Heat intolerance is a feeling of being overheated when the temperature around you rises. It can often cause heavy sweating. Heat intolerance usually comes on slowly and lasts for a long time, but it may also occur quickly and be due to a serious illness.
Conditions that can cause heat intolerance.
You may develop this symptom if you have an anxiety disorder, if you're in menopause, or if you have thyrotoxicosis (when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone) from any condition, like hyperthyroidism.
The most common means of assessing heat intolerance is via measurement of HR and body core temperature. If an individual is heat intolerant, they will have a higher HR and body core temperature and will only be able to complete shorter work durations compared to those who are tolerant [13,14].
Chantel Strachan said some of the more common signs of heat intolerance include: Increased sweating. Lightheadedness. Excessive fatigue.
As we age, our ability to adequately respond to summer heat can become a serious problem. Older people are at significant increased risk of heat-related illnesses, known collectively as hyperthermia, during the summer months.
Lupus is one associated disorder. Another is Scleroderma, a connective tissue disorder that causes hardening of the skin. As many as 85% of Scleroderma patients also have Raynaud's, which is also characterized by extreme heat sensitivity.
Over-sensitivity Those that have anxiety may also be over sensitive to heat that is within normal ranges. You may find that when you're already feeling uncomfortable and agitated, extra heat or cold in your environment may contribute to further agitation, and make you more likely to notice any temperature changes.
Heat-related illness occurs when our body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Normally, the body cools itself by sweating, but sometimes sweating isn't enough and the body temperature keeps rising.
Problems with regulating body temperature are influenced by a variety of things. For women, hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause create a number of thermoregulation issues. Genetic disorders, infections, nutrition problems, and injury or tumors in the brain can also cause problems with thermoregulation.
No matter the cause of your heat intolerance, these lifestyle habits will reduce your chances of getting dangerously hot¹⁸: Stick to cool environments, seeking air conditioning and shade as much as possible. Drink plenty of water.
Heat intolerance is a feeling of being overheated when the temperature around you rises. It can often cause heavy sweating. Heat intolerance usually comes on slowly and lasts for a long time, but it may also occur quickly and be due to a serious illness.
As per experts, body size can also be one of the reasons why some people feel hotter or colder than others. The larger the body, the greater the heat sink, hence leading to a longer time to cool down, says Ollie Jay, a researcher of physiology at the University of Sydney.
The immune system may respond even if you're scrupulous about sunscreen use and staying hydrated during outdoor outings. If you've ever felt lethargic, achy, or experienced general 'under-the-weather' type feelings after sun exposure, this immune response may be the culprit.
Hydrate. It's a simple tip we all know, but the power of drinking lots of water can help ease symptoms of anxiety as well as physical symptoms of dehydration. Understanding the connection between feeling anxious and the heat can help you to feel less anxious.
Feeling hot or flushed is a common symptom of anxiety. In times of panic or stress, a person may feel a sudden sensation of heat, similar to that of a hot flash. This happens due to the “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” response, which is the body's way of preparing for perceived danger.
Thinking about overheating symptoms like high heart rate, sweaty palms and shortness of breath can also trigger anxiety and panic attacks. Cope by keeping your sleep environment cool, scheduling downtime and practicing deep breathing when you feel panicked.
Research suggests that this drop in estrogen impacts the part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature, which may be why many women in this stage of life experience “hot flashes”—sudden, brief sensations of intense warmth that often includes flushing, sweating, and chills.
—Hypothyroidism in the adult has been characterized clinically by cold intolerance, lethargy, constipation, and overall slowing of intellectual and motor activities. Conversely, classic clinical hyperthyroidism has been recognized by heat intolerance, palpitations, hyperkinesis, and emotional lability.
FIBROMYALGIA HEAT INTOLERANCE TRIGGERS PAIN SYMPTOMS
Overall, many people living with fibromyalgia have “temperature sensitivity” symptoms or suffer a worsening of their symptoms (such as muscle pain or fatigue) with any extreme temperature fluctuations, whether it's hot or cold.
Physical changes – changes in skin due to normal ageing can mean that on hot days, the skin might not be able to produce enough sweat to cool the body. Chronic medical problems – older people are more likely to have chronic medical problems. Certain conditions make the body more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
People aged 65 or older are more prone to heat-related health concerns. Older adults can't adjust to sudden temperature changes as fast as younger people. This may happen because of certain medicines they take or chronic illnesses that affect their ability to regulate body temperature.
The best way to acclimatize yourself to the heat is to increase the workload performed in a hot setting gradually over a period of 1–2 weeks.
Do skinny people feel different water temperatures than chubby people at the beach (or in general)? No. Skin sensations of cold or heat don't change as far as your percentage of body fat.
Heat-related symptoms are temporary
The symptoms improve after you cool down.