TransAction Council Resources

  1. General Financial Assistance
  2. Prescription Help
  3. Health Insurance
  4. Education, Training and Employment
  5. Medicare
  6. Medicaid
  7. Help at Home
  8. Dental
  9. Young People
  10. Waiting, Pre-transplant
  11. General Health
  12. Veteran Administration Benefits
  13. Life Insurance
  14. Advice

I. General Financial Assistance

Transplant Hospital and Community Social Workers
Can help you access resources: financial, insurance; pharmaceutical assistance; fund raising organizations; emergency air transportation; hotel and lodging assistance near the hospital; Medicare; and other assistance programs.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
If you believe your illness will prevent you from working for a year or longer, contact your local Social Security Administration office to apply for disability. Visit www.ssa.gov or call 800-772-1213 for information, to file a claim or to request publications. If you are not collecting Medicare already due to your age or diagnosis of End Stage Renal Disease, you will be eligible for Medicare after collecting 24 social security disability (SSDI) checks. If eligible for SSI, many states include the Medicaid benefit.

Taking Control: Money Matters For People With Chronic Kidney Disease
This book is designed to provide individuals with stage 5 CKD (dialysis and transplant) the information they need to help pay for treatment for kidney failure, understanding what Medicare pays for, emloyer group health plans, prescription drug coverage and other relevant money matters.

Published by National Endowment for Financial Education and the National Kidney Foundation #01-10-0250 (This 72 page book is also available in hard copy by calling (800) 622-9010)

Chapter 1: Understanding Costs (PDF* 2.4MB)

Chapter 2: Keeping Health Insurance Coverage (PDF* 3.5MB)

Chapter 3: What Medicare, Medicgap, Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs Can Pay for (PDF* 5.4MB)

Chapter 4: How Social Security Can Help (PDF* 1MB)

Chapter 5: More Sources of Financial Help (PDF* 4MB)

Chapter 6: Definitely Yes! Going to School, Working and Traveling (PDF* 4MB)

Chapter 7: A Summary of Helpful Programs and Financial Resources (PDF* 3.5MB)

National Kidney Foundation Local Offices
For small grants ($100+) to help with a particular bill contact the local NKF office near you.

American Kidney Fund (AKF)
Kidney patients can apply for small grants ($100+) through nephrology social workers in dialysis and transplant facilities. AKF can be reached at 800-638-8299 or www.kidneyfund.org.

State Kidney Programs/ c/o Missouri Kidney Program
Approximately 25 states have programs that offer assistance for kidney transplant or dialysis patients with outpatient medications and other expenses. To find out if your state has such a program, contact the National Organization for State Kidney Programs at 800-733-7345 or http://www.muhealth.org/~mokp/docs/noskp/index.html.

TRIO National has an agreement with United Airlines to provided free air travel to transplant center around the U.S. for not only living donations but for family members needed to be with their recipients receiving a transplant (living or deceased). Application may be made to the TRIO National web site at www.trioweb.org or by calling 1-800--TRIO-386

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II. Prescription Help

Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Web sites are available to help you determine if an assistance program is available for your medication—www.phrma.org, www.needymeds.com and www.Rxassist.org. Your health care professional (nurse, social worker or physician) is required to submit an application on your behalf. www.benefitscheckup.com may also help.

If a person qualifies all or some of the immunosuppression will be supplied by the manufacturer. Drugs are usually shipped to your home or your doctor’s office. Applications for most are available on www.rxassist.org unless otherwise indicated below. But call first since programs do change and some do a telephone pre-screen. www.savrx.com allows you to price medications if you are paying out of pocket. The Healthwell Foundation www.healthwellfoundation.org 1-800-675-8416, based on their funding and available money, will help people who qualify based on certain diagnoses and other factors pay for premiums and copays.

CellCept®

Roche

866-247-5084

Cyclo®

Teva

877-254-1035

Gengraf®
www.helpingpatients.org

Abbott

800-222-6885

Myfortic®

Novartis

800-277-2254

Neoral®

Novartis

800-942-3424

Prograf®

Astellas

800-477-6472

Sandimmune®

Novartis

800-277-2254

Rapamune®

Wyeth

877-472-7268

Restasis®
www.rxhope.com

Allergen

800-553-6783

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
www.pparx.org
NKF is pleased to announce that it has joined the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a new nationwide campaign that helps people get the prescription medicines they need. Call or visit their web site to learn whether you may be eligible for one or more patient assistance programs. They provide "one stop shopping" for patients that may not be able to afford or are having difficulty paying for their medication.

