At beliefnet.com they remind us of how important it is to stay hydrated during the hot weather months. An analogy was made with our bodies and cars. In a car, without coolant, the radiator can't do its job, the engine overheats and breaks down. Our bodies work the same way. When we exercise or produce heat, our skin acts as our radiator in the form of sweat, our coolant. Sweat carries the heat from our body's core to the skin where it dissipates. So the key is to keep the body full of "coolant," which is water.
Long exposure to heat or sun can cause excessive sweating which removes fluids and salt from the body. When the amount of salt and fluids falls too far below normal, overheating can result.
The key is to drink water before and after exercise or sun exposure. Family Practitioner, Jane Corboy, MD, advises that for every 30 minutes of exercise, a person should drink a cup of water or sports drink, including kids. So even though you may not feel thirsty, you should be sure to stay well hydrated while in the sun or exercising to prevent overheating. Be sure to push liquids on kids while they are doing outdoor activities in the heat.
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