Knowing that the summer is fast approaching and two-a-days is right around the corner it’s never too late to start thinking about the one thing that many of us have a problem with but is the most preventable. What is this? Heat illness.
Heat illness is one of the most preventable illnesses out there but is also one that causes the most problems during the summer training months and every year before and during outdoor training.
Given from the well trained athlete to the weekend warriors to the recreational players we all seen or heard about one extreme case a year, from the coach not allowing hydration breaks, improper clothing to improper recognition of S/S to name a few life altering situations.
This is where we as athletic trainers have the authority and the voice of reasoning to help decrease the fatality rate, law suits and to promote preventive medicine.
Here are a few sign and symptoms to look for; If face is red raise the head, If face is pale raise the tail. (Shock)
HEAT CRAMPS: Cause dehydration and electrolytes loss. C/o muscle cramps quads, hamstring and calves are the most common area.
TREATMENT: Rest and slow stretch and rehydration.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Cause dehydration with electrolyte depletion through sweating might develop shock like symptoms. C/o Headache, nausea, chill, and fatigue are a few. Signs Pale cool and clammy skin, rapid pulse but weak, Loss of balance,(LOB) Pouring sweat.
TREATMENT: Rest, rehydrate if conscious, Cool or shades area, prepare too call EMS treat for shock.
HEAT STROKE:Life Threatening Dehydration a malfunction of the temperature control center in the brain cause, the body stops sweating and body temperature increases.
SIGNS: Lack of sweat, disorientation, red flush skin extremely hot rapid breathing, pulse, confusion irritability, fatigue.
SYMPTOMS: Feeling like there on fire.
TREATMENT: Activate EMS, get to cool shaded area bring temp down with cool water, ice packs ice towels, decrease clothing as much as possible. Monitor temp and vitals and be prepares to start CPR.
So rule of thumb: Know your athlete’s, check the weather and be prepared. The better prepared you are the less chance of the unknown.
