Heatstroke tragedies spark urgent nationwide warning about safety practices
In 2017, the same tragedy occurred when Zach Martin, 16, died of heatstroke during summer football practice in Florida.
After collapsing, he was taken to the hospital with a body temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit.
His mother, Laurie Martin-Giordano, president of the Zach Martin Foundation, spoke to Fox & Friends on Thursday to discuss ways to prevent this tragic outcome for other athletes.
Martin-Giordano emphasized "advocating for yourself" first and foremost.
"You will need to make sure that you're getting the hydration and the nutrition and plenty of sleep, because those are things that your coach or your teachers are not going to have any awareness of," she said.
Mayo Clinic defines heatstroke as "a condition caused by the body overheating."
It can happen after exposure to high temperatures or prolonged physical activity during periods of excessive heat.
It's important to recognize the warning signs and take precautions, experts say.
"There are a few stages of heat injury, and heatstroke is the most serious," says Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature (104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), change in mental state or behavior, change in sweating pattern and flushed skin, according to the above source.
Other signs may include nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, racing heart rate and headache.
Hydration and rest are the first line of defense, experts advise.
"If you feel faint or weak, STOP all activity and get to a cool place," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on its website.
The first step when someone experiences heatstroke symptoms is not to call an ambulance, but to do anything possible to lower their core body temperature, Martin-Giordano emphasized.
"It needs to be below [104 degrees Fahrenheit]," she said. "104 is significant because that is where the body loses its ability to regulate temperature."
"Immediately start cooling before you start taking them to the hospital … During that time, their core temperature is just going to continue to climb, which does a significant amount of damage to the body."
"In cases like we've seen lately and with my son, they can't recover from that. It's just too much damage internally," she added.
Once the body has begun cooling down, it is important to seek aid, which may include calling 911 for an ambulance.
If you plan to exercise while it's hot outside, Mayo Clinic suggests the following strategies to stay cool and safe.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Autopsy determines cause of death of 31-year-old woman found in parking lot
PORT ST. LUCIE − The death of a 31-year-old woman found in her car in a restaurant parking lot in July was determined to be natural, a Port St. Lucie Police spokesperson said Aug. 8. Kellie Decker, of Port St. Lucie, was found about 11:30 p.m. July 10 in her four-door Honda in the parking lot of a McDonald's restaurant in the 3100 block of Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard. She was in the front passenger seat. Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson, on July 11 said there were no signs of trauma to the body and no signs of foul play. Mesiti said Aug. 8 that an autopsy determined haemophilus parainfluenza sepsis with meningitis and pneumonia was the cause of death, and the manner of death was natural. According to Cleveland Clinic, parainfluenza refers to a group of viruses that can cause common respiratory infections, including illnesses such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, colds, croup and pneumonia. Parainfluenza is a different illness than influenza. Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. The inflammation typically causes symptoms including fever, headache and a stiff neck. Viral infections are the most common meningitis cause in the United States. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames air sacs in the lungs, and the sacs may fill with pus or fluid, causing coughs, difficulty breathing, fever and chills, according to the Mayo Clinic. Investigators about 6 p.m. July 10 went to a home in Port St. Lucie regarding a report that Decker had not returned from work and was missing. Alleged animal abuse arrest: Man jailed in animal cruelty case after dog reportedly was 'only comprehending Spanish' Rebuilding after large fire: Work in progress at burned business to get back on track They learned she was a DoorDash driver and last was seen about 11:30 a.m. leaving to go to work. Mesiti said Decker's DoorDash order was at the McDonald's, and it was canceled. Investigators determined she arrived there shortly after 11:30 a.m. No one was seen approaching or leaving her vehicle other than her, he said. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Cause of death of woman found in restaurant parking lot determined
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Another Cleveland Clinic labor and delivery unit at risk due to $7.7M loss
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Residents here will get the chance next week to help decide how important local labor and delivery services are to them. The Indian River Hospital District is holding town halls Aug. 12, 13 and 14 to hear whether taxpayers want their taxes spent to shore up a loss at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital's obstetrics and gynecology practice. The practice is facing a $7.7 million annual loss. And the Indian River County Hospital District, which provides funding for healthcare programs and services, is weighing whether to help sustain the practice with $3.5 million. The district already provides $4.2 million for prenatal and post-partum care through Indian River Hospital Partners in Women's Health. "I'd like to preserve services in our community, not just for the next few years, but I'd like to preserve services in our community for the foreseeable future," said Frank Isele, executive director of the Indian River County Hospital District. "The whole district wants to do that, so women and children have these services." Problems delivering on delivery Cleveland Clinic is maintaining its labor and delivery unit for now, but the losses beg the question whether it will shut down those services soon — even if it gets the $3.5 million. The nonprofit hospital closed its labor and delivery unit in April in Martin County, forcing women to travel to Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital or another hospital in St. Lucie or Palm Beach counties. Staffing shortages were the problem, Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Rishi Singh said. Singh is the vice president and chief medical officer for Martin North and South hospitals. "We've not requested additional funds for inpatient maternity services but have engaged in a collaborative conversation with a very supportive Indian River Hospital District on how we can partner to create sustainable services for our growing community," said Dr. Richard Rothman, vice president and chief medical officer of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. But "maternity services across the country are closing for several reasons," Rothman added. Staffing shortages are one, he said. Other reasons include fewer births, which make it difficult to cover the fixed costs