Heat intoleranceDefinition: Heat intolerance is the inability to be comfortable when external temperatures rise.
Alternative Names: Sensitivity to heat; Intolerance to heat
Considerations: Heat intolerance often produces a feeling of being overheated and can cause heavy sweating. Heat intolerance usually comes on slowly and lasts over the long-term.
Home Care: Keep room temperature at a comfortable level. Drink plenty of fluids.
Call your health care provider if: Call your health care provider if you have persistent and unexplained heat intolerance.
What to expect at your health care provider's office: Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination . Medical history questions may include: - Time pattern
- Have you had heat intolerance before?
- Have you always had difficulty tolerating heat?
- When did you begin to develop heat intolerance?
- Do you often feel hot when other people do not complain of the heat?
- Associated complaints
- Is it worse when you exercise?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Palpitations
- Rapid pulse (heart rate)
- Vomiting
Tests that may be performed include:
- Blood studies
- Thyroid studies (TSH , T3 , free T4 )
After seeing your health care provider: You may want to add a diagnosis related to heat intolerance to your personal medical record.
References: Ladenson P, Kim M. Thyroid. In: Goldman L and Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders; 2007:chap 244.
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