So you?ve got your cheap seats to the Preakness ? in the infield. Combining gambling, crowds ofpeople and tons of beer into one place can spell fun, but more often than not can spell serious injuries. The Preakness infield may be “the” place to be, with 98 Rock broadcasting live and calling the day “the mid-Atlantic?s largest party,” but the party?s over if someone gets seriously hurt.
Some of the risks of watching the race from the crowded infield include alcohol poisoning, heat exhaustion and being crushed by the hundreds of excited, drunken people attending the event. But the No. 1 risk of celebrating in the infield is dehydration.
“Dehydration is the most serious problem when people are enjoying themselves out in the sun,” said Michael P. Zimring, M.D. of Mercy Medical Center. “Hydration is very, very important.”
Zimring explained that when the body becomes dehydrated, it slows down the heart rate, which in turn causes fatigue and muscle weakness. If dehydration is left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure. Dehydration is also dangerous because it prevents perspiration, which is the body?s main way of cooling down. No perspiration can lead to heat stroke or exhaustion.
To prevent dehydration, Zimring recommends drinking plenty of fluids ? water, that is, not beer ? and staying out of the sun whenever possible. Drinking plenty of fluids can also help prevent blood clots.
Some of the symptoms of dehydration are fatigue and muscle weakness. “If you are feeling dehydrated, get in the shade, get hydrated and get some help,” Zimring said. “You have to get professional help right away.
“I don?t mean to be a killjoy, but the best way to prevent dehydration is to limit the alcohol and drink water, because alcohol dehydrates you. Keep cool, keep in the shade and wear loose clothing. Those are the big things you have to do in a situation like that.”
