Heat intolerance is a symptom characterized by feeling overheated in warm environments or when the surrounding environment's temperature rises.[1] Typically, the person feels uncomfortably hot and sweats excessively.
Compared to heat illnesses like heatstroke, heat intolerance is usually a symptom of endocrine disorders, drugs, or other medical conditions, rather than the result of too much exercise or hot, humid weather.
Symptoms[edit]
- Feeling subjectively hot
- Sweating, which may be excessive
In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), heat intolerance may cause a pseudoexacerbation, which is a temporary worsening of MS-related symptoms. A temporary worsening of symptoms can also happen in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and dysautonomia.[citation needed]
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis is largely made from the patient history, followed by blood tests and other medical tests to determine the underlying cause. In women, hot flashes must be excluded.[citation needed]
Causes[edit]
Excess thyroid hormone, which is called thyrotoxicosis (such as in cases of hyperthyroidism), is the most common cause.[1][2]
Other causes include:
- Amphetamines along with other types of stimulant medications, such as appetite suppressants
- Anticholinergics and other drugs that can impair sweating
- Caffeine
- Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility[3]
- Menopause
- Multiple sclerosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
- Hypothalamic tumors[2]
- Methadone treatment
- Dysautonomia[4]
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
- Sensory defensiveness/sensory processing disorder
- Serotonin syndrome
Treatment[edit]
Treatment is directed at making the affected person feel more comfortable, and, if possible, resolving the underlying cause of the heat intolerance.
Symptoms can be reduced by staying in a cool environment. Drinking more fluids, especially if the person is sweating excessively, may help.
Cooling vests can be used as a preventative tool to reduce a person's body temperature or when symptoms present to feel more comfortable.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Heat intolerance: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". MedlinePlus. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
- ^ a b Wilkins, Lippincott Williams &. Nursing: Interpreting signs & symptoms. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007-03-01 . ISBN 9781582556680. p. 306–307.
- ^ Wang, Hui J.; Lee, Chang Seok; Yee, Rachel Sue Zhen; Groom, Linda; Friedman, Inbar; Babcock, Lyle; Georgiou, Dimitra K.; Hong, Jin; Hanna, Amy D.; Recio, Joseph; Choi, Jong Min (2020-10-09). "Adaptive thermogenesis enhances the life-threatening response to heat in mice with an Ryr1 mutation". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 5099. Bibcode:2020NatCo..11.5099W. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-18865-z. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7547078. PMID 33037202.
- ^ "Autonomic neuropathy" from U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedLine Plus. Accessed 2015-05-20.