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/prescription/statebystate.html
A number of states have programs, with specific financial eligibility guidelines, that offer assistance with outpatient medications to persons with disabilities or senior citizens. Contact your local Department of Social Services or Medicaid office to see if any programs are available in your state.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Part D
www.kidneydrugcoverage.org – Find out about Medicare Part D here. Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)

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III. Health Insurance

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)
If you become too ill to work, you may be eligible to continue your group health plan for 29 months if you can prove you were disabled while still working. You will be responsible for the full premium cost. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees or you are not eligible for other reasons, you may be eligible for your state’s program of benefit continuation. If you become divorced or widowed and your coverage was through your former spouse, your benefits can continue for 36 months. www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm.

State Comprehensive Health Insurance Programs (CHIPS) www.naschip.org
Some states have an insurance program for persons with catastrophic illnesses. Premiums may be high and there may be a waiting list. To find out what is available in your state, meet with an independent insurance broker, or in some areas the insurance commissioner in your state’s capitol is helpful.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 www.eeoc.gov
This legislation includes protections for working Americans and their families who have pre-existing medical conditions and are covered under a group plan. Contact the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission at 800-669-3362.

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IV. Education, Training and Employment

Ticket to Work
The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Programs is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The Ticket Program is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 - legislation designed to remove many of the barriers that previously influenced people's decisions about going to work because of the concerns over losing health care coverage. www.yourtickettowork.com

SSA Office of Employment Support Programs
www.ssa.gov/work/

Social Work Article from Transplant Chronicles
Returning to Work After Transplantation By Rebecca Hays, MSW, LCSW (PDF)

Networking on Line
More and more people are networking on line to find jobs allowing friends, colleagues, former colleagues, neighbors and acquaintances to introduce them to potential employers. You might want to try joining an on-line network. You write about yourself and employers search on key words to find help. LinkedIn.com is an example of these networking sites. For people who might have been out of the job market for a while, think of all the skills you have used while undergoing transplantation, such as negotiating (health care and insurance), advocating for yourself and others, being able to put medical and scientific terms into lay language. You also may have the ability to communicate with a wide range of different types of people and organize daily, weekly and monthly schedules (think of medications and doctor’s appointments). You can mention these skills without mentioning that you are a “patient” or transplant recipient. These skills are transferable to the work world.

Scholarship Program
The American Kidney Fund www.kidneyfund.org 800-638-8299 provides approximately ten scholarships a year to kidney patients who want to pursue an education in the health care field. TRIO also has a scholarship program www.trioweb.org

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V. Medicare

www.kidneydrugcoverage.org – Find out about Medicare Part D here. Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)

Medicare Rights Center (MRC) – An independent non-profit advocacy and educational center.

www.medicare.gov - comprehensive Medicare web site

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VI. Medicaid

(MediCal, Access) and other state financial programs
Depending on your income and assets, you may be eligible for medical care and insurance through your state or county department of social service office. Benefits and eligibility criteria vary from state to state. State Social Service Departments can review your eligibility to receive help from programs (QMB and SLMB) to help you afford Medicare premiums and co-payments. www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

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VII. Help at Home

Lotsa Helping Hands
is a simple, immediate way for friends, family, colleagues and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It is an easy-to-use, private group online calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meals delivery, rides, and other necessary tasks. There is no cost to your family to use this system. For more information on how this site works visit or to set up an account visit: www.kidney.lotsahelpinghands.com

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VIII. Dental

Donated Dental Services that has volunteer dentists who provide dental work for people who are elderly or disabled in 30+ states. http://nfdh.org/joomla_nfdh/content/view/16/37/

Dental schools may provide care for less than a private dentist would charge.

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IX. Young People

The Starbright Foundation
The Starbright Foundation (www.starlright.org or 800-315-2580) has "Living with Kidney Disease" as a part of their Explorer Series. The program (on DVD) is for teens and pre-teens, ages 10-15. NKF was involved in the development of the program.

