The heat is on!

By Elizabeth Murray, D.O.

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician, UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital 

High temperatures can lead to heat-related health concerns — this should come as a surprise to no one. But in the Northeast, we also have to be wary of high humidity. When we sweat, the moisture on our skin evaporates and cools us. But if it’s humid, the air is moist, our sweat doesn’t evaporate and our bodies are deprived of this natural cooling mechanism. As with many things, prevention, when possible, is the best way to tackle the heat.

PREVENTION TIPS

• Work with local schools and summer sports teams to schedule practices in the early morning or early evening. It is better to ease into practice in warm or humid weather, as heat exhaustion can happen even to the most highly trained athletes. 
• Take drink breaks every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Set the expectation that you should listen to your body and not try to play through exhaustion. Staying cool and drinking fluids is not a sign of a bad athlete. Start teaching children at a young age what to look out for as a clue that they may be overheating.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• Heat injury is a spectrum ranging from minor (heat cramps) to severe (heat stroke). Early symptoms can be subtle, such as a leg cramp. If this develops, it’s time to stop and replace your fluids. This is a time when choosing a sports drink (or rehydration drink) is best.
• Drink often but don’t guzzle. Sip and sit in a cool, shady spot. 
• One of the most dangerous signs is if an overheated person stops sweating.  A person in this condition may become confused, combative, or even pass out. This is a life-threatening emergency: Call 911 immediately. Bystanders should begin cooling measures (get the overheated person in the shade or air conditioning and apply icepacks or a cold cloth to neck and armpits), but do not try to give anything by mouth, as the person will likely be on the verge of losing consciousness.  
• A person with heat exhaustion will have nausea, dizziness, and an elevated body temperature. At this point, it’s important to stop, cool, hydrate, and monitor. If symptoms do not improve quickly, the person needs evaluation in the Emergency Department.