Page 5 - SFHN Sept 22FINALSPf.qxp_SFHN 0608 Friday 5.0

As Kids Return to Practice,

Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion, Heatstroke

BY VANESSA ORR The best way to deal with a person with suspected heatstroke is:
• Call 911
With so many areas facing heat warnings across the country, it’s impor- • Get them out of the heat into a cool and shaded area
tant to know the signs of heatstroke and ways to avoid succumbing to this • Remove any excessive clothing
deadly condition. This is especially important for kids who are heading • Cover with cool wet towels, preferably soaked in ice water; apply
back to sports practice now that school is back in session. ice packs to the groin and the back of the neck and armpits; spray the
“In general terms, heatstroke is a severe case of the body overheating,” person with cool water
explained Vincent Sparber, M.D., KIDZ Medical Services’ director of pedi- • DO NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING TO DRINK, as the person
atric emergency services and chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Bethesda could aspirate the liquid if they are in an altered mental state.
Hospital East. “It is defined as a body temperature higher than 40°C Heat exhaustion can be life-threatening if it is not noticed and pro-
(104°F) associated with neurologic dysfunction.” gresses to heatstroke. Encouraging fluid intake is beneficial (as long as
Symptoms of heatstroke include a fast heart rate, palpitations, headache, there is no risk of aspiration) as are ice packs, cool, wet towels and the
confusion, vomiting, excessive body temperature, difficulty breathing, Dr. Vincent Sparber removal of wet clothing.
weakness, and hot, dry skin. Tell-tale signs of heatstroke include an altered One other concern at this time of year is sun poisoning, which usu-
mental status, excessive vomiting, severe weakness and the cessation of sweating. ally shows up as a rash hours to days after sun exposure and persists for several days
While a lack of sweating may denote heatstroke, this is not always the case; an indi- before subsiding.
vidual with heatstroke may sweat until it is so severe that those mechanisms stop. “Individuals can also get severe sunburns from UV light exposure, and experience
“Symptoms of heatstroke can come quickly, and most people don’t realize that they severe pain and skin redness, blistering and peeling of the skin, and nausea, along with
have it until they start feeling more severe symptoms,” added Dr. Sparber, noting that vomiting, chills, dehydration, headaches and confusion,” said Dr. Sparber. “It can be a
heatstroke is usually due to exposure to high temperatures while performing physical serious condition due to severe dehydration and possible infection from damaged
activity. “Youth who are progressing toward heatstroke may not feel well and sense that skin.”
something is wrong, but may not realize how sick they actually are.” Heat related illness can be avoided by preparation:
Every year, student athletes with undiagnosed heart issues pass away unexpectedly • Know the weather: pay attention to heat and humidity levels.
during or after school practices as the heat exacerbates these unknown medical issues. • Control your activity level. Pace yourself and take breaks.
Heat exhaustion normally proceeds heatstroke, and though the symptoms are less • Hydrate ... hydrate ... hydrate. Drink water or Gatorade. Avoid caffeine, soda and
severe, they should serve as red flags to a potentially worsening scenario. Heat exhaus- liquor.
tion symptoms include rapid heart rate, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, • Know your limits based on your fitness level, age, obesity, and underlying medical
headaches, dizziness, pale and clammy skin, and excessive thirst. conditions.
A person suffering from heatstroke is facing a true medical emergency as the condi- • Wear loose-fitting clothing, hats and sunscreen.
tion can lead to renal failure, liver failure, cardiac arrythmia, cardiac failure, respiratory • Try to do activities early in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid the
failure, seizures, strokes, paralysis, rhabdomyolysis, and electrolyte abnormalities. hottest times of the day.
“Heatstroke can be deadly; when the body's temperature is so high and its ability to
self-regulate its temperature is overwhelmed, the body starts shutting down and the
vital organs start failing,” said Dr. Sparber. “The aim is to cool the body as fast as pos- Vincent Sparber, M.D., is KIDZ Medical Services’ director of pediatric emergency
sible to stop that process from happening.” services and chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Bethesda Hospital East.

F A U C H S TINE E . L YNN C OLLE GE OF NUR S ING
RI
LY

p
p

Expperience

arring

ctionaini

c i
e Y
our Nur
c
A dv anc Yo s ing C ar e er
Ly
Florida A tlaantic Univ er s it y’ s Christine E. L ynn C ollege o f Nur s ing is r ec ogniz ed
f or it s highly ank ed pr ogr ams b y U S . U. . New Wo epor . t
orld R
y
-r
wss & W
RN- t o-B S N (Online) • Choo s e a full- time B S N t o

DNP pr ogr am in f amily , adult/

c
Ma t s er o f S ienc e in Nur s ing ger ont ologic al, or p y s chiatric ment al

• dvA anc edd Holis tic Nur s ing (Online) health nur s e pr actitioner

eAdm
• • NursNur se A dmminis tr ation and Financial
y (PhD)
Doc t or o f Philo s ophy (PhD)
L eader s hip
p (Online)
• Online , with clas s e s held one ww eek end
eek
en
held
• Nur s e E duc at or (Online and In-per s on day per month
c
onc e a y ea ens iv e)
ar int
ific
C err t t ifi at e r ogrgr a amss
e P
at
Doc t or o f N s ing P r ac t ic e (DNP) • elehealth (fully onlineTeelehealth (fuT ly online , on-demand
Nur

nlin
,o
dem
ar
• Online , pa - t time po t s -mas t er s ’ c ouur s s e open t o the public)
o the p
e open tn t
n t
e
pr ogr am w s e s held one
with clas
ology (h

• Derma ology (hoermat ology ybrid pbrid pr ogrr am f or
or
m f
w eek end d
day per month
, with online cnline c
nur s e prpr actitionerner s s , wit our s s e e
our
w ork and “handsnds -on ” ” s kills w ork s hop s)
s
n
ork
SCHOLARSHIPS, TRAINEESHIPS, AND ASSIST AAVVA
T TAANTSHIPS ARE
VAILABLE.
561-297- f www. .nurrs
7-3887 nurrrssing@faau.edu ww
sing.ffaau.edu
apply no w
A
F FA U’’ss College of Nursing is accredited by the CCNNE. It is the only univveersity in t the U.S. to have
all its degree programs endorsed by the American Holis tic Nurrs sing Crreedentiali ng Cent err..
South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com September 2022 5