Why does obesity cause heat intolerance?

Your body releases heat by moving more blood toward the skin and by evaporating sweat. A larger body mass produces more heat during everyday movement and gives heat farther to travel from deeper tissues to the skin. Humid air can make sweat evaporation less effective. Heat Intolerance is a common presentation of Obesity, although other health conditions, medicines, dehydration, and fever can also make someone feel unusually hot.

Plan demanding activity for cooler parts of the day, take regular shade or air-conditioned breaks, and wear loose, breathable clothing. Drink fluids regularly unless a clinician has told you to limit them. Slow down at the first signs of overheating, such as dizziness, nausea, headache, heavy sweating, or unusual fatigue. A clinician can review medicines that affect fluid balance or sweating and help set a gradual, realistic activity and weight-management plan.

Get urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, a seizure, severe weakness, trouble breathing, chest pain, or a person who is very hot and cannot safely cool down. Contact a clinician promptly if heat symptoms are new, happen indoors or in mild temperatures, recur despite precautions, or occur with palpitations, tremor, or unexplained weight change.

Ask whether any of your medicines change sweating, hydration, or heat tolerance, and whether other causes should be checked. Ask for individual guidance on fluids, activity, and working or exercising outdoors.