Tag: Sports drinks

Heat-Related Illnesses in Teens

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 doesnt 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.

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Children Hydrating While Playing In Sun

Children can get dehydrated very easily under normal circumstances but children hydrating while playing in sun and heat is especially important.

Having a readily accessible source of water for your kids to drink whenever they pass by is essential. Kids do not want to have to work at doing what is best for them, they are only interested in having fun especially if a pool and friends are involved.

Even if you have water readily available they may not even think about taking a drink unless you prompt them to. So, when your kids are playing outside make sure they take a drink at least every 30 minutes or so so they stay hydrated.

Sometimes if it is especially hot and they are outside, water may not be enough. Essential electrolytes are lost in sweat and need to be replaced. A nice low sugar sports drink is the best way to accomplish this. They taste good and are good for you and your children hydrating while playing in sun.

If for some reason they do not like the sports drinks then juices with no added sugar will also do nicely to keep them from becoming dehydrated.

I know that it can be hard sometimes to get your kids to stop doing something they love to do like playing in the pool on a hot summer day but you should also encourage them to take a break from being in full sun and find some nice shade where they can rest their little bodies.

A good way to do this is to plan out a picnic lunch and when they time comes find a nice shady spot to get them out of the sun. Encourage them to lie down after they eat and just rest.

If they are young enough or have played hard enough you might just get lucky and they will find they need a nap after lunch.

Have healthy food prepared for them and include some fruits that are high in water content like watermelon or grapes. Things that are easy for them to eat and will help with their hydration as well.

The heat of the day will drain them and they should either go inside and rest or enjoy some indoor activities or play in the shade for a while during the hours of 10am to 4pm. These are the hours when the sun is at it’s peak and your children should be protected.

Do not forget to put sun screen on them at least thirty minutes before they go outside and then reapply it every two hours. Swimming and sweating deplete the effectiveness of the sun screen over time so reapplying every two hours they are outside is a must.

Parenting can be tough and getting your children to do what is best for them can be a challenge but if you carefully explain to them why they need to take frequent drinks then you should really not have a problem with your children hydrating while playing in sun this summer.