HEALTHY
Lifestyle
HEALTH UPDATE NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS By Katherine N. Knight, APRN, AG-PC, NP-C
As students head back to school and athletes get back in the game this fall, there are many health-related issues student athletes need to be on the lookout for. In Arkansas specifically, heat-related illnesses can be a major cause for concern among students spending a lot of time outside.
and heat-related illnesses are among the top causes of death in athletes. It is crucial to the safety of student athletes to understand the different conditions and their symptoms. MILD CONDITIONS
There are actually several different disease states and syndromes directly related to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The symptoms can range from heat exhaustion, exercise-induced muscle cramps or collapse, heat edema, and life-threatening heatstroke. Those at the highest risk for these are athletes, outdoor laborers and military personnel. Several factors can lead to an individual’s having an increased risk. Those can range from medications, environmental exposure, unknown or known medical conditions, and the inability to adapt to the current climate. This is usually due to an impaired ability of the body to cool itself based on the exposure, the body’s nourishment, and any restriction that can lead to an impaired cooling mechanism.
Heat Edema Heat edema typically presents with facial flushing or redness, and extremity swelling (usually in the lower extremity). Treatment consists of moving from the heat and elevating the extremity. Heat Cramps Symptoms of heat cramps include muscle spasms that occur mostly in the stomach, calves or thighs, normal body temperature, moist and cool skin (usually occurs after extended or intense physical activity). Treatment normally consists of moving from the heat, resting, leg elevation, stretching, massage, and oral electrolyte or fluid repletion. Heat Rash
Some major risk factors are strenuous exercise in high temperatures or humidity; poor physical fitness; or excessive gear, clothing, or equipment. These heat-related illnesses are often found in high school students, with nearly 9,000 cases reported each year,
Symptoms of a heat rash include red papules/pustules or lesions on the neck, arms or legs, truck and groin (usually on skin covered by clothing). Treatment includes removing clothes and evaporative cooling (by drying the skin).
22 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Annual Salt Bowl Edition
IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH BEING ILL OR HAVE MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SORT, YOU MAY QUESTION WHAT A TRUE EMERGENCY IS. MODERATE CONDITIONS (Treated in the Emergency Department) Heat Syncope Heat Syncope typically presents with lightheadedness, a syncopal episode or brief loss of consciousness (syncopal episodes usually occur immediately after strenuous activity). Treatment includes rest in the supine position, drinking fluids or IV rehydration, and elevation of the legs. Patients may seek treatment in an urgent care, Emergency Department or with their primary care physician for further evaluation. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is the most common heat-related illness, and can progress to heatstroke if not recognized early and treated. Symptoms include thirst, headache, fatigue, palpitations or tachycardia, weakness, syncope, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold and clammy skin, slurred speech, stumbling, falling and incoordination. Body or core temperature reaches 101 to 104 degrees F, but the patient’s mentation is usually still intact; any alteration in mentation leads to a severe heat illness.
