By CODY ADAMS
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Kids have a tendency to keep going, even if maybe they don’t feel the best, and the heat can catch up to them quickly. Medical providers say that’s where parents and coaches have to really pay attention.
“It’s really incumbent on the parents and coaches to know their players,” said Jamey Gordon, a certified athletic trainer.
As we experience recording-breaking heat this week, health officials say people should take a cautious approach to outside activity.
“It’s really a combination of the heat and humidity so when you top that 100 degree feels like temp, that’s really where you have to kind of watch it,” Gordon said.
This week Gordon is overseeing a college summer league baseball tournament at Grand Park, and they are watching the heat closely.
“Thankfully coaches are way better educated now than they use to be,” Gordon said. “There used to be the hardcore ‘you’re weak if you drink water’ thing. Thankfully that’s pretty much done and over with now, so thankfully that’s been a good progress and development in our sports medicine over the years.”
Dr. Kara Kowalczyk is a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Riley Hospital for Children. She says the heat is a real issue.
“It’s pretty common I’d say on really hot days we might see several patients in a shift with heat related injuries,” Kowalczyk said.
She says this time of year kids need to listen to their bodies during sports, and parents and coaches have to listen to kids.
“I know some sports can be pretty intense, we like to push kids to their limits,” Kowalczyk said. “It’s really important this time of year that kids feel like they can speak up, and if they’re feeling thirsty then it’s OK to get a drink.”
There are signs to look for as well to know if your child might be in danger.
“When your skin is red, you’re sweating a lot, that’s kind of the beginning stages of you’re in danger of overheating,” Gordon said. “The danger zone is when you stop sweating so when you get to that point that’s kind of an emergency situation.”