As temperatures rise globally, athletes from youth leagues to elite competitions are increasingly vulnerable to heat stroke and serious organ damage — including kidney failure. Sports nephrologist Dr. Raeeda Gheewala warns that a high school football player dies nearly every year in the U.S. from heat stroke, and the risk is only growing as extreme heat events become more frequent and widespread.

Kidney damage in athletes typically stems from a dangerous combination of dehydration, intense exercise, and inadequate acclimatization. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown that can trigger kidney failure), exercise-associated hyponatremia (dangerously low sodium from over-hydrating with plain water), and acute kidney injury can all occur simultaneously — and NSAID use can make things significantly worse.

Key Takeaways:

• Proper acclimatization — 7 to 14 days of training under similar conditions and equipment — significantly reduces heat-related risk
• The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) scale, which factors in temperature, humidity, sun, and wind, is a more reliable safety guide than temperature alone
• Heat stroke diagnosis requires a core body temp ≥104°F plus a neurological symptom; cold water immersion is the standard of care
• FIFA now mandates 3-minute hydration breaks during World Cup matches in response to heat concerns

Why it matters: Heat-related illness is preventable, but only if coaches, parents, and first responders know what to look for and how to act fast. Dr. Gheewala's new certification course aims to bring that life-saving knowledge beyond elite sports programs to Little League fields and community teams.