This summer had above average temperatures. Now it’s football season and many high school and college athletes are hitting the field for practice. The National Center for Sports Safety (NCSS) wants communities and coaches to be aware of the increased risks of heat related illnesses.
“Heat injuries are easy to spot, making this type of injury easily preventable,” says Beth Kates, Sports Medicine Outreach and Certified Athletic Trainer. Here are the warning signs:
- Heat Stress: heat stress makes you feel uncomfortable and decreases performance. Some people may feel dizzy or possibly faint.
- Heat exhaustion: An individual experiences fatigue, heavy sweating, clammy or flushed skin, dizziness, and difficulty breathing and sometimes vomiting or fainting.
- Heat stroke: Heat stroke occurs when a victim’s body temperature reaches 104+ degrees and is a life-threatening heat injury. Heat stroke can lead to coma or death in the worst cases. Early signs include: body temps above 104 degrees, rapid heart-rate, bluish or red skin, dizziness, shivering, nausea, and severe headache that leads to confusion, convulsions and unconsciousness.
Kates says, “Staying hydrated and taking breaks at regular intervals can help coaches and players avoid or deter heat illness.”
However, if someone is suffering from a heat stroke the best option is to call an ambulance and move the victim to a cooler place. If you can’t get indoors, then a shade will do. Also, remove any outer clothing, especially football equipment. If you have cold packs or a tub of cool water, use it. DO NOT USE ICE WATER. If nothing else, fan the victim vigorously to help promote cooling.
Three easy ways to avoid even the mildest of heat injury include:
- Drink ½ to 1 cup of water every 20 minutes
- Schedule practices in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest times of the day
- Rest at regular intervals
Heat can be a serious problem is taken lightly.
