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Heat Illness PE
Heat Illness PE
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Pdf Summary
Heat illness in athletes occurs when the body's ability to regulate temperature is overwhelmed, leading to a rise in core temperature. This condition can range from mild symptoms such as heat cramps to potentially fatal heat stroke if untreated. Risk factors for heat illness include age (particularly the elderly and young children), exercise in hot climates, sudden exposure to heat, high humidity, and heavy sports gear.<br /><br />Symptoms of heat illness are categorized as minor or moderate/severe. Minor symptoms include swelling, cramps, lightheadedness, and muscular spasms. More serious symptoms can involve mental status changes, high body temperature, altered sweating patterns, fatigue, headaches, nausea, seizures, and skin changes like chills or hot skin.<br /><br />To treat severe heat illness, immediate steps should be taken to lower body temperature, often through whole-body immersion in cold water. It's advised against using fever-reducing medications. Mild cases can be managed with fluids, rest, massage, and limb elevation.<br /><br />Preventative measures include acclimatizing to heat and humidity over 10-14 days, wearing light and protective clothing, staying hydrated, reviewing medications, and planning activities with weather and personal factors in mind. Upon experiencing heat illness, athletes should consult a physician before resuming activity, and gradually reintroduce exercise.<br /><br />AMSSM, an organization of sports medicine specialists, emphasizes the importance of education and proper care for athletes. Its members are usually primary care sports physicians, serving various levels of sports teams and providing comprehensive care for active individuals. Athletes can find a sports medicine physician through resources like the AMSSM's website.
Meta Tag
Edition
2nd Edition
Related Case
2nd Edition, CASE 35
Topic
Metabolic Disorders
Keywords
2nd Edition, CASE 35
2nd Edition
Metabolic Disorders
heat illness
athletes
core temperature
heat stroke
risk factors
symptoms
treatment
prevention
AMSSM
sports medicine
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