Medical / Umpire Question

[therefump]

Hey folks,

I'm not sure this is a dehydration question any more.

First scenario: last year had a DH. Started at 10. Second game was at 3pm.

The temperature that week had been in the 50-65 range. Then for Saturday gametime bright sunshine with the temp 85 and topped off at 98 by 4pm. First 90ish degree day in these parts for the year. I was BU first and then had PU second. I ended up leaving in the 4th inning of the 2nd game when I started getting tunnel vision. BU comes over before I can tell him I can't do any more. He takes over. A nurse in the stands knew I was in trouble and came down as I left the field. After puking up all 3 gallons of water I drank she tells me I've got classic heat stroke. My core temp was 103.5. I was sick for 3 days.

Second scenario

Had a DH this weekend. Bright sunny, game time temp 80ish. Same situation that this is the highest temp in these parts for the year. I was PU for first game. 9 inning game. I was dowsing myself with water. By 7th I started getting woosy but managed to finish the game. I was BU for 2nd but just felt like crap. Took all day today to feel better. This wasn't heat stroke.

Question: has anyone heard of your body not tolerating heat after getting heatstroke? I never suffered heat growing up. Sorry for the long explain.:nod:

[treedog24]

Heatstroke can happen to anyone at anytime, I'm not a Dr. or EMT but do understand the effects of it and have read some on it. My Brother die of Heat Stroke when he was 19 in 1983. He was an EMT and Vol. Fire in Milford, PA and in GREAT physical condition (6'5" 260 -JoPa dream LB in '80s).

What I would suggest is a) get yourself check out by your Dr. to see if there isn't something else. b)I don't know your physical condition but if you're carry a spare tire and the jack that goes with it, it might be time to diet c) before any game you have to hydrate a lot; if your like me sitting in an office all day you more than likely grab a cup of coffee/soda first thing in the morning, then one around 10,.... Instead start drinking water and lots of it on days you have games or the night before if you have an early one. Then make sure you are drinking through out the day (DO NOT wait until your thristy to drink-by then you waited to long). Key thing is avoid beverages that tend to dehyrate (coffee, soda, beer, etc.) If this is done properly you should have use the bathroom before the game and then should have to use it after the game is completed. I'm not saying you should have to hold it for 4 innings but once the game is done you should be able to get something to drink and then have to use the restroom. Make sure you are drinking during the game also almost every inning to every half-inning.

Another suggestion is to purchase those cooling vests to keep your coretemp down. I know that they are not cheap but they are cheaper than a night stay at the local hospital.

[Stan W.]

We had an umpire in our chapter who went down from heatstroke a few years ago, and he is now very sensitive to heat conditions. We cannot assign him to do any double headers. He thinks he is fine, but in both the past 2 summers he has had to walk off the field and lay under a tree in the shade when he feels weak.

Some websites, like familydoctor.com say that having heat exhaustion or heatstroke makes you more sensitive to hot conditions for about a week afterwards. From what I have seen the sensitivity lasts much longer.

They say that you should be especially careful not to exercise too hard, and avoid hot weather. This is darn hard for an Umpire to do, as our games are usually in the heat of the summer and requires moderate to strenuous activity. I would encourage you to consult your physician. They also say that some medicines can put you at greater risk of heatstroke,

The following are some medicines listed at familydoctor .com that they say can put you in danger of heatstroke:

• Allergy medicines (antihistamines)

• Cough and cold medicines (anticholinergics)

• Some blood pressure and heart medicines

• Diet pills (amphetamines)

• Irritable bladder and irritable bowel medicines (anticholinergics)

• Laxatives

• Some mental health medicines

• Seizure medicines (anticonvulsants)

• Thyroid pills

• Water pills

Hope all goes well for you....

Edited June 9, 2009 by Stan W.
clarity

[therefump]

Good advice from all thus far. I'm not particularly overweight (+15) and for 51 I feel I'm in shape by working out with weights (strength not bulk).

The situation just happened again on Sunday and it kind of scared me. Like I said I was down 3 days after the first incident. Remember, it was only 86 during the second game with low humidity. However, first time out in an 80 plus degree game this year.

[mstaylor]

Sounds like early in the season you may want to work out in a gym to get your body used to work in the heat. It doesn't have to be a a major workout, just some stationary bike or treadmill. As suggested you need to have a Dr check you out, it may be tied to blood pressure and that's not good. I know since my original heart attack I am affected by temp changes faster than I used to be. My blood pressure is fine but I reach for sweat pants faster in cool weather than I used to be and I look for shade whenever possible. I am the same age as you so don't mess with it.

[MCLEOD36]

Keep a cooler handy, stock with apples and bananas, both are great in addition to gatorade or the like. You can also buy, a neck scarf, that you soak and put in your freezer. It cools you down very quickly. As things heat up, hydrate......and when in doubt, hit a dugout, sit and relax for a min.

[catoblue]

Here are a couple things to try - for keeping your body temperature down:

Get your neck, head, and wrists wet as often as you can. These are three parts of your body where blood vessels are close to the skin and when evaporation happens, will provide maximum cooling. If you wear the traditional wool cap, get it wet, if your association permits the mesh hats, change to the mesh.

