What Is Heat-Related Illness?
Heat-related illness, also called hyperthermia, results when someone is exposed to extreme heat and the body becomes unable to properly cool, resulting in a rapid rise in body temperature.
Normally, the body cools itself through evaporation of sweat. However, when the humidity is high, sweat does not evaporate as quickly. This prevents the body from releasing heat quickly. If these conditions occur with a loved one, it is essential to aggressively replace bodily fluids and cool the body’s core temperature to avoid illness or even death.
Elderly, disabled or homebound individuals are among those most at risk for heat-related illness. Those with heart or circulatory problems, long-term illness or those who take medications that alter sweat production are also at risk. If your loved one has pets – especially those who spend time outdoors – they will need special attention if exposed to extreme heat.
Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the most serious.
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