How to Use Gatorade to Treat Heat Exhaustion

Originally invented as a quick fluid-replenishing drink for the Florida Gators football team (thus the name), Gatorade has gained popularity as a mainstream sports drink. It's formulated specifically to replace the electrolytes and carbohydrates that are lost during vigorous exercise or with excessive sweating. Because of this, Gatorade is not only a favorite beverage among athletes, but is also used as a way to treat heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion.

Instructions

Identify Heat Illnesses

1. Differentiate between the various types of non-emergent heat illnesses. Heat cramps often cause painful muscle cramps in the legs and flushed, moist and feverish skin. Heat exhaustion has similar symptoms, though skin will be pale instead of flushed, as well as the added symptoms of nausea, headache, dizziness and profound weakness.

2. Get to an emergency room immediately if any of these symptoms are accompanied by other, more significant issues, including confusion, the absence of sweating, rapid heartbeat, lethargy and a high fever. This could be a sign of a very serious heat illness known as heat stroke, which requires immediate medical care.

3. Take a case of heat exhaustion seriously and treat it immediately. Remove the affected person from the sun and remove any excess clothing before offering a sports drink such as Gatorade.

Use Gatorade to Replenish Fluids

1. Choose which Gatorade product best fits the situation. Gatorade has three products on the market: the Performance Series, Thirst Quencher and Propel Fitness Water. The Performance Series is designed specifically for the rehydration and energy needs of high-performance athletes, Thirst Quencher is designed to replace the fluids and electrolytes of the average person/athlete and Propel Fitness Water is primarily for rehydration with a little flavor.

2. Offer cool, not cold, Gatorade to treat a person suffering from heat exhaustion. The goal is to lower the person's body temperature back to normal using cool compresses and internal consumption of fluids. Cold liquids can increase muscle cramps and nausea and possibly even trigger vomiting.

3. Replenish electrolytes (sodium and potassium salts) quickly by encouraging small sips of the Gatorade drink. Gatorade has a very sweet flavor that can be off-putting to some people. If this is the case, use Propel Fitness water. While it doesn't contain the same high levels of minerals, it does have more vitamin content than regular water.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have Gatorade on hand, you can use a homemade version of it. Make it by combining 1 cup of water with 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. lemon juice and a little sweetener.