Educator

Describe types and signs of illnesses related to sports participation.

Heart disease is when the arteries and vessels that provide oxygen and blood to the heart are clogged-up with fat on the inner linings. When the blood flow to the heart is completely cut off, there is a heart attack because the heart is receiving no oxygen.

Getting heart disease.

People whose parents have heart disease are more likely to inherit it because it is a Heredity disease.

Men are more likely to have heart attacks

Smoking increases the chances of developing heart disease and the chance of dying from it.

Eating too much fatty foods and not doing enough exercise increases the chances of heart disease.

 

Heart disease can affect an athlete’s participation in sport because they won’t be able to do as much sport and they must consult their Doctor before taking part in any physical activity.

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort. 
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Nausea
• Light-headedness.
• Irregular heart rate.

E.g. an athlete in a race with heart disease will find it hard to run long distances because they will run out of oxygen and cannot replace it fast enough because there’s no blood flow.

They must go through a cardiac rehabilitation programme to prevent further damage to their heart which they won’t be able to do some sports or as much as they want.

Epilepsy.

 

Epilepsy is a brain disorder which at times may cause people to have seizures.

A seizure is a temporary unusual brain activity, convulsions and spasms, (when someone shakes uncontrollably). Sometimes, seizures occur in people who do not have epilepsy.

The signs and symptoms of a seizure change from:

·       Little or no movements

·       Sudden loss of conscious control over actions

·       Recurs many times

·       Occurs most often during childhood

To:

·       Whole body, violent muscle movements

·       Rigid and stiff

·       Affects a major part of the body

·       Loss of consciousness

·       Can’t control urine

·       Biting tongue or cheek

·       Confusion after the seizure

·       Weakness after the seizure

 

Epilepsy would affect an athlete’s participation in sport because it would make it very dangerous for them. If they had a seizure during a sport, they would find it hard to keep themselves protected or to control their actions.

E.g. A motor sport driver who had an epileptic fit would abdicate control of the vehicle.

 Someone with epilepsy must speak to their doctor first before doing any physical exercise; inform their coaches, instructors or anyone who is supervising them. It means will not be able to do certain sports, like swimming, in case they have an epileptic fit.

 

Asthma.

Asthma is an illness that affects your breathing; your airways become inflamed and irritated in reaction to something in the environment like dust or pollen.

Signs for Asthma:

• Dark circles under eyes

 

Some of the many symptoms for Asthma are:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Breathing changes
• Shortness of breath

• Tightness in the chest
• Trouble sleeping
• Sneezing
• Moodiness
• Headache
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Chin or throat itches
• Feeling tired

 

Asthma affects an athlete’s participation because it also means that the athlete could have an asthma attack at any time caused by a change in the temperature, pollen, dust and many other things which are around abundant supplies meaning that there are more chances of them having an asthma attack which will close the wall of their lungs, they cannot get any oxygen and therefore may die. Asthma means that the athlete cannot do any sports that may cause them to panic or be really careful. It also means that the athlete will have to carry an inhaler around with them.

The intensity of sport activities an athlete with asthma can do varies. The more sports an asthmatic does, the stronger their lungs will be because they will be able to handle more intense sporting activities.

An asthmatic footballer who is accidentally elbowed in the chest might find it difficult to breathe as a result of the condition of their lungs. This might also bring on an asthma attack.

 

Diabetes

 

Diabetes is a condition in which a person’s body cannot produce enough insulin.

 

Signs and symptoms for diabetes are:

• Nervousness,
• Sweating,
• Hunger,
• Trembling,
• Weakness,
• Palpitations, and
•  Having trouble speaking.

 

Diabetes affects an athlete because they have to tell their coach or trainer that they are diabetic must have snack at regular intervals. Always have a high sugar food with them at all times. The brain uses the glucose from sugar to work and without the sugar, the brain would not work, meaning that diabetics have no control over their body and cannot think when they do not have enough sugar.

A diabetic with no control over their brain will be unable to think about what they are doing.

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Health safety and injury in sport