Heat exhaustion

Okay kiddo, have you ever been really hot and tired after spending too much time playing outside in the sun? That's kind of like what can happen with heat exhaustion.

When we are in hot weather or doing lots of physical activity, our body can get overheated. This is usually because our internal temperature is rising faster than it can cool down.

So, to cool us down, our body starts to sweat. Sweat is like a special "water" that our body makes to help us stay cool. When we sweat, the water on our skin starts to evaporate (go away), which helps to cool us down.

But, if we are in really hot weather or doing lots of physical activity for a long time, our body might not be able to make enough sweat to cool us down. This is when we might start to feel really hot, tired, and maybe even dizzy or weak.

This is called heat exhaustion. It can happen to anyone, but little kids and older people are especially at risk. If we don't take a break and cool down, heat exhaustion can even turn into something more serious called heat stroke.

So, if you start to feel really hot and tired, it's important to take a break and find a cool place to rest. Drink some water, and maybe even take a cool shower or dip in a pool to help cool your body down. That way, you can stay safe and healthy while enjoying your time in the sun.

Did that help explain heat exhaustion to you?