Heatstroke occurs in hot, humid conditions when the body fails to control its own temperature. It is a medical emergency. A significant number of cases are seen each year during the summer months in South Africa when temperatures of 28 ° C and higher, and humidity above 70%, are reached.
There are two types of heatstroke: classical and exercise-induced. Classical heatstroke affects the more fragile - the very young and the elderly, often those with heart disease. It occurs without any exercise activity during a heat wave. Young children left in a hot car are particularly at risk. There is usually no sweating.
Exercise-induced heatstroke is more common in young, healthy, fit athletes who exercise in hot, and especially humid, conditions. Athletes who exercise vigorously for short periods, such as in short-distance races (6-15 km), rather than marathons, are most at risk. It seems that only certain athletes are susceptible to this condition, suggesting an inherited metabolic predisposition.
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