With the high school football season right around the corner and extreme heat continuing, the Mississippi State Department of Health is urging schools, student-athletes, and parents to be mindful of preventable head and heat-related injuries.
Schools are encouraged to require pre-participating physicals to identity underlying health conditions, including heart issues, before students begin participating in sports.
Health officials also recommend the use of Guardian Caps, or other padded helmet covers designed to reduce impact, to help lower the risk of severe head injuries during practices and games. MSDH is encouraging schools to follow concussion protocols and ensure trained staff members are present at all practices and games to monitor athletes for signs of heat-related illness.
Schools should provide access to fluids, cooling stations, and temperature checks will maintaining emergency response plans for heat-related incidents.
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MSDH said signs of potential head injury can include confusion, difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, sensitivity to light or noise, and balance issues.
Any athlete suspected of suffering a head injury should be kept still and moved only if necessary. Officials recommend monitoring the player for worsening symptoms, such as increased drowsiness or severe headaches, and seeking medical attention immediately. If a player loses consciousness, 911 should be called and their airway should be kept clear.
The health department warned coaches, athletes, and parents to watch for signs of heat-related illness, including heavy sweating or no sweating despite hot conditions, weakness, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, muscle cramps, and red, hot, or dry skin.
If an athlete shows signs of heat illness, they should be moved to a cooler location and have excess clothing removed. Officials recommend applying cool, wet cloths or ice packs and providing small sips of water if the player is conscious. Emergency services should be contacted if symptoms worsen or do not improve quickly.
Additional heat and concussion prevention information is available on the Mississippi State Department of Health’s website.
