![]() ![]() ![]() The risks of morbidity and mortality increase the longer an individual's body temperature remains elevated above the critical threshold (>40.5☌ ) and are significantly reduced if body temperature is lowered promptly. 19 A medical emergency, EHS can progress to a systemic inflammatory response and multi-organ system failure unless promptly and correctly recognized and treated. The first sign of EHS is often CNS dysfunction (eg, collapse, aggressiveness, irritability, confusion, seizures, altered consciousness). Although this illness is most likely to occur in hot and humid weather, it can manifest with intense physical activity in the absence of extreme environmental conditions. 16, 19 This condition is a product of both metabolic heat production and environmental heat load and occurs when the thermoregulatory system becomes overwhelmed due to excessive heat production (ie, metabolic heat production from the working muscles) or inhibited heat loss (ie, decreased sweating response, decreased ability to evaporate sweat) or both. It is characterized by neuropsychiatric impairment and a high core body temperature, typically >40.5☌ (105☏). 5 – 10Įxertional heat stroke is the most severe heat illness. 10 The cause of EAMCs is not fully confirmed proposed contributing factors and conditions include dehydration, 5 electrolyte imbalances, 5, 11 altered neuromuscular control, 4 fatigue, or any combination of these factors. The signs and symptoms of incipient EAMCs can be described as tics, twinges, stiffness, tremors, or contractures, but these terms refer to conditions that are typically painless and do not demonstrate muscle activity on electromyography, unlike full-blown EAMCs. 4, 5 Heat cramps is a popular but technically inappropriate term for a certain category of EAMCs because they are not directly related to an elevated body temperature, 5, 6 do not readily occur after passive heating at rest, and can present during exercise in warm or even cool 6 – 8 and temperature-controlled conditions, 9 although extensive sweating is typical. 2, 3 Additionally, our knowledge base and proven management protocols allow us to establish effective prevention and management strategies to minimize the risk of and improve the outcome from EHS, thereby affecting public health via policy creation and modification.Įxercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are sudden or sometimes progressively and noticeably evolving, involuntary, painful contractions of skeletal muscle during or after exercise. We now possess the knowledge to nearly assure survival from this potentially fatal injury if EHS is quickly and appropriately recognized and treated at the time of collapse. The care of exertional heat-stroke (EHS) patients has come a long way in the past millennia. This document serves as the current position statement for the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and replaces the document that was published in 2002. Our current knowledge base has allowed us to greatly enhance the level of care that can be provided for athletes with these medical conditions. The risk of EHI is ever present during exercise in the heat but can also occur in “normal” environmental conditions. The prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) are core components of sports medicine services at all levels of sport. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |