Heat-related Illnesses

Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness. Children and adolescents adjust more slowly than adults do to changes in environmental heat. They also produce more heat with activity than adults, and sweat less. Sweating is one of the body's normal cooling mechanisms. Children and adolescents often do not think to rest when having fun and may not drink enough fluids when playing, exercising, or participating in sports.

Children and adolescents with chronic health problems, or those who take certain medicines, may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Children and adolescents who are overweight or wear heavy clothing during exertion, such as marching band or football uniforms, are also more susceptible.

There are three types of heat-related illnesses:

• Exercise-associated muscle cramps

• Heat exhaustion

• Heat stroke

Exercise-associated muscle cramps are the mildest form of heat injury and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat.

Heat exhaustion is more severe than exercise-associated muscle cramps and results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly and, if left untreated, can progress to heat stroke.

Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

The following chart contains the most common symptoms of heat-related injuries. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. In addition specific treatment will be determined by your child's primary care provider and may include some, or more, of the following:

Some general guidelines to help protect your child from heat-related illnesses include the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids before and during vigorous or outdoor activities (including sunbathing), especially on hot days. Drinks of choice include water and sports drinks; avoid alcohol and fluids with caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and soda, as these can lead to dehydration.

• Make sure your child dresses in light colored, lightweight, tightly-woven, loose-fitting clothing on hot days.

• Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day. Take rest periods in shady or cool areas.

• Makes sure your child is protected from the sun and wears a hat and sunglasses, and uses an umbrella. Use a sunscreen that is at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and reapply at least every two hours.

• Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your child's body used to the heat.

• Teach children to take frequent drink breaks and "wet down" or mist themselves with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.

• Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.

• Teach your child to warm up before and cool down and after exercising.

• If your child has a medical condition or is taking medication, consult your child's primary care provider for further advice for preventing heat-related illnesses.