Heat Illness

1. Heat Illness

2. Core Temperature: Temperature of brain, heart and lungs and abdominal organs. • Shell Temperature: Temperature of skin and muscles • Normal core temperature: 98.6 degrees F • core temperatures are fatal above: 100 degrees F • Humidity and wind affect temperature (higher humidity the higher the temperature and vice versa) • when outside temperatures exceeds 80 degrees F sweating is how the body dissipates heat • Larger and overweight people are more prone to heat illness • Ways the body cools off • Sweating • capillaries open causing redness and release heat • Drinking cool water helps regulate body temperature.

3. Importance of Water: • Body = 75% water • Heart = 80% water • Brain = 80% water • Muscles = 75% water • Skin = 70% water • For each pound lost during exercise = 16oz of water • Dehydration tests • If you are thirsty then you are already dehydrated • Dark color urine • Pinch test, looking for skin rebound

4. Types of heat illness • Hyperthermia: temperature above 101 degrees F; 2nd most frequent cause of sports death • Heat Cramp: Muscle fatigue and spasms (lack of water or electrolyte imbalance)

5. Heat Exhaustion: Cause: Excessive depletion of fluids and electrolytes (salt, potassium and magnesium) due to profuse sweating. • Signs/Symptoms: • Excessive thirst • Weakness (gradual) • Nausea • light headedness • Headache • Anxiety • Dizziness • Fainting • profuse sweating • cold and clammy skin • pale or grayish skin • weak and rapid pulse • fast shallow respiration • core temperature is near normal • low blood pressure

6. Treatment for heat exhaustion: • Have athlete lie down in a cold place and drink liquids • Remove excess clothing and rub athletes body with a cool, wet towel • Instruct athlete to stay out of heat for the rest of the day • Replace lost water and salt • Take to hospital if complications develop • Athletes are very susceptible to having heat illness again.

7. Heat Stroke:Cause: Overheating due to a breakdown of the thermoregulartory system. [MEDICAL EMERGENCY! LIFE THREATENING!] • Signs/Symptoms: • extreme headache • extreme weakness • Nausea • serious disorientation • warm dry skin • lack of sweating • rapid full pulse • high core temperature • Unconsciousness • seizures • coma

8. Treatment for heat stroke: • Chance for survival depends on how rapidly help is received [THIS IS A TRUE EMERGENCY CALL 911] • Get athlete out of sun • Cool body immediately by spraying with cold water, applying cool and wet towels, and fanning. • Full body immersions in cold water if possible, examples cold whirl pool or cool bath tub • Place ice or cold packs under arms and groin area.

9. Preventing Heat Illness • Each athlete should have a physical exam with a medical history or previous heat illness • Educate the athlete - full disclosure of the risk, prevention and treatment of heat illness • Know the physical condition of the athletes and set practice schedules accordingly • Acclimatization- becoming accustomed to exercising in hot temperatures which usually takes 10 to 14 days • Drink fluids before, during and after exercise • Intensity of workout lowered during high heat periods. Workout in cooler part of the day • Water should be available in unlimited quantities, cold water empties into the intestine faster • Water breaks every 15-20 minutes with rest, force fluids

10. Increase salt intake and electrolyte beverages • Keep weight records; athlete should not lose more than 3% to 5% of body weight during practice. Drink quart of water per pound lost • Know both the temperature and humidity readings, (wet bulb/sling psychrometer) • Eat a well balanced diet, fat intake should be minimal • Wear lightweight uniforms on high temperature days • Never wear rubberized clothing • Observe athletes carefully for signs of heat illness

11. END OF HEAT ILLNESSES