GUYS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE PLAYING TODAY (Sunday, 7/21), with temperatures in the 90s, we should be aware that HEAT STROKE can happen to any of us and we should
watch ourselves and game mates for signs of it. I found most of which follows in Prevention Magazine's online site.

Please read before you play. -Mike

HEAT STROKE CAN HIT PEOPLE FAST.

About 618 people die from complications related to extreme heat each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The two are similar, but have some key differences. Heat exhaustion comes down to a couple of factors: exposure to uncomfortably high temperatures over several days and a lack of fluids. This can lead to lots of sweating, rapid breathing, and a fast but weak pulse.

If left ignored and your symptoms get worse, heat exhaustion can actually develop into heat stroke, a potentially deadly illness that occurs when your body temperature soars very quickly,
reaching an interior temperature of 104 degrees.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF HEAT STROKE: TRADITIONAL, which usually comes on slowly, affecting individuals who do not have adequate means of cooling themselves. People who
don't have air conditioning, for example.

THE SECOND HEAT STROKE IS CALLED "EXERTIONAL. " THAT'S MORE SUDDEN. It occurs in PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVE IN HIGH TEMPERATURES. Heat-related illness can come on within hours on particularly hot and humid days. It can affect anyone exercising in the heat, but those who are doing strenuous activitysuch as endurance athletes (like runners and soccer players), football players (who sweat it out in stifling equipment), and laborers (like construction workers)face the highest risk.

EXERCISING HEATS UP THE BODY. Typically our sweat cools us down, but with exertional heat stroke, that doesnt happen. When your organs overheat (which can occur during outdoor workouts on sweltering days) your bodys temperature-control center can malfunction.

So as temperatures rise on the outside of your body, your internal temperature rises too and when it reaches 104 or 105 degrees Fahrenheit, thats when things start to get really dangerous. When you get that hot, the cells inside of your intestines get damaged, which can leak toxic substances into your blood and cause multiple organs to fail, including the heart and the brain.

HEAT STROKE SYMPTOMS:

1.HIGH BODY TEMPS: If your body temperature hits 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you could be dealing with heat stroke.

2. MUSCLE CRAMPS: Also known as heat cramps, this is one of the earliest symptoms of heat-related illness during exercise. You may experience painful spasmsparticularly in your legs, arms, or abdomenwhen you sweat it out in high heat. While they likely arent caused by the heat alone, muscle cramps do become more common when your body hasnt acclimated to higher temperatures. Overuse and dehydration are other common causes of cramping, but if you notice this type of pain alongside other heat stroke symptoms, dont ignore it.

3. A LACK OF SWEAT OR AN ABUNDANCE OF IT.

4. CONFUSION OR TROUBLE WALKING.

5.A POUNDING HEADACHE.

6. DIZZINESS, NAUSEA OR VOMITING.

7. SKIN REDNESS.

8. ELEVATED HEART RATE OR TROUBLE BREATHING.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK SOMEONE'S HAVING A HEAT STROKE:

1. Call 911.

2. While waiting for help to arrive, get the person to shady, cool spot.

3. Loosen clothing to let cool air in.

4. Pour cool water on face and skin areas open to the air. Give victim water or sports drink to drink.

TO MINIMIZE CHANCES OF A HEAT STROKE:

1. Drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day.

2. Start slow in your exercises. Go gradually into the games.

3. Try to exercise and rest in shady, breezy spots.

4. Cool down regularly with water to drink and put on heads, faces and neck.