Heat and Hydration Related Risk Factors – Sports Physicals (APRN)

00:01 Now heat and hydration related risk factors.

00:05 I live in a very warm part of the United States.

00:08 In fact, it is well over 100 degrees for multiple days in a row here.

00:13 So, this is really a problem where I live.

00:18 One of the worst codes I've ever seen was an eighth grader who was doing two a day football practice and ended up having heatstroke and going down on the field.

00:26 So sadly, that student did not survive that event.

00:31 And that was a spurt on my memory.

00:34 I will never ever forget it.

00:36 So, what's our responsibility there as nurse practitioners? Well, heat and hydration is always a risk factor for students.

00:44 So, you want to look for students who may be at increased risk of heat problems and heat stroke.

00:52 So, if this is an athlete who has excessively caffeinated drink use, they're at an increased risk because of the dehydration.

00:59 If they're taking performance enhancement medications, they're at an increased risk.

01:04 And also, if they have an increased BMI, that's higher than normal.

01:09 Their body's gonna have a harder time getting rid of core body heat.

01:12 They're less efficient, so they're more likely to overheat.

01:16 So you want to take a look at the student and see do they have any of those risk factors? Ask them history questions, like, "Have you had any problems with heat previously? Have you ever had a heat stroke?" And encourage them to maintain adequate hydration.

01:31 If they're gonna drink energy drinks, try to get them to limit that.

01:36 Try to make sure that they're taking in an average acceptable amount of water on a consistent basis, not just the days that they have practice.

01:46 So, this is where you have to employ some motivational interviewing techniques, right.

01:51 You want to make sure that you help them understand why it helps them not come off as like a parent figure telling them what they can or can't do.

02:01 So just encourage them that this is going to help them play better.

02:04 It's gonna help them perform better.

02:06 And they're going to feel a lot better.

02:08 But remember, they particularly need to increase their water intake before the game, right.

02:13 Before the game, they need to drink.

02:15 During the game and after the game, they need to replenish.

02:18 So, be a good idea for them to drink, usually about 20 ounces an hour before the game, and then drink throughout the game.

02:25 But you're gonna be able to assess that: By the environment that the player is playing in, And what their risk factors are for heat? And what the temperature is typically where they play? But our state has become very aware of this problem, because we've lost athletes, young students to heatstroke.

02:46 So you want to make sure that that's always something you're keeping an eye on educating coaches, parents, and athletes about the importance of watching that so closely.