Your body works constantly to maintain a temperature of 98.6 degrees, especially during extreme weather conditions. When it's hot, your body produces sweat that evaporates to cool you down. High humidity makes this cooling process less effective since the air is already moisture-saturated.

Here are 10 crucial facts about heat and your health:

1. Heat-related deaths affect over 600 Americans annually, with seniors, children, and those with chronic conditions at highest risk.

2. Men have more active sweat glands than women, making them more susceptible to dehydration.

3. The human body contains up to 4 million sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine), controlled by the hypothalamus region of the brain.

4. Heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, heavy sweating, and headache. Treatment requires moving to a cool place, hydrating, and using cool compresses.

5. Heatstroke occurs when body temperature reaches 104 degrees, causing symptoms like muscle cramping, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and seizures. This requires immediate medical attention.

6. Prevention strategies include:

• Drinking water before feeling thirsty
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol in extreme heat
• Wearing loose clothing
• Exercising during cooler hours

7. Infants and children are particularly vulnerable due to their high metabolic rate and limited ability to sweat.

8. High-risk adults include:

• Elderly individuals
• People with obesity
• Those with diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis patients
• Individuals with limited mobility

9. Certain medications increase heatstroke risk, including:

• Antihistamines
• Blood pressure medications
• Diuretics
• Antidepressants

10. Hyperhidrosis affects 4.8% of the population, causing excessive sweating regardless of temperature. Treatment options include medications, Botox injections, and surgical procedures.

Remember to seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe heat-related symptoms, especially mental confusion or seizures.

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