If your children are starting practices for fall, it’s important to know heat illness can sideline young athletes. Heat illness is usually the result of overexertion in hot, humid weather. It can cause fatigue, muscle cramping or heat stroke. Doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids, saying athletes should drink water the night before a practice or game. Once they’re playing, your child should have saltier drinks to replace lost electrolytes and prevent cramping. It’s also a good idea to take frequent breaks. If an athlete appears to be suffering from heat exhaustion, it’s important to lower their body temperature as soon as possible. “You put ice over their large arteries and blood vessels. You put ice in their groins, ice in the armpits and hose them down. No. 1 thing is to cool them down, get them in the shade and then get them as hydrated as quickly as you can. Obviously, oral hydration would be the best,” Dr. Richard So, from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, said.If an athlete has slurred speech, is confused, agitated or having hallucinations — they should get medical help right away. Watch the video above for the full story.
If your children are starting practices for fall, it’s important to know heat illness can sideline young athletes.
Heat illness is usually the result of overexertion in hot, humid weather.
It can cause fatigue, muscle cramping or heat stroke.
Doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids, saying athletes should drink water the night before a practice or game.
Once they’re playing, your child should have saltier drinks to replace lost electrolytes and prevent cramping.
It’s also a good idea to take frequent breaks.
If an athlete appears to be suffering from heat exhaustion, it’s important to lower their body temperature as soon as possible.
“You put ice over their large arteries and blood vessels. You put ice in their groins, ice in the armpits and hose them down. No. 1 thing is to cool them down, get them in the shade and then get them as hydrated as quickly as you can. Obviously, oral hydration would be the best,” Dr. Richard So, from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, said.
If an athlete has slurred speech, is confused, agitated or having hallucinations — they should get medical help right away.
Watch the video above for the full story.
