Heat Illness: MedlinePlus

Heat Illness: MedlinePlus



A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Heat Illness

Also called: Heat exhaustion, Sunstroke 

Your body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating just isn't enough. Your body temperature can rise to dangerous levels and you can develop a heat illness. Most heat illnesses occur from staying out in the heat too long. Exercising too much for your age and physical condition are also factors. Older adults, young children and those who are sick or overweight are most at risk. Drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, replenishing salt and minerals, and limiting time in the heat can help.

Heat-related illnesses include

• Heatstroke - a life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106° F in minutes; symptoms include dry skin, rapid, strong pulse and dizziness
• Heat exhaustion - an illness that can precede heatstroke; symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid breathing and a fast, weak pulse
• Heat cramps - muscle pains or spasms that happen during heavy exercise
• Heat rash - skin irritation from excessive sweating

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Heat emergencies
• Heat intolerance

Related Topics

• Dehydration
• Sun Exposure
• Injuries and Wounds
• Symptoms

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Heat Illness is theNational Institute on Aging

Languages

• Arabic (العربية)
• Bosnian (Bosanski)
• Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文)
• Somali (af Soomaali)
• Spanish (español)

• Start Here

  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Extreme Heat(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health(National Institute on Aging)
  • Also available in Spanish

• Overviews

  • Extreme Heat(Department of Homeland Security)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Extreme Heat and Your Health(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Also available in Spanish

• Latest News

  • Heat Waves Tied to Higher Rates of Early-Term Deliveries(04/08/2014, HealthDay)

• Diagnosis/Symptoms

  • Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Treatment

  • Heat Cramps, First Aid(Logical Images)
  • Heat Exhaustion, First Aid(Logical Images)
  • Heatstroke, First Aid(Logical Images)
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• Prevention/Screening

  • Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Heat Wave Safety Checklist(American Red Cross) - PDF
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Specific Conditions

  • Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Heat Rash or Prickly Heat (Miliaria Rubra)(Logical Images)
  • Heat Stress Resources for Workers(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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• Related Issues

  • Heat and Exercise: Keeping Cool in Hot Weather(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • Heat Index(National Weather Service)
  • Protect Your Heart in the Heat(American Heart Association)
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• Videos

  • Children in Hot Cars Result in Fatal Consequences(American College of Emergency Physicians)
  • Heat Waves(Healthy Roads Media)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • What to Do in a Medical Emergency: Heat-Related Illnesses(American College of Emergency Physicians)
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• Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Dehydration(National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Heat Exhaustion(National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Heat Stress Disorders(National Institutes of Health)
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• Journal Articles

  References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
  • Article: Heat removal using microclimate foot cooling: a thermal foot manikin...
  • Article: Unusual heat stroke caused by herbal therapy with traditional Chinese...
  • Article: Heat-related fatalities in Wisconsin during the summer of 2012.
  • Heat Illness -- see more articles
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• Organizations

  • American Red Cross
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Also available in Spanish
  • National Center for Environmental Health(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  • Also available in Spanish
  • National Institute on Aging
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Children

  • Heat Rash or Prickly Heat (Miliaria Rubra)(Logical Images)
  • How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun(Nemours Foundation)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • In and around the Car: Heatstroke(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
  • Parents' and Coaches' Guide to Dehydration and Other Heat Illnesses in Children(National Athletic Trainers' Association) - PDF
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Teenagers

  • Dehydration and Youth Sports: Curb the Risk(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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• Seniors

  • Heat Stress in the Elderly(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health(National Institute on Aging)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Keep It Cool in Hot Weather(National Institutes of Health)
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• Patient Handouts

  • Heat emergencies
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Protecting Workers from Heat Stress(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
  • Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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