Monitoring of Core Body Temperature During Exertional Heat Illnesses Emergencies
Journal Title: Sports and Exercise Medicine – Open Journal - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
This editorial is to promote the use of rectal thermometer devices during an exertional heat illnesses (EHI) emergency. With today’s technology, there are hand-held electronic monitors in the market, that allow the athletic trainer on the field, to insert the probe end, and continually monitor the core body temperature while cooling efforts are attempted, and emergency medical services (EMS) is activated. Standard glass thermometers are useful, but a digital readout would be constant. Time is an issue, seconds count. The athletic trainer is taught to recognize the signs and symptoms of EHI, which may include syncope, profuse sweating, irritability, confusion, dizziness, loss of balance.1-7 Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms may also present themselves with head trauma/concussion.1-5 The ONLY confirmation of an EHI is the elevated core body temperature of >40 °C (>104 °F).1 Oral, tympanic, axillary or temporal methods of taking the temperature using external thermometers are not as reliable as the rectal thermometer in assessing elevated core body temperature.3 During a suspected EHI, the athletic trainer should remove the athlete from direct sunlight and seek a cooler, shaded area or go indoors to an air-conditioned room.1-5 The athlete’s core body temperature needs to be assessed, and this would include removal of clothing and equipment to not only cool the body, but to gain access to the rectal area.4-7
Authors and Affiliations
Benito J. Velasquez
Keywords
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- EP ID EP542473
- DOI 10.17140/SEMOJ-3-e003
- Views 89
- Downloads 0
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