If your child has a Chronic Health Condition that might possibly result in disability as an adult there are things you must do to assure his/her access to care in the future.

One of the most important things you can do for their child is to ensure protection for their child’s future. This may include future access to healthcare as well as to income. Most private insurance plans through a parent(s)’ employment covers children up to age 23 if they are full time college students. However, they usually have a provision regarding children who become disabled before the age of majority that is specified in their Plan. In most cases, if the parent provides medical documentation of a child's disability the child is covered as long as the child remains disabled and their dependant. Check with your plan administrator within their place of employment.

If he/she is judged disabled prior to age 21 it is best that you work with an attorney who specializes in this area in order to protect the child’s future and assure access to Social Security benefits and Medicare/Medicaid now and in the future.

Your child might be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare depending on the severity of disease and your income.

If your child’s kidney disease meets the medical eligibility criteria for Social Security and your family meets certain income criteria you can apply at your local Social Security Office for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). With SSI comes Medicaid which will cover all medically necessary care. If your child's kidneys have completely failed and he/she requires dialysis or a transplant he/she might be eligible for Medicare under your, or his/her other parent's work record. Medicare is not dependant on family income.

Parents of children with kidney failure might be eligible for Medicare if you or the child's other parent has worked and paid into Social Security. Call your Social Security Office at 800-772-1213. Ask if you have enough qualifying quarters to make child is eligible and if you do apply for Medicare.

2008 Kidney Camp Directory
Listing of camps by state that accept patients with kidney disease. Please visit the NKF's Kidney Camp website for more information.

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X. Waiting, Pre-transplantation

If you need a transplant, ask yourself if there might be a living donor available to you? A new program funded by the US government called the National Living Donor Assistance Center allows transplant programs to file an application on behalf of an eligible living donor for travel and lodging reimbursement.   To learn more about financial help for living donors go to: http://www.livingdonorassistance.org   To learn about the health risks for living donors go to http://www.livingdonors.org (NKF’s web site for living donors).

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the agency that holds the government contract to manage the deceased donor waiting list. Transplant centers are members of UNOS. For a list of transplant centers, go to www.unos.org and search under members. For more information about getting on the list and waiting visit UNOS resources at www.transplantliving.org “Before the Transplant” section… or call UNOS directly at 888-894-6361 Also visit www.optn.org/news/newsDetail.asp?id=466 to read about multiple listing (waiting for a transplant at more than one center) Or call UNOS for a free copy.

To Search for a Transplant Center in the USA go to:
http://www.optn.org/members/search.asp

Immune Tolerance: Could a transplant be just another operation?
Programs for Donor Recipient Pairs with Incompatible Blood Types
To help transplant candidates and recipients learn more about specific details related to organ transplantation process, resources can be accessed online or requested in print format at no charge.
http://www.unos.org/qa.asp

Fundrasing Organizations that help candidates and sometimes help living donors:

  1. National Transplant Assistance Fund
    http://www.transplantfund.org/
    Radnor, PA
    800-642-8399
    Helps with fundraising and may help living donors and transplant recipients with bills, mediations.
  2. American Kidney Fund www.kidneyfund.org
    Rockville, MD
    800-638-8299
    Provides limited grants to needy dialysis patients, kidney transplant recipients and living kidney donors to help cover the costs of health-related expenses, transportation and medication. Provides information and support for kidney donation and transplantation, as well as general education and information on kidney disease.
  3. American Organ Transplant Association http://aotaonline.org
    Missouri City, TX
    713-344-2402
    A private, non-profit group that provides free or reduced airfare and bus tickets to transplant recipients and their families with Greyhound and Continental airlines. The association also assists people with setting up trust funds and fund raising. No administrative fee is charged.
  4. Angel Flight www.angelflightne.org
    800-549-9980
    Provides free air transportation for eligible patients on private aircraft for needy people with healthcare problems and for healthcare agencies, organ procurement organizations, blood banks and tissue banks. No fees of any kind. Volunteers serving the public since 1983.
  5. Children's Organ Transplant Association www.cota.org
    Bloomington , IN 800-366-2682
    Helps with fundraising and some expenses including medications. Works with adults as well as children. All funds raised go to the individual-- no administrative fees are collected.
  6. National Foundation for Transplants, Inc. www.transplants.org
    Memphis , TN 38119
    800-489-3863
    Limited emergency grants are available for medications and transplant-related expenses. They will help you organize a fundraising campaign pre-transplant.

