The record number of match retirements at the 2015 US Open – many being heat-related, highlighted by Jack Sock’s dramatic retirement in the second round – has prompted many questions with regard to how to best prepare and treat heat-related ailments. The following is a question and answer session with James N. Gladstone, MD, Co-Chief of the Sports Medicine Service at The Mount Sinai Hospital, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine, with regard to heat-related illnesss. Dr. Gladstone is also the medical advisor to the U.S. Davis Cup tennis team and a consultant to the US Open.
(1) What variables contribute to heat exhaustion – what’s the threshold for fainting? Heat stroke?
Obviously temperature, humidity, hydration level, amount you’re sweating, rate at which you’re rehydrating. There is no threshold and can vary from person to person and for the same person on different days. Fainting occurs, although rarely, because your blood vessels are so dilated to let heat escape (bring your body temperature down), that not enough gets to your head and you faint
(2) Symptoms you should never ignore?
Light-headness, dizziness, nausea, heart racing so fast and not calming down as your activity decreases
(3) Can drinking fluids ward off heat exhaustion? What else helps keep the core body temperature low?
Staying hydrated can help, but occasionally you can’t keep up with the fluid losses and body heat increases. Changes of shirts, toweling off, cold towels or ice bags on the head, neck and torso
(4) What aids recovery – and how quickly can the body recover?
Body recovers quickly. Resting, laying down in a cooler environment, ice baths if necessary, re-hydrating with both water and electrolytes
(5) Do hats/sunscreen/clothing make a difference?
Sunscreen for solar protection not heat protection Hats can keep your head cooler but minimally, shades your eyes Clothing that lets heat escape, light weight, and frequent changes so sweat doesn’t cake on the body
