Heat stroke (heatstroke or sun stroke) is a form of hyperthermia. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated. Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, absence of sweating, hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, and coma. A victim of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. Read more: Heat Stroke (A Very Serious Condition) Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Symptoms, Signs, Causes
What is low blood pressure (hypotension)? Explore low blood pressure causes, symptoms, and signs. Discover what is considered low...
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Healthy Living: Sunlight and Your Health
While too much time in the sun can be bad for your skin and may lead to serious health problems, small doses can be good for you...
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Muscle Cramps (Charley Horse) and Muscle Spasms
What are the differences between muscle spasms and cramps? Learn about the causes of muscle spasms and cramps (charley horse) in...
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Dehydration: Causes, Symptoms & Signs
Do you know the signs of dehydration? Dehydration can be mild or life-threatening. Learn causes, symptoms, treatments, and...
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How to Get Rid of Nausea and Vomiting
What is nausea? Do you want to know how to get rid of nausea and how to stop vomiting? Learn home remedies for nausea,...
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Heat Rash: How Do You Get Rid of It?
Do you know what heat rash looks like? Prickly heat is an itchy skin problem. It can cause pus-filled papules (blisters), red...
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Sun-Damaged Skin: See Sun Spots, Wrinkles, Sunburns, Skin Cancer
See how sun damaged skin can cause wrinkles, moles, melanoma (skin cancer) and more. Explore images of squamous cell carcinoma...
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Picture of Acute Sunburn
Sunburn is an inflammation of the skin that develops in response to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from...
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Sun Safety Quiz
What do you know about the Sun and the damage it can cause to our skin. Take the Sun Safety Quiz and learn how to protect...
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Summer Skin Risks: Sunburn, Bug Bites & Poison Ivy
When it comes to summer, there plenty of hazards under the sun! Take the Summer Skin Hazards Quiz and clue in on the dangers to...
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Trauma and First Aid Quiz: Training and Supplies
What should be in your first-aid kit? Take this quiz to understand trauma and learn the truth about how to administer first aid.
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Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Do you know the difference between seizures and epilepsy? What are the types of seizures? Take the Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz to...
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Headaches Quiz: Learn About Headache Pain
If you're plagued with headaches, our Headaches Quiz may help you identify causes, triggers, symptoms, and treatments for...
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Picture of Sunburn
Sunburn is an inflammation of the skin that develops in response to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from...
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Picture of Sunburn (First-Degree Burns)
A sunburn is skin damage from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. See a picture of Sunburn (First-Degree Burns) and learn more about...
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Picture of Sunburn (Second-Degree)
Your skin type affects how easily you become sunburned. See a picture of Sunburn (Second-Degree) and learn more about the health...
SLIDESHOW
Dehydration: Causes, Symptoms & Signs See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
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Heat Rash: Symptoms and Treatment
Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating. It can occur at any age and it appears as a rash that itches or feels prickly, and looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. Heat rash remedies include OTC creams and sprays. Usually heat rash resolves when the skin is cooled sufficiently. Medical treatment may be necessary if the sweat glands become infected.
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Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Some of the symptoms of low blood pressure include light-headedness, dizziness, and fainting if not enough blood is getting to the brain. Diseases and medications can also cause low blood pressure. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys; the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.
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Natural Home Remedies for Sunburn
There are many natural and home remedies that are thought to relieve the symptoms and signs of a sunburn. Check out our top 30 tips to cool that sunburn, for example, drink lots of water, juice, or sports drinks; apply a cool compress containing Burow's solution; coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer after sunburn pain has stopped; apply topical over-the-counter (OTC) 1% hydrocortisone cream; and take OTC pain relievers like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
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Shock (Medical)
What is shock? A life-threatening condition with symptoms like low blood pressure, weakness, shallow breathing, clammy skin, fainting, anxiety, confusion, and chest pain. Learn about causes, types, and treatment.
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Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
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Dizziness
Dizziness is a symptom that often applies to a variety of sensations including lightheadedness and vertigo. Causes of dizziness include low blood pressure, heart problems, anemia, dehydration, and other medical conditions. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause.
