Heat illness and heatstroke

HEAT ILLNESS AND HEATSTROKE

Our bodies are normally cooled through sweating and radiating heat through our skin. Under certain circumstances (unusually high temperatures, high humidity, or vigorous exercise in hot weather) this natural cooling system may begin to fail, allowing internal heat to build up to dangerous levels. The result may be heat illness, which can result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, sunstrokes or heatstroke.

Heat cramps:

Heat cramps are brief, severe cramps in the muscles of the legs, arms, or abdomen that can occur during or after vigorous exercise in extreme heat. The sweating that occurs with vigorous exercise causes the body to lose salts and fluids. And the low level of salts causes the muscles to cramp.

Kids are particularly susceptible to heat cramps when they haven't been drinking enough fluids. Heat cramps aren't serious.

What to do:

Most heat cramps don't require special treatment.

· Go to cool places. 

· Rest.

· Drink fluids. 

· Massage cramped muscles.

Heat Exhaustion:

Heat exhaustion is a more severe heat illness that can occur when someone in a hot climate or environment hasn't been drinking enough fluids. Symptoms may include:

· Dehydration

· Fatigue

· Weakness

· Clammy skin

· Headache

· Nausea and/or vomiting

· Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)

· Irritability

What to do:

· Bring the child indoors or into the shade.

· Loosen or remove the child's clothing.

· Encourage the child to eat and drink.

· Give the child a bath in cool (not cold) water.

· Call your doctor for further advice. If the child is too exhausted or ill to eat or drink, intravenous (IV) fluids may be necessary.

If you don’t treat it, heat exhaustion may escalate into heatstroke, which can be fatal.

Heatstroke

The most severe form of heat illness, heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. The body loses its ability to regulate its own temperature. A quick medical treatment is required to bring the body temperature under control.

Factors that increase the risk for heatstroke include overdressing and extreme physical effort in hot weather without drinking inadequate fluid. 

Heatstroke also can happen when a child is left in, or becomes accidentally trapped in, a car on a hot day.

What to do:

Call for emergency medical help if your child has been outside in the sun exercising for a long time and shows one or more of these symptoms of heatstroke:

· flushed, hot, dry skin with no sweating

· temperature of 105° F (40.6° C) or higher

· severe, throbbing headache

· weakness, dizziness, or confusion

· sluggishness or fatigue

· seizure

· decreased responsiveness

· loss of consciousness

While waiting for help…

· Get the child indoors or into the shade.

· Undress the child and sponge him or her with cool water.

· DO NOT give fluids.

How to protect kids from heat illness:

· Teach kids to always drink plenty of fluids before and during an activity in hot, sunny weather.

· Make sure kids wear light-colored, loose clothing.

· Make sure your kids only participate in heavy activity outdoors before midday and after 6 PM.

· Teach kids to come indoors immediately whenever they feel overheated.

New - First Aid for Heat Stroke with Nick Rondinelli (Video)