Heat Illness

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Heat Illness
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• 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.

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• 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

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• 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)

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• 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

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• 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.

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• 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

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• 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.

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• Preventing Heat Illness
• Each athlete should have a physical exam with a
  medical history or previous heat illness

1. Educate the athlete - full disclosure of the
   risk, prevention and treatment of heat illness
2. Know the physical condition of the athletes and
   set practice schedules accordingly
3. Acclimatization- becoming accustomed to
   exercising in hot temperatures which usually
   takes 10 to 14 days
4. Drink fluids before, during and after exercise
5. Intensity of workout lowered during high heat
   periods. Workout in cooler part of the day
6. Water should be available in unlimited
   quantities, cold water empties into the intestine
   faster
7. Water breaks every 15-20 minutes with rest, force
   fluids

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• 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

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END OF HEAT ILLNESSES