of a labor and delivery unit; and Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are lower than what private insurance pays for births. Rothman not alone "There's a national issue in regard to maternity services especially within rural hospitals," said Megan McFall, CEO of Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition, which aims to provide care for moms, babies and families from conception through a child's first years. Indian River Hospital is a rural hospital, McFall said. Staffing shortages and reimbursement rates were also cited by McFall as reasons for the nationwide maternity care issues. The number of births at Indian River Hospital has declined from about 1,000 a year in 2021 to 700 or 800 in 2024, McFall said. "Reimbursement rates, along with not having as many deliveries as they're used to, they're looking at a huge loss," McFall said of Cleveland Clinic. Labor and delivery is important Losing Cleveland Clinic's labor and delivery unit at Indian River Hospital would be detrimental to the health of babies and the community at large, McFall said. Babies born to moms who delivered and are receiving care in Indian River County are healthier than babies delivered and cared for outside of the county, according to Indian River County Health Start Coalition. That's backed up by data showing Indian River County has an 80% lower neonatal mortality rate than Florida as a whole, McFall said. Neonatal mortality refers to the death of a baby in its first 28 days. Without a labor and delivery unit, the county will also fail to attract young professionals who will be looking for a place that cares for women and children, McFall said. The community, she said, will be made up of middle-aged and retired professionals. "It's going to be a dying community," McFall said. If the county has no labor and delivery unit, moms who already struggle getting to a hospital will be calling 911 to get there, she added. That's going to strain the county's emergency response resources, she said. Opinion: After Brightline defers bond payment, downgrade, will Stuart still get station? | Opinion More on crime: Embezzlement crimes steal your money and can leave victims feeling angry, humiliated The town hall meetings are scheduled for Aug. 12, 13, and 14. The meeting Aug. 12, is set for 6-7 p.m. at the Intergenerational Recreation Center, 1590 Ninth St. Southwest, Room 112A, Vero Beach. The Aug. 13 town hall is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. at the Sebastian Community Center, 1805 North Central Ave., and the Aug. 14 town hall is set for 6-7 p.m. at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Vero Beach. Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at and at 720-288-6882. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: $7.7M loss at Cleveland Clinic threatens local labor and delivery unit Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Will Cleveland Clinic get a $3.5M subsidy for its Indian River labor and delivery unit?
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Residents, doctors and other health care workers expressed their support for a subsidy for Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital so expectant mothers can continue delivering babies there. And they seem willing to provide $3.5 million of tax money to do it. At least three people among the 100 or so who attended the town hall meeting Aug. 12 at the Intergenerational Recreation Center were bold enough to voice their support for the subsidy, while many others applauded their comments. At least 31 more people tuned in on Zoom. The meeting was hosted by the Indian River County Hospital District, which collects taxes to support health care needs. If the district fails to provide a subsidy, it may put the labor and delivery unit at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital at risk of closing. "The moms have to go somewhere," said Frank Isele, executive director of the district, before the meeting. Only three from the audience questioned a subsidy or criticized Cleveland Clinic. One received applause. Loss of labor and delivery Cleveland Clinic Indian River is the only hospital in Indian River County that delivers babies. And a $7.7 million annual loss in the obstetrics and gynecological unit poses a threat to labor and delivery services there. Cleveland Clinic has not requested a subsidy, Dr. Richard Rothman, vice president and chief medical officer of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital has said. But it has begun talks with the hospital district about sustaining maternity services, he said. Cleveland Clinic earlier this year closed its labor and delivery unit in Martin County, citing a shortage of doctors. Martin County is now on the verge of becoming a maternity-care desert, said Samantha Suffich, CEO of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, which provides education and support to pregnant women and infants. If Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital closes its labor and delivery unit, Isele said, Health First's Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne and HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce may be unable to handle the influx of births. Expansions at those hospitals may be needed, he said. A Caring Center for Women, which provides early prenatal care to women, already has seen 553 pregnant women since January, said director Gerri Rorick. At that pace, that would be an increase in births from recent years. The Vero Beach center typically is the first to see women who are pregnant before sending them to Cleveland Clinic's Partners in Women's Health, which provides prenatal and postpartum care. The district is supporting that unit with $4.2 million annually. National and statewide trend Closure of labor and delivery units is a trend occurring across Florida and nationally, Isele told attendees. "Let's make sure we're getting ahead of it," he said. Trustees of the hospital district Aug. 12 wanted to hear from the community. Specifically, whether it's important for expectant moms to have a labor and delivery unit close to home and whether to spend tax money for it — while a longer-term solution is developed. The $3.5 million cost amounts to about $42 per person per year, Isele said. Transportation issue About 300 pregnant women in Indian River County each year struggle with transportation, said Megan McFall, CEO of Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. If the county is without a labor and delivery unit, these moms may have to rely on 911 to get to a hospital. More on health care: Another Cleveland Clinic labor and delivery unit at risk due to $7.7M loss More on schools: It's a 'typical first day of school' as Treasure Coast students begin new school year "Seconds count for these moms," McFall said. "Seconds count for these babies." Two more community meetings are scheduled for this week: One is 6-7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Sebastian Community Center, 1805 North Central Ave.; and the other is 6-7 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Gifford. Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter mainly covering Martin County. He can be reached at and at 720-288-6882. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Some support for a $3.5M subsidy for labor and delivery unit in IRC Solve the daily Crossword
