What are heat-related illnesses?
Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness. Children adjust more slowly than adults do to changes in environmental heat. They also produce more heat with activity than adults, and sweat less. Sweating is one of the body’s normal cooling mechanisms. Children often do not think to rest when having fun and may not drink enough fluids when playing, exercising, or participating in sports. Children with chronic health problems, or those who take certain medicines, may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Children who are overweight or wear heavy clothing during exertion, such as marching band or football uniforms, are also more susceptible. There are three types of heat-related illnesses: • heat cramps • heat exhaustion • heat stroke What are heat cramps? Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat injury and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after
