If you’re like us, you’ve been spending a lot of time out in the summer sun recently. You might be exercising, or just playing sports with friends for fun, but you need to be careful with how much you exert yourself and the amount of sun you and your family are taking in. Some examples of potentially serious heat injuries include heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke, which can result in death. In fact, almost 700 Americans die each year from heat-related injuries like dehydration and overheating.
Many of these deaths are preventable, but it’s important to recognize the symptoms when they start, and to take the proper precautions to stay cool this summer. Some symptoms include nausea, extremely high body temperature (103°F+), dizziness, a throbbing headache, and unconsciousness.
People of all ages can be susceptible, so make sure to follow these steps, as recommended by the National Association of Athletic Trainers (NATA) and the Centers for Disease Control:
- Take gradual steps in increasing the intensity of your activity in the heat. This allows your body to better prepare for warmer conditions and reduces chances of injury or heat illness.
- Make sure to take plenty of rest breaks, always stay properly hydrated, and wear lightweight clothing.
- Plan to exercise during the early morning or late evening if possible, when the temperatures tend to be cooler.
- If someone shows warning signs of heat illness, get the victim to a shady area right away. Try to cool the victim immediately with a wet cloth, or spray from a cool shower or garden hose. Seek out medical help as soon as possible.
Check out the NATA site for more tips on how to stay cool this summer during your workouts. Knowing how to recognize and respond to the symptoms could help you save someone’s life.
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