Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Overview
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Causes
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Authors and Editors
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Causes
Heat exhaustion is typically caused when people who are not well adjusted to heat exercise in a hot, humid environment.
- At high temperatures, the body cools itself largely through evaporation of sweat.
- When it is very humid, this mechanism does not work properly.
- The body loses a combination of fluids and salts (electrolytes).
- When this is accompanied by an inadequate replacement of fluids, disturbances in the circulation may result that are similar to a mild form of shock.
Heat stroke may often develop rapidly.
- Medical conditions or medications that impair the body's ability to sweat may predispose people to this problem.
- Heat stroke happens in the following two ways:
- The classic form occurs in people whose cooling mechanisms are impaired.
- The exertional form occurs in previously healthy people who are undergoing strenuous activity in a hot environment.
- The classic form occurs in people whose cooling mechanisms are impaired.
- Infants and the elderly are more likely to have this problem, as are those who are taking antihistamines and certain types of medication for high blood pressure or depression.
Next: Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Symptoms »
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Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke »
Heat illness is a major cause of preventable morbidity worldwide, especially in regions characterized by high ambient temperatures.
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