A 44-year-old member asked:
What does the term heat syncope mean?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 34 years experience
Overheats and faints: A person who gets overheated will automatically dilate (widen) the blood vessels in his skin so that more blood will flow to the skin. His body does this in hopes of cooling him down, just like the elephant who sends more blood to his ears to cool his body down. The person, however, feels lightheaded and may faint because there is not enough blood flowing his brain (too much blood is in the skin).
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Pedro Hernandezanswered
Geriatrics 41 years experience
Heat exhaustion: Any person having syncope while exposed to the sun or warm temperatures. This is associated to the vasodilation, to the perspiration o lack of perspiration, associated to dehydration, fasting, or to exertion. If severe could cause signs of stroke then called heat-stroke.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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