Preventing Dehydration

1
Preventing Dehydration Heat Illness in Children

• What are the risks?
• What are the signs of dehydration?
• How can you prevent dehydration?
• What can you do for heat illness?

Designed by Joan Baier, CSN, BSN
2
What are the risk factors for Dehydration?

• Prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
• Prolonged exposure to direct sun.
• Prolonged exposure to high humidity.
• Insufficient rest.
• Insufficient fluid intake.

3
Early Signs of Dehydration

• Fatigue
• Thirst
• Dry lips and tongue
• Lack of energy
• Feeling overheated

4
Types of Heat Illness Caused by Untreated
Dehydration

• Heat cramps Painful cramps of the abdominal
  muscles, arms, or legs.
• Heat exhaustion Dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
  headaches, weakness, muscle pain, sometimes
  unconsciousness.
• Heat Stroke A temperature of 104F or higher
  severe symptoms including nausea vomiting,
  seizures, disorientation or delirium, lack of
  sweating, shortness of breath, unconsciousness,
  coma.

5
Help your Child Prevent Dehydration

• Drink cool water healthy sports drinks early
  often.
• Be fully hydrated BEFORE going out to play or
  practice.
• During play make sure your child takes regular
  breaks to drink fluid.
• Slowly build up your childs fitness ability
  to handle the heat. Fitter children will start
  to sweat after beginning to exercise thats a
  good thing!

6
Facts About Dehydration

• Dehydration is cumulative, it builds up over
  time. For example if your child is 1 or 2
  dehydrated on Monday doesnt drink enough
  fluids that night, then gets 1 or 2 dehydrated
  on Tuesday, your child will be 3 or 4
  dehydrated at the end of the day Tuesday.
• Dehydration may be gradually developing but it
  doesnt show up for several days.
• Monitor your childs hydration by weighing your
  child before after practice. If his weight
  drops, hes not drinking enough during his
  workout.
• If your childs urine is dark in color, rather
  than clear or light yellow, your child may
  becoming dehydrated.

7
Helping a Child With Heat Illness

• Get the child out of the sun into a cool, shaded,
  comfortable place.
• Have the child drink plenty of cool fluids
  (caffeine free).
• Take any excess layers of clothing or bulky
  equipment off.
• Place cool wet cloths on overheated skin.
• To relieve muscle cramps caused by heat illness,
  gently stretch the affected muscle.

8
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

• Heat exhaustion should be treated the same way as
  heat illness. BUT, the child should NOT be
  allowed to play again that same day!
• Heat stroke is ALWAYS an emergency and requires
  immediate medical attention!

9
Risk Factors that Increase a Childs Chance of
Getting Dehydration or Heat Illness

• A previous episode of dehydration or heat illness
  put a child at greater risk.
• Obesity
• Recent illness (especially if the child has been
  vomiting or has had diarrhea).
• Use of antihistamines or diuretics.
• Not being used to the hot weather
• Exercising beyond their level of fitness.

10
When is it Too Hot for a Child to Play or
Practice Outside?

• The National Athletic Trainers Association
  (NATA) offers a parents and coaches guide of a
  heat-index chart recommends when outdoor
  practice games should be cancelled due to heat.
• Click here to see the guide provided by NATA.