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XI. General Health

Visit NKF's A-Z guide. To access NKF booklets, brochures and fact sheets on cancer, bone disease, heart disease, nutrition,west nile virus, waiting for a transplant, Bill of rights, Life after Transplant and more.


XII. Veteran Administration Benefits

Veterans Administration
If you are a veteran, are treated by a V.A. physician, and meet income and other eligibility criteria, you may be eligible for low-cost prescriptions and follow-up care. Call 877-222-8387.

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XIII. Life Insurance

Some Life Insurance companies offer guaranteed issue plans where as long as you are not in hospice or terminal, and if you are willing to pay a higher premium will offer you between $5-$20,000.

In addition, some life insurance companies offer a "graded Death benefit " which requires no medical exam and up to $15,000 of coverage if a person meets certain requirements, such as not having AIDS, cancer, no recent hospitalization, and for the first few years only certain types of deaths are covered (natural and accidental for example) with premiums returned if death occurs a different way.  The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) sometimes offers this to members.

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XIV. Advice

Knowing Your Immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) Medications
By Pradeep Kadambi, M.D.

First of all, hearty congratulations to you on receiving an organ transplant. You and your loved ones, and your health care professionals have invested a lot of time and effort to make this happen. It is our collective responsibility to make sure that the transplant procedure is a success and that you stay healthy for a long time! To achieve this, you have to make a commitment to take care of yourself, by taking the medications as prescribed and adhering to the advice of your transplant professionals. Remember, you were not born with the transplanted organ and hence your body will try to reject it, and the immunosuppressants will help your body to prevent the rejection.

Most of the immunosuppressants are powerful drugs, and hence have side effects. For some of them, levels in the blood are to be monitored frequently. Too little of the drug will put you at risk for rejection, while too much might mean side effects. So, it takes your caregivers some time to achieve the right balance of immunosuppression.

Broadly, the immunosuppressants can be classified into 2 categories:

  1. Induction agents: Powerful antirejection medications used at the time of transplant
  2. Maintenance agents: Antirejection medications used for the long term.

Think of a real estate mortgage; the down payment serves as the induction agent and the monthly payments serve as maintenance agents. If the down payment is good enough you can reduce the monthly payments substantially, and the concept is similar for immunosuppression.

The maintenance agents are generally 4 classes of drugs

Although there are multiple methods of mixing and matching the above drugs, the most common combination employed by the transplant centers is Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil and Prednisone.
The blood levels of Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine and Sirolimus have to be monitored closely. There are many other medications and food and supplements that alter the levels (up or down) in the blood, and you need to be aware of it. The list is long but some of the common ones are grapefruit juice, St. John’s Wort, erythromycin, anti TB medications, antiseizure medications and common blood pressure medications (cardizem or diltiazem, and Verapamil).

Calcineurin Inhibitors and the antiproliferative agents are taken twice daily, and Sirolimus and prednisone are taken once daily. Try to be consistent about the time of the day when you take your medications, that way you will remember to take them. Also, when you have a clinic appointment, do not take your antirejection medications till the blood is drawn for lab work.

The most common side effects of the immunosuppressants are some sort of “stomach upset”. Sometimes spacing the calcineurin inhibitors and the antiproliferative agents by more than an hour might help. Other specific side effects include:

Again it is important for you to ask what types of immunosuppressant combinations are used by your transplant center.

About 6 months to a year after transplant, the immunosuppression is generally lowered and the risk of side effects should be low. If you still continue to experience side effects, you need to speak to your transplant professional to either adjust the dose or switch to a different medication. Always, the immunosuppression should be handled (or changed) in consultation with your transplant center.

There are many newer medications that are being tested in clinical trials, and the one medication that is tested is an intravenous medication, given once a month and it is used instead of the calcineurin inhibitors. The blood levels of the drug do not need to be monitored. So far it has been successful. It may take a few years for other new medications to be used on a regular basis.

Finally, the success of transplantation depends on many factors. You need be adherent to your medications, exercise and adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle. Other important issues include getting appropriate tests for cancer screening (mammograms, colonoscopy, pap smears, etc), always wear sun block, and get vaccinated every year for flu and every other year for pneumonia.

