According to Dr. Woods, children
are more susceptible than adults to all forms of heat-related
illness.
But parents can help their children stay cool and protected from
heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat
exhaustion and heat stroke.
Hydration is the name of the game
And the most common
culprit is dehydration, as children and teens are less likely to
think about staying hydrated and often don’t drink enough water
as they exercise in the heat. Children tend to be more focused
on having fun, socializing and relaxing during their rest
breaks, instead of replenishing their bodies with needed fluids.
“Children don’t really
understand the concept of staying hydrated—that when they are
sweating during exercise, the fluids have to be replaced,” says
Dr. Woods. “Once they get dehydrated, it’s hard for them to
catch up, leaving them vulnerable to heat-related illness.”
The dangers of dehydration
There are four major types of heat-related illness:
• Dehydration is when the
body loses too much water, and it can lead to mild to severe
heat-related conditions including disorientation and
headaches.
• Heat cramps are painful
cramps, usually in the legs, caused by a combination of
dehydration and exercise.
• Heat exhaustion is a more
severe condition, with symptoms that may include cramping,
pale and moist skin, a temperature over 102 degrees
Fahrenheit, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and weakness.
• Heat stroke is the most
dangerous heat-related illness and is a life-threatening
medical emergency.
Symptoms may include those of
heat exhaustion. In addition, there may be temperature over 104
degrees, absence of sweating, red or flushed skin, rapid pulse,
difficulty breathing and hallucinations or confusion.
Dr. Woods encourages parents to
make sure their young athletes are well hydrated before they
even start their active day. Make sure your child drinks fluids
with breakfast each morning and understands the importance of
drinking water throughout the day, even if the child doesn’t
feel thirsty.
This reminder is especially
important for children who aren’t used to exercise, are
overweight, take certain medications that can cause dehydration,
or have chronic health problems, as they are at an even higher
risk for heat-related illness.
“Adults understand the
importance of sipping on a water bottle throughout a sports
practice or game, while children don’t recognize the need if
they don’t feel thirsty,” says Dr. Woods. “Remember that by the
time a child actually feels thirsty, he or she is most likely
already dehydrated. Make sure your camper doesn’t use thirst as
their only measure.”
Beating the heat all day
long
It’s also a good idea to talk to the director of your child’s
sports camp about your concerns. Make sure the camp has a plan
to slowly acclimate young athletes to the heat, that they
schedule vigorous activity during cooler times of the day, and
that they have indoor activities available when needed. During
outdoor activity, children should have access to a shaded area
to rest and cool down. In addition, make sure the camp has
plenty of drinking water on hand and that frequent drinking is
encouraged, advises Dr. Woods.
In addition, the camp personnel
should know how to recognize the symptoms of heat illnesses and
how to treat the victims.
To treat any suspected heat
illness, the first step is to cool the victim. Move the person
to a shady area, give cool water to drink, remove excess
clothing, apply cool water to the skin, fan the victim to
promote evaporation, and place ice packs under the armpits and
groin. Call emergency personnel immediately if the victim shows
the more dangerous signs of heat stroke.
Living in the Texas heat
doesn’t mean that active children have to forego the fun of
summer. But staying hydrated has to be one of the rules in order
to make sports camps as safe as possible.
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Simple Steps for Parents
There are simple steps you can take to help your children
minimize the chances of a heat related illness when they are at
sports camps. Here are some tips:
• Send a water bottle with
your child marked with the minimum amount of fluid the child
should drink at each break. Make sure you see them drink that
amount before you drop them off for practice each day to give
them a head start on the day’s hydration needs.
• Find out from the camp how
often the coaches take water and rest breaks. Children should
drink 5 ounces of water or sports beverage for every 20
minutes of activity. Adolescents should drink at least 9
ounces every 20 minutes.
• Have your child’s favorite
after-sports drink cool and ready for them to drink in the car
on the way home from sports camp each day.
• Dress children in
light-colored, lightweight clothing to help them stay cool.
• Make sure the coaches have
the children remove protective headgear like helmets when not
participating in activity, to allow heat to escape.
• Discuss any concerns you
may have about heat-related illness with the sports camp
director and coaches. Make sure that they are aware of the
risks in young athletes, can recognize the symptoms, and know
how to administer first aid.
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