Heat Illness

When an athlete exercises, the body’s temperature is elevated and the body sweats to cool itself down. During this process, body fluid as well as critical electrolytes are lost. If the body isn’t replenished with fluids and electrolytes, dehydration may occur and increase the risk of a heat illness such as heat stroke.

Some heat illness symptoms include:

• Chills
• Dark colored urine
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Thirst
• Weakness

The most effective treatment for heat-related illnesses is prevention, including:

• Proper training for the heat
• Fluid replacement before, during and after exertion
• Appropriate clothing—light colored, loose fitting and limited to one layer
• Early recognition via direct monitoring of athletes by other players, coaches and medical staff
• Monitoring the intensity of physical activity appropriate for fitness and the athlete’s acclimatization status
• If possible, having an athletic trainer on site during events and practices to properly prevent and treat heat illnesses

At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, an athlete should initially limit the intensity and duration of exercise and then gradually increase it during a period of 7-14 days to allow time for the body to adjust to the new climate and environmental conditions. Athletes with respiratory, gastrointestinal or other illness should be evaluated before exercise, as these conditions increase the risk of heat illness.

If heat illness progresses, more serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, body temperature increasing to dangerous levels, muscle cramps, nausea, and tingling of the limbs—and even death—may occur.

When you see any signs of heat illness or heat stroke, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the individual at risk.

Treatment tips include:

• Getting the athlete to a shaded area.
• If it is heat stroke, cool the athlete rapidly using cold water immersion. If immersion is not available you may use spray from a hose, cold water sponging or placing cold towels over the entire body.
• Monitoring body temperature.
• Providing cool beverages if possible (i.e., if the athlete does not have altered consciousness).
• Getting medical assistance as soon as possible.

Heat exhaustion is a form of heat illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.