Hot Weather Protection

Written by: Dr. Kenneth Cheng

With record temperatures recorded around the country this summer, there is reason to be concerned about your children out in heat.

Football and the fall athletic season is almost upon us and it is especially important to be aware of the warning signs of serious health conditions, such as heat stroke, and prepare yourself and your family to throw around the pigskin.

Warning signs that something may be wrong include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches and dizziness, according to physicians. In many cases, however, individuals can display systems of heat stroke suddenly and without warning.

Extreme symptoms, on the other hand, include high body temperature, lack of sweating with flushed, dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucination, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure or even a coma.

According to a study out of the University of Georgia, most of the heat-related football fatalities during the past 30 years were children under the age of 18 and athletes, along with infants, the elderly and those who work outside are among the most susceptible.

Although the best solution is to avoid extreme heat, there are a few prevention measures you and your family should take when the love of the game draws you out to the field or you just can’t miss your family reunion:

• Wear loose fitting, light clothing
• Get to a cooler place
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take extra precautions with certain medications – ask your pharmacist or doctor about possible side effects while out in the hot sun
• Avoid being inside a hot car, especially children and older adults
• Avoid strenuous activity in the heat

So why it’s great to have fun in the sun, play in the grass and get some exercise, make sure to take the appropriate precautions when headed out the door.