Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body gets too hot. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls thirst and hunger. It also controls the body's core temperature. Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. When you are exposed to high temperatures for a long time (for example, when working outdoors in the summer) and don't replace the fluids you lose, the body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed. As a result, your body produces more heat than it can release. Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention because it can progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening illness.

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Review Date: 4/9/2018  

Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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