Dr. Kadambi is Assistant Professor of Medicine Director, Nephrology Physician Directed Practice Section of Nephrology, The University of Chicago, and the recipient of the 2007 NKF of Illinois Community Service award.

 

Keeping Track of Kidney Function after a Transplant of any Organ
By Jaime Myers, RN, BSN, CCTC

What are kidneys and what do they do?

There are two kidneys in our bodies.  They are bean shaped organs about the size of the fist.  One lies on each side of the spine just below the rib cage.  They have many functions that include:

What causes kidneys not to work?

There are many things that can cause the kidneys not to work properly.  As we age, kidney function decreases.  There are many diseases that can affect the kidneys.  These can be diseases you are born with (for example, polycystic kidney disease) or develop sometime during your life (such as glomerulonephritis). Two common diseases that cause kidney failure include diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Also, diseases that cause failure in other organs, such as the heart or liver, often will cause damage to the kidneys. Kidneys can become damaged if they are not getting good blood flow. This can happen if you become dehydrated or seriously ill. Other things that can damage the kidneys include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and medications or drugs.

After having an organ transplant, you will take medications to prevent your body from rejecting your new organ. Some of these medications may be hard on the kidneys and over time can cause damage.

Can I tell if my kidneys are damaged?

You will often not have signs or symptoms of kidney damage until the damage is severe.  Your transplant team and other doctors can detect kidney damage through blood and urine tests.  The blood tests used to monitor for kidney damage include creatinine and BUN. Doctors can also measure creatinine clearance through urine tests and look for substances in the urine that can indicate kidney damage. 

When the kidneys aren’t working properly waste products build up in your body and make you feel sick. Your body may not be able to regulate fluid and you can get swelling in your extremities (edema). You may not be able to make enough red blood cells, causing you to become anemic. You may develop high blood pressure and your bones may become weaker.

Can kidney damage be treated? 

Yes! This usually involves treating the cause of the kidney damage. For example, doctors can treat kidney stones and urinary tract infections to help prevent them from causing serious or permanent kidney damage. Using medications to control blood pressures and keep blood sugars in normal ranges can greatly impact long-term kidney function. If medications are causing kidney damage doctors can often switch to different medications or lower doses to protect the kidneys.

When the kidneys become permanently damaged, patients need dialysis or a kidney transplant to restore the functions of the kidneys. 

Are there things I can do to prevent kidney damage? 

Yes! There are many things you can do to help prevent kidney damage:   

Having an organ transplant is a lifelong commitment. Along with keeping your new organ working properly, patients must take steps to avoid damage to other organs in their bodies. Members of your transplant team are available to assist with keeping you healthy and helping you maintain a normal, active life. 

Jamie Myers is a registered nurse transplant coordinator who works primarily with patients post liver transplant at the University of Wisconsin Transplant Program in Madison.

Be Aware of Heat Illnesses
Chris L. Wells, PhD, PT, CCS, ATC

Heat illnesses are commonly associated with athletic competition in hot, humid weather, but can fall upon a spectator as well. If the body’s ability to cool itself is insufficient or fails it leads to an increase in body temperature. Heat illnesses can be classified into three general categories: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Risk factors for heat illnesses include: age (children and adults over 50), history of a chronic disease, poor acclimation, poor sleeping habits, intensity of exercise, recent illness, poor physical conditioning, and medications including diuretics, hypertensive medications, antihistamines, and antidepressants to name a few.

Under normal conditions the body generates heat during exertion and has an effective mechanism for cooling itself. The body’s core temperature is dependent upon the environmental climate and the internal metabolic rate or heat. Environmental factors include ambient temperature, humidity, and clothing (see Figure 1 for the risk related to the heat index). When temperature increases the body increases the rate of sweating and the blood flow to the skin to dissipate body heat.

Everyone should recognize the signs and symptoms of dehydration. These can include thirst, sweating, transient muscle cramps, fatigue, general discomfort, flushed skin, weariness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, headache, and decrease in performance. The key things to do to prevent dehydration and reduce your risk of heat illnesses are to drink to replace fluids throughout the day, monitor the color of your urine (if it is getting darker than usual and there is a decrease in volume, you are likely dehydrated), and rest in a cool place between events.

