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Heat stroke is an acute temperature elevation caused by exposure to excessive heat, or combination of heat and humidity, that overwhelms the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body. The latter is a relatively rare side effect of many drugs, particularly those that affect the central nervous system .
Heat syncope is fainting or dizziness as a result of overheating (syncope is the medical term for fainting). It is a type of heat illness. The basic symptom of heat syncope is fainting, with or without mental confusion. [1] Heat syncope is caused by peripheral vessel dilation, resulting in diminished blood flow to the brain and dehydration.
This prevents blood from losing heat to the surroundings and also prevents the core temperature dropping further. This process is called vasoconstriction. It is impossible to prevent all heat loss from the blood, only to reduce it. In extremely cold conditions, excessive vasoconstriction leads to numbness and pale skin.
Multiple dangerous heat waves struck the United States in 2024, and excessive heat is the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Around the world , rising temperatures have ...
An excessive heat warning, the highest alert level on a four-tier scale, means everyone needs to take precautions to stay safe in the heat because "you may become seriously ill or even die," the ...
Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and ...
Heat illness is a spectrum of disorders due to increased body temperature. It can be caused by either environmental conditions or by exertion. It includes minor conditions such as heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion as well as the more severe condition known as heat stroke. [1] It can affect any or all anatomical systems. [2]
The body produces the stress hormone cortisol to cope with the stress excessive heat puts on the body, which can lead to anxiety and stress. It's unclear if extreme heat can be the cause of mental ...