The water with spirit of ammonia mix on wrists and neck can help even more, since it evaporates quicker and in higher humidity than plain old water. Evaporation cools.

Normally, I save the sports drinks with electrolytes for after the game when I'm looking to re-hydrate, but you might want to consider having one of these handy (to supplement your water intake) during the game, as maybe you're prone to losing electrolytes a little faster than someone else. Just another thought.

You may want to consider having your assignor not schedule you for any DH. yes, this may hurt the wallet, but not as much as a hospital bill.

While your situation 2 wasn't heat stroke, odds are it was "heat exhaustion", which is generally what happens on your way to a heat stroke.

Edited June 9, 2009 by catoblue

[mstaylor]

If you use the ammonia water or witch hazel, you may want to use a small rag under your hat so it helps keep you cool during the inning.

[jjb]

I've gone down with heat exhaustion a couple of times since I moved to Texas. On each occasion, I've had to go into Vampire Mode for a few days, as heat and sunshine really bother me.

Heat Exhaustion is bad: the victim is cool, pale and sweaty. Shade and water is recommended. Heat Stroke is a Medical Emergency. The victim is hot, red and dry. Get them cooled down as fast as you can, and call 911.

[willv28]

Yes, the water and spirits of ammonia/witch hazel is a good one. Witch hazel is easier to find too. Just take a little cooler, fill it half with ice and add a few oz of the spirits or witch hazel. Then add water, mix and add some rags. Obviously find shade as often as you can between innings. You want to drink even when you're not thirsty. But don't drink more than your body needs or is losing. It sounds like you filled yourself up with water as the only method of staying cool. Otherwise your body would have absorbed it with no trouble. Since we're more just hot than anything else. I don't drink regular sports drinks. I have both water and the lower calorie G2 gatorade that has less sugar and contains the electrolytes I need. But it's more suited for our needs, it seems to help, but I haven't had a higher than 80 degree day so far.

[therefump]

I've gone down with heat exhaustion a couple of times since I moved to Texas. On each occasion, I've had to go into Vampire Mode for a few days, as heat and sunshine really bother me.

Heat Exhaustion is bad: the victim is cool, pale and sweaty. Shade and water is recommended. Heat Stroke is a Medical Emergency. The victim is hot, red and dry. Get them cooled down as fast as you can, and call 911.

You know, that's funny (not funny ha ha). I had a nurse take my temp, a coach (went to Tulane U) who had to attend the NCAA's class on recognizing and dealing with heat exhaustion. NOBODY recommended I go to the hospital. I didn't think of it but with a 103 temp, dehydrated, not sweating........NOBODY recommended it.

[therefump]

Everyone,

Just like I thought you all came through with some great advice. I am more convinced than ever that I'm now "prone" to not dealing with heat. I just wasn't sure but the anecdotal evidence is there from your comments. I guess working in the computer business for so long (A/C) did this to me.

Great comments, keep 'em coming.

[PeteBooth]

Hey folks,

I'm not sure this is a dehydration question any more.

First things first

1. get a COMPLETE physcial and tell the Doc what's been happening

2. In the meantime until you KNOW what's going on simply do single games. and DO NOT do the dish. I know this could be a pain for the assignor but if you tell him what's going on he should understand.

Others have given you great advice about what you can do BUT until you KNOW for SURE what the deal is my advice would be as mentioned above do single games and bases only.

Once you have whatever test results the Doc recommends and sit down with him and discuss then you will have a clearer picture of what's been happening with you.

if it turns out that you are very sensitive to heat then you have to make some decisions about umpiring like getting assigned the very early games BEFORE the heat index rises. No more Double Dips unless it's fall ball or early Spring. Also, if the temp gets above a certain degree level - NO PLATES.

You might want to try football officiating which is more in line with the cold weather.

HEALTH comes first

Pete Booth

[jjb]

You know, that's funny (not funny ha ha). I had a nurse take my temp, a coach (went to Tulane U) who had to attend the NCAA's class on recognizing and dealing with heat exhaustion. NOBODY recommended I go to the hospital. I didn't think of it but with a 103 temp, dehydrated, not sweating........NOBODY recommended it.

I'm glad you're OK. You were running with a busted (body) radiator out there. I'm not a doctor, but I'd take some time off, and then only do some early AM games for a while.

[therefump]

I'm glad you're OK. You were running with a busted (body) radiator out there. I'm not a doctor, but I'd take some time off, and then only do some early AM games for a while.

The heat stroke occured last year and only once. The occurance this year has happened only once. The pattern I see is that the change of temperature upwards and not being acclimated. Still I feel sensitized to the heat moreso this year.:BD:

[willv28]

The heat stroke occured last year and only once. The occurance this year has happened only once. The pattern I see is that the change of temperature upwards and not being acclimated. Still I feel sensitized to the heat moreso this year.

Yeah, you need to start working yourself into it too. Go for long walks, wear sweats or heavy clothing and stop when you work up a good sweat but before you start to feel it it doesn't take much. Do this when the temperature is going to make the turn but not after. Essentially you're shocking yourself going from A/C to hot weather.