Our bodies create a tremendous amount of heat. We cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through our skin. Many times, circumstances such as unusually high temperatures, high humidity, or vigorous exercise in hot weather will cause our bodies to become overheated and not be able to naturally cool down.  

The result may be heat illness, which can be in the form of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. Heat cramps, which are brief, severe cramps in the muscles of the leg, arm or abdomen that may occur during or after vigorous exercise in extreme heat, do not require special treatment. According to the Emergency Department at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, if a child is suffering from heat cramps, a cool place, rest, and fluids should ease the discomfort, along with massaging the cramped muscles.

More severe heat illness can occur when a person is in a hot climate or has not been drinking enough fluids; this is referred to as heat exhaustion. If a child shows signs of heat exhaustion, resting in a cool area and drinking fluids are the keys to recovery. A parent or other adult may also loosen or remove clothing, encourage the child to eat food and drink, give a bath in cool water, or in extreme cases call a physician for further advice.

The most severe problem with becoming overheated is the possibility of a heatstroke, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Factors that increase the risk for heatstroke include overdressing and extreme physical exertion in hot weather.

If a child begins to show signs of headache, dizziness, weakness, disorientation, agitation, confusion, sluggishness, seizure, hot dry skin, temperature of 105 degrees F. or higher, or loss of consciousness, call emergency medical services or 911 immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, get the child indoors or in the shade, undress them, and sponge or douse them with cool water.

“The problems associated with heat illness can be reduced with the proper amount of precaution in hot weather or while a child is exercising,” said Dr. Heather Edgley, Emergency Medical Physician at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. “Kids are meant to play and to be outside but the heat and exercise needs to be beneficial, fun and not harmful.”

Doing simple thing like keeping a cooler of cold water or other sports drinks, encouraging children to sit under shade trees in the yard and offering inside break times from the heat may prevent children from becoming overheated or getting an heat illness.

For more information on heat illness, visit the Children’s Hospital Web Site at www.etch.com or call the Children’s Hospital Community Relations Department at (865) 541-8165.