Heat-related illnesses in teenagers occur due to prolonged exposure to heat and humidity without any relief and due to inadequate fluid intake. While kids and teens adjust to variations in heat better than adults, they produce more heat and sweat less. They often ignore the importance of staying hydrated during physical activities, which can lead to heat-related illnesses. Certain factors such as chronic health problems, medication use, and overweight or heavy clothing can increase susceptibility to these illnesses.
There are three types of heat-related illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat cramps are the mildest and occur as painful muscle cramps and spasms during or after intense exercise in high heat. Symptoms include leg cramps, flushed and moist skin, and mild fever. Treatment involves moving to a cool place, removing excessive clothing, wearing cool clothing, drinking cool sports drinks, and stretching out cramped muscles.
Heat exhaustion is more serious and occurs due to excessive loss of salt and water from the body. Symptoms include muscle cramps, pale and moist skin, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and fatigue. Treatment involves staying in a cool place, removing excessive clothing, wearing cool clothing, drinking cold sports drinks, and seeking medical attention if necessary.
Heat stroke is the most severe type of heat-related illness and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include dry and warm skin, high fever, rapid heart rate, nausea, headache, fatigue, confusion, seizures, and coma. Treatment involves staying in a cool place, removing excessive clothing, wearing cool clothing, and seeking emergency medical attention.
Preventive measures include staying hydrated, avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, wearing light clothing, exercising during cooler times of the day, wearing sunglasses and hats, using umbrellas, and applying sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. By taking these precautions, heat-related illnesses in teenagers can be prevented.
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