How common is heat intolerance in heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion can develop after working, exercising, or staying in a hot setting. Feeling unusually unable to cope with warmth may occur alongside heavy sweating, thirst, weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, or a fast heartbeat. Heat intolerance on its own has several possible causes, so it does not identify heat exhaustion by itself.

Move to a cool or air-conditioned place, loosen unnecessary clothing, and rest. Sip cool fluids if you are awake and able to swallow. Cool the skin with a damp cloth, a fan, or a cool shower. Avoid alcohol and strenuous activity until you feel recovered. Do not return to the heat while you still feel faint, weak, or unwell.

Get emergency help for confusion, fainting, a seizure, trouble staying awake, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or very hot skin with a change in behaviour. These can be warning signs of a more serious heat illness. Seek medical advice if symptoms do not settle after cooling and fluids, if vomiting prevents drinking, or if symptoms keep returning.

Tell the clinician when symptoms started, the heat exposure involved, what you drank, and any medicines or health conditions that affect sweating, blood pressure, or fluid balance. Ask whether another cause of heat intolerance should be considered and how to plan safer activity in hot weather.