Heat intolerance

Definition:

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 produce heavy sweating. Heat intolerance usually comes on slowly and persists long-term.

Common Causes:

thyrotoxicosis (Excess thyroid hormone increases the basal metabolic rate, which causes body temperature to rise.)
amphetamines (such as appetite suppressants)
caffeine
menopause

Home Care:

Room temperature should be kept at a comfortable level. Drinking lots of fluids is recommended.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if there is persistent and unexplained heat intolerance.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting heat intolerance in detail 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?
aggravating factors
- Is it worse when you exercise?
associated complaints
- What other symptoms are present? Especially, is there:
  - fainting
  - vomiting
  - dizziness
  - palpitations
  - rapid pulse (heart rate)

Diagnostic 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.

Review Date: 3/2/2002
Reviewed By: Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.