Don't Fry or Die: Be Safe in the Sun

Remember Corey Stringer? He was an All pro defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings football team who died at 27 due to heat stroke in August, 2001 during football practice. He was surrounded by sports professionals, plenty of water, sports drinks and ice, and still met an untimely, unnecessary death due heat stroke. This need not happen to you or your loved ones.

Heat illnesses form a continuum meaning one illness gradually progresses into the next. Heat cramps present as achy, stiff muscles or muscle spasms occurring during heavy exercise in hot environments. Muscles groups most often involved include the calves, abdominal wall, arms and back although no muscle group is immune. Treatment requires stopping the exercise, getting to a cool area, gently stretching the muscles, and drinking cool water or an electrolyte drink.

Heat syncope (fainting in the heat) typically occurs during the 1st five days of adjustment to a new activity. Teens and young adults who are beginning summer practice sessions are vulnerable to this. Weakness, fatigue and fainting are how it presents itself.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there are 2 types of heat exhaustion. One is that due to water depletion. This involves heavy sweating which starts to decrease. Danger: your body is losing its ability to cool itself. Once the sweating slows, you become dehydrated, and the body's temperature goes to about 104 degrees. You may experience excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and even loss of consciousness. The second is heat exhaustion due to salt depletion. You are at risk for this when you fail to replace normal body salts and minerals lost in the sweat. This can happen during extended exercise sessions during which you drink water alone instead of sports drinks containing electrolytes like sodium and potassium.

Treatment for heat syncope and exhaustion is the same. Get to a cool area sheltered from the sun. Take off tight clothing. If the affected person is conscious, have them drink the fluids mentioned, not soda or energy drinks. Use a fan and icy towels to lower the core body temperature, and get that person to an ER.

The most severe form of heat illness is heat stroke. This occurs when the sweating stops and the body's core temperature exceeds 104 degrees. Confusion, nausea, seizures and coma are possible at this point. It can also present without signs of heat cramps or heat exhaustion. This is indeed an emergency. Call 911.

Don't allow a beautiful sunny day turn into one of tragedy. Knowing the progression of heat illnesses from heat rash, to heat cramps, to heat exhaustion, and finally to heat stroke, should allow you and your family to enjoy fun in the sun for many days to come.


Be safe. Be successful.

RAPP M.D.