Editorial

Preventing Heat Illness in Athletes

Authors: Randy Wexler, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Abstract

Although not generally appreciated, heatstroke is the third leading cause of death in athletes.1 Fortunately, in the past few years there has been an increase in the awareness of heat-related illnesses in both the medical community and the population in general. This is likely due to the heat wave that swept Europe in the summer of 2003, as well as the recent high profile heat-related deaths of professional and collegiate athletes.

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References

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3. Pugh LG, Corbett JL, Johnson RH. Rectal temperatures, weight losses, and sweat rates in marathon running. J Appl Physiol 1967;23:347–352.
 
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