Heat related illnesses are caused due to prolonged
exposure to heat and also humidity without any reprieve
and due to inadequate intake of fluids. Kids and teens
adjust to the variations in heat compared to adults who
adapt more quickly. However the heat production is high
in them when compared to adults but sweat relatively
less. Sweating is the natural action of the body and
cooling mechanism to counter heat. Kids and teens often
ignore these facts and do not hydrate themselves enough
while playing, participating in sports and exercises.
Kids and teens with health problems that are chronic or
those who are on certain prescription could be more
susceptible to heat related problems. Overweight
adolescents or those who wear heavy clothing in times of
exertion also suffer heat related illnesses. Heat
related illnesses are basically classified into three
types. They are: Heat cramps, heat stroke and heat
exhaustion.
Heat cramps are the mildest of all heat related injuries
and constitute aching muscle cramps and also spasms that
occur during intense exercising and also after intense
exercising and also sweating in high heat. The symptoms
of heat cramps include cramps that are painful in the
legs. Flushed and moist skin is also symptoms of heat
cramps. The symptoms could also include mild fever
generally below 102 degree Fahrenheit. Teens suffering
from heat cramps should move to a cool place and take
adequate rest. Remove any excessive clothing and wear or
put cool clothing on skin or cool skin using air
conditioner or fan. Sports drinks which are cool and
which contains sugars and salts can also be taken.
Stretching out cramped muscles slowly and steadily also
helps reduce heat cramps.
On the other hand hear exhaustion is more serious and
severe compared to heat cramps and occur due to heavy
loss of salt and water from the body. Extreme heat
conditions, inadequate fluid intake and excessive
sweating results in this conditions. Also, heat
exhaustion occurs as a result of inability of the body
to maintain the body temperature below the normal which
can deteriorate further and also result in a heat stroke
which is even worse. The symptoms of heat exhaustion
are: muscle cramps, moist skin, pale skin, nausea, fever
above 102 degree Fahrenheit, diarrhea, vomiting,
fatigue, headache, weakness, anxiety and faint feeling.
Teens suffering from heat exhaustion should stay in cool
surrounding and take enough rest. Removing excessive
clothing, putting on cool clothes and sitting in fan or
air conditioning also helps the situation. Intake of
cold sports drinks which contains salts and sugars are
also advisable. If a teen doesn’t show any signs of
improvement even after taking all these measures a
physician should be consulted immediately.
Heat stroke is the severest condition of all heat
related illnesses. In this condition the body gets
overwhelmed with excessive heat and the efficiency of
the system that regulates body heat goes down
considerably which can result in a serious emergency
requiring immediate medical care. The symptoms of heat
stroke include dry and warm skin, very high fever
generally above 104 degree Fahrenheit, increased heart
rate, appetite loss, nausea, headache, vomiting,
fatigue, agitation, confusion, stupor, seizures, coma
and possible death. A teenager experiencing symptoms of
heat stroke should stay in a cool place and have
adequate rest. Heat stroke is a serious condition and
emergency attention should be sought by calling 911. In
the meanwhile the affected teenager should be made free
of excessive clothing and should be worn with cool
clothes and also put cool water on the skin to lower the
temperature. Placing ice bags in armpits also helps.
Make the teenager drink cool drinks if the teenager is
alert.
Heat strokes are very much preventable if certain
precautions are taken like drinking adequate water
during hot days, avoiding alcoholic and caffeine drinks,
wearing light clothes, exercising in cooler time of the
day, wearing sunglasses and hat, using umbrella on a hot
day, applying sun cream with a spf of at least 15 etc.
