19 HS football players hospitalized after camp

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A doctor sums up the illness that hit 19 members of a northwest Oregon high school football team as "very weird." They all suffered muscle damage after a preseason camp.

Three of the McMinnville High School players also were diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue condition called "compartment syndrome," which caused soreness and swelling in their triceps. They underwent surgery to relieve the pressure.

The 19 players all had elevated levels of the enzyme creatine kinase, or CK, which is released by muscles when they're injured, said Dr. Craig Winkler of Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville. High CK levels can lead to kidney failure if not properly treated.

"To have an epidemic like this is very weird," Winkler said.

Officials said the cause was still a mystery, but high CK levels can result from vigorous exercise or the use of certain medications or food supplements.

Before their symptoms started this past week, the players were at an immersion camp organized by first-year coach Jeff Kearin. Winkler said the players worked out last Sunday at the high school's wrestling room, where temperatures reached 115 degrees.

He said the high temperature and dehydration may have played a role. He also said officials will look at water sources and what the kids had to drink, including power mixes.

FOXNews.com - 3 Ore. high school football players undergo surgery, 16 treated for muscle damage after camp

They are suspecting creatine. Comments?