Sun and Heat Stress

Don't let the sun get the best of you or your kids this summer. Know what to expect in advance, and you won't be sitting by the bed, while one of your children is suffering from too much sun. And dont' forget, you're just as likely to get too much sun as anyone else. Most importantly, you should be able to take care of yourself, so here are some great tips to make that next trip to the pharmacy or market a shopping list away.

HEAT STRESS

• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
• Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.