HEAT-

RELATED
DISORDERS
1. Heat Cramps
2. Heat Exhaustion
3. Heat Stroke
HEAT CRAMPS
-Is a type of heat illness,
wherein muscle spasms results
from loss of large amount of
salt and water through
exercise. Heat cramps are
associated with cramping in
the abdomen, arms and calves.
 avoiding exercise or work during
the heat of the day,
 drinking plenty of fluids, and
 resting in cool or shaded areas
when possible.
rest
cooling the body
hydration
stretching the muscles that are cramping
 HEAT EXHAUSTION
- is a condition whose
symptoms may include
heavy sweating and a
rapid pulse, a result of
your body overheating.
 Drink plenty of fluids, especially
sports drinks to replace lost salt
(avoid caffeine and alcohol).
 Remove any tight or unnecessary
clothing.

 Ifthe person is unconscious,

medically supervised intravenous
administration of Saline Solution is
recommended.
 HEAT STROKE

- is a life-threatening heat
disorder that requires
immediate medical
attention.
2
1. Exertional heat stroke occurs when someone is
vigorously active in a hot environment, such as playing
sports on a hot summer day or participating in military
training activities. It typically strikes young, otherwise
healthy people, those least likely to be concerned about
the effects of heat on their health. Because of the lack
of concern, early symptoms may be dismissed or ignored.
2. Non-exertional heat stroke tends to
occur in people who have a diminished
ability to regulate body temperature,
such as older people, very young children
or people with chronic illnesses. High
heat in the surrounding environment,
without vigorous activity, can be enough
to cause heat stroke in these people.
Heat stroke can come on
suddenly, but warning
symptoms often appear  Headache
first. They include:
 Dizziness
 Weakness
 Abdominal cramps
 Heavy sweat or a lack of
 Muscle cramps
sweat
 Vomiting
 When heat stroke starts,
neurological symptoms
can include:

 Odd or bizarre behavior

 Delusions
 Hallucinations
 Seizures
 Coma
 Drink lots of water throughout the day.
 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, preferably with a loose-
weave material that lets air get to your skin.
 Avoid strenuous activity in the hottest part of the day (between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m.). If you must participate, take frequent breaks,
limit the time that you wear a helmet by taking it off between
activities, and avoid wearing heavy uniforms or equipment.
 Drink less caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to
dehydration.
Removing tight or unnecessary clothing,
Spraying the person with water
Blowing cool air on the person
Wrapping the person loosely in wet sheets.
Ice packs can be placed at the neck, groin and
armpits to accelerate cooling.
When exercising in the heat, if you suddenly feel chilled
and goose bumps form on your skin, stop exercising, get
into a cool environment, and drink plenty of water.

Left untreated, this condition can lead to heat

stroke and DEATH.
  Avoid hot, heavy meals. Avoid alcohol.
 Scheduling practices and contests either
early in the morning or at night avoids
PREVENTION the heat stress of midday.
OF  Fluidsshould be readily available and
athletes should be required to drink as
HYPERTHERMIA much as they can, stopping every 10 to
(High body 20 minutes for a fluid break.
temperature)  Don’t use rubberized suit.
 Athletes should wear as little clothing as
possible.
ACCLIMATIZATION TO

EXERCISE IN THE HEAT

 Effects of Heat Acclimatization

 Repeated prolonged exercise bouts in the heat

cause gradual improvement in your ability to
eliminate excess body heat, which reduces your
risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
 At the beginning of exercise, sweating starts
earlier in an acclimatized person, which improves
heat tolerance.
Achieving Heat Acclimatization
 Athletesmust exercise in
a hot environment.  Normal workouts in the
heat for 5 to 10 days
provides nearly total
heat acclimatization .

 Workout intensity should

be reduced to 60% to 70%
during the first few days.
 COLD ACCLIMATIZATION
 The ability to withstand cold is less to do with fundamental
physiological differences in generating heat and maintaining
body temperature.
 Repeated exposure to the cold may alter peripheral blood
flow and skin temperatures, allowing greater cold
tolerance.
SOURCES:
American College of Sports Medicine. (1987). Prevention of thermal injuries during
distance running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 18, 529-533.
Knowlton, F.P., & Starling, E.H. (1912). The influence of variations in temperature and
blood-pressure on the performance of the isolated mammalian heart. Journal of
Physiology, 44, 206-218.

Khatri, M. (2019, July 30). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/first-

aid/understanding-heat-relaillnessted--basics