Ask the Doctor

Poor tolerance to heat

Published by

August 16, 2025 8:19 am

I have been finding it difficult to tolerate a slight increase in heat for the past few weeks. Kindly let me know what could be the cause.

Abdul (by SMS)

Heat intolerance is an unusual sensitivity to heat. People with heat intolerance may feel hot when others feel comfortable or cold. Heat intolerance causes may include conditions that cause dysautonomia, which affects the autonomic nervous system. They may also have an unusual response to heat, such as intense sweating or anxiety. Heat intolerance is not a disease, but it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

Causes of heat intolerance include: Some medications change the body’s response to heat, for example, by decreasing sweat production. Anticholinergic drugs, which can treat many psychiatric conditions and Parkinson’s disease, may reduce sweating and increase heat sensitivity.

Sensory processing disorder, as well as sensory issues that sometimes accompany autism, may make a person more sensitive to heat. Medical conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as spinal cord injuries and MS, can increase heat sensitivity by changing how the body or brain processes heat or inhibiting the body’s ability to regulate temperature. The endocrine system helps the body regulate a wide range of functions.

Disorders such as Graves’ disease, a thyroid condition, can increase heat sensitivity. For some people, heat intolerance is a sign of low fitness or low body weight. Ways to avoid the problem include: Avoiding direct sunlight. The sun tends to be at its hottest and brightest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use air conditioning or a fan during the summer months.

Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Avoiding alcohol in hot weather. Taking a cool bath or swimming in a pool. Wrapping a towel soaked in cold water around the back of the neck. Avoiding strenuous activities during hot weather or in warm rooms.