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The heat is on

Local athletes feel strain of high temperatures

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Sweltering temperatures sidelined at least one football player at Starr’s Mill High School and two football players at Fayette County High School last week.

Unusually high body temperature during practice with their respective teams caused Starr’s Mill running back Brandon Lewis and Fayette County linebackers Matt Burns and Josh Sumpter to come down with a case of heat cramps.

Starr’s Mill head coach Mike Earwood was unavailable for comment. However, Fayette County head coach Thomas Webb indicated Burns and Sumpter were given IVs to cool down when traditional remedies such as ice didn’t work. “They got dehydrated after working out,” Webb said.

He indicated Tuesday’s incident was a first for the team. He has never had to use IVs in the past. Webb said the players are doing fine now.

The injuries were attributed to the unseasonably hot weather that has hovered over the county for about two weeks. Residents in Fayette County and surrounding Atlanta metro counties have been exposed to several reports of people affected by heat-related injuries.

In neighboring Spalding County, two Griffin High School football players were treated for heat-related injuries. One was treated and released. The other, however, reportedly slipped into a coma and is listed in serious condition as a result of his injuries, according to published reports.

Matt Sena, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, couldn’t categorize the weather pattern as a heat wave. But he confirmed the hot temperatures were unusual for the area.

“It was definitely a long stretch of unusually high temperatures and we had a week where things got noticeably warmer there,” Sena said Friday afternoon. “It was above normal there pretty much the end of last week and all of this week except today.”

Tropical Storm Cindy and Hurricane Dennis struck the county recently, bringing massive flooding. More storms and hurricanes were headed this way but changed course. Sena indicated the hot temperatures put a sort of protective shield over the area.

“The temperatures helped to block any other tropical storms from coming into this area,” Sena said. “It kept Tropical Storm Franklin and Gert out the area. We needed a chance to dry off.”

The hot spell has passed and normal summer weather patterns are on the horizon for Fayette County.

But traditional summer temperatures can still be unbearable to many. Knowing the signs of what to look for could protect residents from coming down with a heat-related injury.

In Coach Webb’s line of work, he has no choice but to keep his eyes on the players to tell when someone is overheating. Webb said heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are three heat-related injuries residents should look for.

Heat cramps are characterized by muscle cramps or hard knots in muscles, muscle pains or darker urine, health experts said.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion are sweating, dizziness, headaches and fatigue, Webb explained. One symptom of a heat stroke, the most severe heat-related injury, is a lack of sweating. “The body temperature goes way up because they can’t sweat or cool down,” Webb said.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources recommends the following to minimize the adverse health effects often caused by heat and humidity:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and ice water and other clear liquids. Sports drinks are especially good because they not only replace fluids, but also replace necessary nutrients lost through sweating.

• Avoid excessive activity, especially between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is highest overhead and the air temperature highest. Excessive outdoor activity can be especially hazardous.

• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that allows air to circulate around the body. When outdoors, be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen to minimize the risk of sunburn. Take extra care with infants and children whose tender skin can burn much faster than adults. Never leave an infant, child or pet in a car when the weather is hot, even with the windows down.

• Keep indoor air circulating with fans if you do not have air conditioning. Windows should be opened slightly to allow better air movement, while keeping shades and blinds closed will help keep indoor air temperatures lower. Use air conditioning if you have it.