s not many, when you think of the many thousands of kids playing football. Still, experts say, each one could have been prevented.
First, athletes need to drink water, even if they’re not thirsty.
“Waiting until your body says hey I’m thirsty, I need a big glass of water or a big glass of Gatorade or Powerade it’s really too late. You’re way behind in the hydration process,” says Steve Stepp, licensed athletic trainer.
Second, parents, coaches and kids themselves need to know the signs of heat exhaustion.
“And the signs and symptoms of that are going to be confusion, light-headedness, dizziness, nauseated, disoriented, things of that sort,” says David Marshall, M.D., Sports Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Athletes also need to know that it’s okay to sit out and it’s okay to not be “tough”.
“The progression from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to heat stroke and death can occur very quickly. A kid lying in the morgue who recently died of heat illness doesn’t look very tough to me,” says Marshall.
Experts say coaches should cancel practice or move it indoors if the heat index rises above 95.
What We Need To Know
Children product more heat, sweat less and may be less likely than adults to drink enough fluids during exercise – all factors that mean kids are especially prone to the risk of dehydration in the heat of the summer. The concern is often greater for young athletes who participate in football (with heavy gear), soccer, cross-country and other sports that start lengthy practices during the summer months.
Encourage your child to pay attention to these early signs and symptoms of dehydration: a dry or sticky mouth, thirst, headache, dizziness, cramps and excessive fatigue. Remind your child that he or she is responsible for telling the coach right away – and not to be embarrassed.
According to information from the National Institutes of Health, heat-related illnesses include:
- Heatstroke – a life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106° F in minutes; symptoms include dry skin, rapid, strong pulse and dizziness
- Heat exhaustion – an illness that can precede heatstroke; symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid breathing and a fast, weak pulse
- Heat cramps – muscle pains or spasms that happen during heavy exercise
- Heat rash – skin irritation from excessive sweating
Everyone can try these tips to avoid dehydration:
- Drink plenty of water during the day. Most heat disorders are caused by dehydration. Our bodies lose water from sweating, and the water lost must be constantly replaced.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in hot weather.
- Rest frequently and seek shade when possible.
- Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity outside during hot or humid weather.
- Be especially careful to avoid overheating if you are taking drugs that impair heat regulation, or if you are overweight or elderly.
- Be careful of hot cars in the summer. Allow the car to cool off before getting in.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Institutes of Health
- Mayo Clinic Information on Dehydration
- Hydration Tips for Kids
- Center for Injury Research and Policy
Recent Comments