HEAT CRAMPS:
Heat cramps are caused by either too little or too much fluid intake that leads to a decrease in the body’s sodium level. Athletes can make two mistakes: one the athlete can consume too much water while not replacing electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium through sports drinks and proper nutrition. Or the athlete does not consume enough fluids to replace what volume is lost in sweating, urine and stool production.
Signs and symptoms of cramps include the same signs and symptoms of dehydration as well as fatigue, transient muscle cramps, and sweating.

Treatment for cramps includes stopping the activity, replacing the fluids, which should be a water and sports drink mix. It is recommended to make a mixture of 1/2 to 2/3 water to 1/2 to 1/3 sports drink. Gentle massage and stretching will also decrease the muscle cramps.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is the inability to continue exercising in association with dehydration, excessive sweating, fatigue, and sodium loss. Exhaustion is related to either the depletion of water or the depletion of sodium. Exhaustion related to water depletion is commonly associated with advanced age and medications. Sodium depletion exhaustion is commonly related to poorly conditioned athletes and hyperhydration. Signs and symptoms include dehydration, body temperature less than 104° F, dizziness, GI distress, persistent muscle cramps, cool clammy skin, chills, weakness, change in mental status, and hyperventilation. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat syncope where there is a loss of blood pressure leading to the decrease of blood the heart can pump to the brain. Fainting commonly occurs as well.

Treatment for exhaustion begins with recognition of signs and symptoms. Ideally the athlete’s rectal temperature should be monitored. The activity should be stopped and the athlete should be removed from the heat, remove clothing to improve evaporation of the sweat, cool the athlete with fan or ice bag placed on back of the neck, axilla, and groin areas, and replace fluids. The athlete should be examined by a physician to determine if intravenous fluids are needed and to obtain clearance to return to competition.

HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is the most serious of the heat illnesses and is considered a medical emergency. The body’s ability to dissipate heat has failed and the body’s temperature is elevated (≥ 104° F). Signs and symptoms include what has been mentioned above for exhaustion and also include marked changes in mental status (delirium, hysteria or a loss of consciousness), hot and wet or dry skin, rapid heart rate and low blood pressure.

Treatment for heat stroke begins with a means to rapidly reduce the body’s temperature by either submerging the body in cold water, or removing clothing, placing ice bags over large blood vessels (neck, axilla and groin). Heart rate and blood pressure should be monitored closely. Finally, the medical emergency system (911) should be activated so the athlete can be transported to the hospital for more advanced care.

HOW TO PREPARE:

  1. Train for your sports, the higher your fitness level the less likely you will experience a heat illness. Spectators, increase your walking or other exercise interest.
  2. Talk to your transplant team about any fluid restriction you may need to follow. It is advised to begin to increase your fluid intake at least a couple of weeks before the sporting event to improve your body’s ability to utilize the fluid for heat dissipation.
  3. Slowly increase your training in the weather conditions in which you will be competing.
  4. Select loose fitting, light color clothing that wicks sweat away.
  5. Pre-hydrate (increase your fluids the day of your event). Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Once again it is recommended to drink a mixture of water (1/2 to 2/3) and a sports drink (1/2 to 1/3). Drinking too much sport drinks can lead to GI distress.
  6. Drink throughout the Games. If you become thirsty, you are already dehydrated and at increase risk of developing a heat illness.
  7. Eat well-rounded meals and increase your fluid intake at meals.
  8. Sleep well.
  9. Rest between events in the shade or out of the heat.
  10. Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses.

 Beyond caring for skin blisters and abrasions, the most common reason athletes and spectators will seek out medical attention will be due to a heat illness. So make sure to prepare yourself properly, learn the signs and symptoms to watch for, and seek medical attention early if you are not feeling well.

Figure 1: Risk of Heat Illness from Medicine Science and Sports Exercise: (1996) 28: i –vii.

References:

Binkley, HM, et al. Journal of Athletic Training. (2002) 37:3; 329-343.
Wexler, RK. American Family Physician. (2002) 2307-2320.
Armstrong, LM. Medicine Science and Sports Exercise (2007): 556-573.
Glazer, JL. American Family Physician (2005) 2133-2142.

Chris L. Wells has spent 12 years helping athletes prepare for the Transplant Games and will attend his fifth Games this summer.

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