Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Heat Stroke Can Strike Football Players
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SATURDAY, Aug. 21 (HealthDayNews) -- Football's not a sport most people associate with heat illnesses, but players do face an increased risk of heat exhaustion and its more serious cousin, heatstroke. A large part of that risk stems from all the protective equipment football players must wear, says Dr. Charles Ruotolo, director of sports medicine for Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y. Plus, many teams start practicing as early as August and in some parts of the country temperatures soar above 90 degrees well into autumn. "The hotter it is, the more you have to worry about," Ruotolo says. "On hot days, above 90 to 95, coaches should change practices to cooler points of the day and encourage plenty of fluids." Ruotolo advises providing a sports drink that has electrolytes, but says most sports drinks should be diluted with water because their sugar content is too high. Coaches should also weigh their players before and after practice, Ruotolo suggests. "If you've lost more than two pounds of weight in a day, you need to replace that by drinking extra fluids." A player that still weighs over two pounds less the next day is at an even higher risk of heatstroke and shouldn't be allowed to play. Signs of heat exhaustion are dizziness, fatigue, and headache. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heatstroke, which is characterized by confusion, seizures and even coma. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you suspect it, and try to keep the person cool while you wait for help. More information For more tips on preventing heatstroke in football players, visit the National Football League's High School Football Web site.
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