All Articles by Susan Yeargin, Ph.D, ATC

Hyponatremia: Dangerous Drop in Sodium Level From Excessive Water Consumption

Hyponatremia is a relatively rare form of heat illness in which sodium levels in the blood become dangerously low due to excessive water consumption.  It usually occurs in endurance and ultra-endurance events lasting four hours or longer. While children do not ordinarily participate in these kinds of activities, hyponatremia is so dangerous that it something sports parents should know about.

Three Dehydration Signs: Weight Loss, Dark Urine, Thirst

Weight loss, dark urine, and thirst (WUT)are the three main signs that a young athlete is dehydrated.

 

Exertional Heat Stroke Symptoms & Treatment (EHS)

Exertional heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency in which the body's temperature is too high. Left untreated, exertional heat stroke results in death due to organ damage across all body systems (liver, kidney, brain, etc.). Until medical help arrives, the key is to immediately lower elevated body temperature.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms & Treatment

Exertional heat exhaustion is a serious heat illness which may require medical attention if no improvement in 15 to 20 minutes after removing child to shady place, drinking fluids, and taking off excessive clothing.

Heat Cramps Symptoms and Treatment

Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat illness, do not usually require medical attention, usually occur during or after exercise and affect only the specific muscles exercised.

Pre-Season Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines

In 2009, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) issued a set of high school-specific pre-season heat- acclimatization guidelines as part of its ongoing effort to reduce the number of heat-related athletic injuries in secondary schools. The guidelines have been adopted in seventeen states and are being considered by many others.

Signs and Symptoms of Impending Heat Illness

Symptoms of impending heat illness include chills, nausea, headache, disorientation, and muscle cramping.

Ice-Water Immersion Best for Treating Heat Stroke

Immersion in an ice-water bath is the best way to treat athletes suffering exertional heat stroke say the authors of a 2009 study in the Journal of Athletic Training and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Heat Illnesses: Basic Information

Athletes who exercise in hot or humid weather are prone to three different types of heat illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Replace Electrolytes Lost During Sports

Sweating results in the loss of both electrolytes (particularly sodium) and water. Orange juice, moderate salting of food in the diet, and sports drinks help replace electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride lost during sports.