tween daughter who is a v. good athlete struggles in heat. advice?

[Anonymous]

It is most likely dehydration. Try using salt tablets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we're getting a little off track here. A lot of people just aren't good in the heat and have no thyroid problems and aren't working out on turf. Just do the things that keep yourself cool and shaded.

Yep. Normal. Keep her hydrated. What's the big deal if she plays worse on hot days? So do lots of other kids.

[Anonymous]

I overheat. Like, turn bright red, puke, and pass out. Then I sleep for about two hours while my body re-sets and cools down. Because nobody ever believes me when I say "I have to get out of the sun; I'm too hot; I'm going to pass out." So sure, stay hydrated but honestly, find an indoor sport.

[Anonymous]

There was some study or something that said once girls got to be around 10 or so, their performance dropped off dramatically in outdoor sports, esp track and field events. Showed HS girls with heat exhaustion etc

The reason? They were dehydrated, bc of lack of bathroom facilities. Once they started dreading the portapotty, they either consciously or unconsciously didn't drink as much so they wouldn't have to use it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exercise induced asthma I have it and humidity is the worst! I was a college soccer player

Exacerbated by artificial turf. Get her an inhaler.

And a surgical mask while you are at it. Gotta love the high cancer risk of these "awesome" turf fields.

A 2010 report by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery said that toxins, including lead and other heavy metals, are “below the level of detection. … No public health concern was identified.”

Other studies from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the New York Department of Health and UC Berkeley have found toxicity levels on crumb-rubber fields either negligible or so low they don’t present any health concern.

But it is significantly warmer than grass on a day like yesterday. That exacerbates my child's asthma.

I am suspect of that report, since you can sometimes smell the materials.

[Anonymous]

You may want to have your DD checked for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). It is exacerbated by heat and is prevalent in teen/tween girls. The recommendations for hydrating, especially with salt/electrolyte enhanced drinks, would be part of the solution. My DD is currently using Nuun tablets (I check for the flavors that are especially high in sodium). Does your daughter have low blood pressure at all? I would make sure that your DD works out at least 3 times a week indoors in a climate-controlled environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want to have your DD checked for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). It is exacerbated by heat and is prevalent in teen/tween girls. The recommendations for hydrating, especially with salt/electrolyte enhanced drinks, would be part of the solution. My DD is currently using Nuun tablets (I check for the flavors that are especially high in sodium). Does your daughter have low blood pressure at all? I would make sure that your DD works out at least 3 times a week indoors in a climate-controlled environment.

PP here, with the DS with medical issues - which happen to include minor POTS although we hope that's resolved some this winter - summer heat will tell. How are Nuuns working for your DD? What flavors does she like that are high sodium?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we're getting a little off track here. A lot of people just aren't good in the heat and have no thyroid problems and aren't working out on turf. Just do the things that keep yourself cool and shaded.

I don't think it is off track to discuss the issues of turf, considering that here in NOVA most of the soccer games are on artificial turf. Talk to the kids - it is harder to play on turf on a hot day and those with asthma find it exacerbates their condition.

[Anonymous]

She struggles in the heat because it's hot, just like any other person.

Try running when it's 50 out and when it's 90 out. There's a huge difference in how you will feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exercise induced asthma I have it and humidity is the worst! I was a college soccer player

Exacerbated by artificial turf. Get her an inhaler.

And a surgical mask while you are at it. Gotta love the high cancer risk of these "awesome" turf fields.

A 2010 report by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery said that toxins, including lead and other heavy metals, are “below the level of detection. … No public health concern was identified.”

Other studies from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the New York Department of Health and UC Berkeley have found toxicity levels on crumb-rubber fields either negligible or so low they don’t present any health concern.

But it is significantly warmer than grass on a day like yesterday. That exacerbates my child's asthma.

I am suspect of that report, since you can sometimes smell the materials.

Agree

They increase in blood cancers, especially in soccer goalies, leads me to believe the vague reports are not always correct. The chemicals smell, they tear up, and it makes the temperature 5-12 degrees hotter than grass. Not fun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was some study or something that said once girls got to be around 10 or so, their performance dropped off dramatically in outdoor sports, esp track and field events. Showed HS girls with heat exhaustion etc

The reason? They were dehydrated, bc of lack of bathroom facilities. Once they started dreading the portapotty, they either consciously or unconsciously didn't drink as much so they wouldn't have to use it

That's interesting. I would have thought it was something to do with puberty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is most likely dehydration. Try using salt tablets.

This hasn't been done for 30 years. Make sure she hydrates enough ( with plain water) so that she is going to the bathroom at least 5x per day. It is also worth having a blood test. Iron deficiency is commonly missed and definitely causes fatigue.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go crazy looking for trouble. I don't like the heat. Can't take it. Just not my thing. On the flip side, I love, love the cold! The colder the better. Frankly I'm uncomfortable if I'm not a little chilly. I'll be out with the dogs on the worst day. People are wired differently.

[Anonymous]

Is she really eating enough? If she's an active athlete she should be eating a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may want to have your DD checked for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). It is exacerbated by heat and is prevalent in teen/tween girls. The recommendations for hydrating, especially with salt/electrolyte enhanced drinks, would be part of the solution. My DD is currently using Nuun tablets (I check for the flavors that are especially high in sodium). Does your daughter have low blood pressure at all? I would make sure that your DD works out at least 3 times a week indoors in a climate-controlled environment.

PP here, with the DS with medical issues - which happen to include minor POTS although we hope that's resolved some this winter - summer heat will tell. How are Nuuns working for your DD? What flavors does she like that are high sodium?

My DD with POTS uses the following Nuun tablets (added to water) from Whole Foods: Strawberry Lemonade (Nuun Hydration), Tri-Berry (Nuun Active), and Lemon-Lime (Nuun Active). Each Nuun tablet contains 360mg of sodium. Some of the Nuun tablets just contain vitamins, so I checked the labels.

DD also takes 8 Himalayan salt tablets a day, as recommended by her doctor for POTS. She also engages in regular exercise in a climate-controlled environment.