Summertime can bring out the best - and worst - in us. You want to play hard (good), but don’t hydrate yourself (bad). Or spend too much time exerting yourself in the sun (again, bad). The result can be a case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
At this time of year, it’s very important that parents, coaches and lifeguards understand the differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The most important difference is this -heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in which your brain can no longer regulate your body temperature. This can result in damage to your organs or brain as your temperature escalates above 105°F.
Those most likely to suffer from heat stroke have trouble moderating body temperature - the elderly, infants and people on blood pressure, depression or allergy medications.
Those suffering from heat stroke typically have the following symptoms.
- Dizziness, confusion, hallucinations
- Unconsciousness
- Skin that is dry, flushed, hot
- Hyperventilation
- Changing blood pressure -can be elevated and then fall
- Rectal temperature of 105°F
And beware - heat stroke can develop rapidly. If you even suspect that you or another person are suffering from heat stroke, call 911. If someone has heat stroke, there are a few things you can do while awaiting the ambulance.
- If the person is conscious, move them to a cooler place or into cool water.
- Place lukewarm water on their skin and use a fan to blow air across the skin.
- If the person is not acting abnormally, try to give the person water to drink. If the person can’t tolerate the liquids, stop immediately.
Heat exhaustion is less severe and usually occurs when people overheat during exercise. The person’s body temperature does not get above 104°F. People are more susceptible to heat exhaustion when it is humid outside because the body doesn’t sweat and cool itself as effectively on humid days.
Those suffering from heat exhaustion may:
- Sweat profusely
- Suffer from muscle cramps or aches
- Have pale, moist and cool skin
- Be dizzy or feel faint
- Have a headache
- Feel weak, thirsty or nauseous
- Have an increased pulse rate
- Have a core temperature above 100°F
In some instances, heat exhaustion can be more serious. If the person can’t drink fluids, vomits continually, has chest or abdominal pain, is delirious or unconscious, or has a temperature above 104°F, seek medical attention immediately.
For mild cases of heat exhaustion, give the person plenty of fluids (not soda), have them eat some salty snacks, get them to rest in a cool place, have them remove excess clothing and apply cool water to their skin.
Get outdoors and play - just be smart. Rest when needed, drink plenty of fluids and take a few minutes to enjoy the shade.
To parents — get your kids of the couch at an early age and promote a lifestyle that includes some sort of exercise every day (be it biking, a walk around the block, hitting baseballs, swimming, gardening…). To kids — get active, get outdoors.
Why? Well, besides the long-established benefits — cardiovascular health, lower rates of obesity and diabetes, healthier proportions of muscle mass — a new study shows a connection between exercise and GPA. According to the study, “Twenty minutes of daily vigorous physical activity among college students may lead them to have grade point averages about .4 higher, on a scale of 4.0, compared with students who do not exercise.”
Now think of what 40 minutes of exercise could do! I’m kidding, of course, but the study did indicate that while daily exercise is not necessary — the research did indicate that more exercise is better.
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