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Sun-Sensitive Drugs (Photosensitivity to Drugs)
Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) is an inflammation of the skin induced by the combination of medications or substances and sunlight. The effect on the skin is redness, which looks similar to a sunburn. Generally, these reactions are either phototoxic or photoallergic. Phototoxic drugs are more common than photoallergic drugs. Symptoms of phototoxic reactions are a burning and stinging sensation and then redness. Symptoms of photoallergic reactions are itching, redness, swelling, and blisters of the affected area. Treatment generally is discontinuation of the medication and topical application of creams.Treatment generally is discontinuation of the medication and topical application of creams.
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Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many conditions including motion sickness, pregnancy, emotional stress, gallbladder disease, and other illnesses. Learn about causes, treatment, and when to be concerned.
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Fainting (Syncope)
Fainting, also referred to as blacking out, syncope, or temporary loss of consciousness has many causes. Often a person will have signs or symptoms prior to the fainting episode. Diagnosis and treatment depends upon the cause of the fainting or syncope episode.
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Dehydration in Adults & Children
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of dehydration include headache, lightheadedness, constipation, and bad breath. Treatment for dehydration is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
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Heat Exhaustion (First Aid Tips)
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement fluids. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting. A person suffering from heat exhaustion should stop the activity are doing, move to a cooler environment, and rehydrate with liquids, for example, water or sports drinks. Complications of heat exhaustion are dehydration, muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke (a medical emergency) if not treated.
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Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a disease of the mucus and sweat glands. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease. The outcome of the disease leaves the body malnourished, with bulky and fouls smelling stools, vitamin insufficiency, gas, painful or swollen abdomen, infertility, susceptible to heat emergencies, and respiratory failure. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, treatment of symptoms is used to manage the disease.
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Sunburn (Sun Poisoning)
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV rays can also damage the eyes. Repeated overexposure to UV rays also increases the risk for scarring, freckles, wrinkles, and dry skin. Symptoms of sunburn include painful, red, tender, and hot skin.The skin may blister, swell, and peel. Sun poisoning (severe sunburn) include nausea, fever, chills, rapid pulse, dizziness and more. Home remedies can help relieve sunburn pain, blisters, and peeling. Severe sunburns may need medical treatment. Sun protection and sunscreen for an person's skin type is recommended to decrease the chance of a severe sunburn and sun poisoning.
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Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension symptoms include: LightheadednessWeaknessBlurred vision Syncope or passing out Causes of orthostatic hypotension include: Dehydration, Anemia, Medication Blood loss Low blood pressure Heat related illnesses Parkinson's disease Diabetes Treatment of orthostatic hypotension depends on the underlying cause.
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Seizure (Epilepsy)
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are many causes of epilepsy. Treatment of epilepsy (seizures) depends upon the cause and type of seizures experienced.
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Heat Cramps
Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity or work in a hot, humid environment. Symptoms of heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs that occur in association with strenuous activity. Heat cramps are part of a group of heat-related illnesses. Heat cramps can sometimes lead to heat exhaustion or, in severe instances, heat stroke, which is a true medical emergency.
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Seizures Symptoms and Types
Seizures are divided into two categories: generalized and partial. Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from throughout the brain, while partial seizures are produced by electrical impulses in a small part of the brain. Seizure symptoms include unconsciousness, convulsions, and muscle rigidity.
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest is an unexpected, sudden death caused by sudden cardiac arrest (loss of heart function). Causes and risk factors of sudden cardiac arrest include (not inclusive) abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, smoking, high cholesterol,Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation after a heart attack, congenital heart defects, history of fainting, heart failure, obesity, diabetes, and drug abuse. Treatment of sudden cardiac arrest is an emergency, and action must be taken immediately.
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Hyperthermia (Heat-Related Illness)
Heat-related illness include heat rash, cramps, exhaustion, stroke, and sunburn. Treatment of heat related illnesses depend on the condition, but symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, seizures, and coma. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and may result in death if not treated promptly. Heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke if not treated properly.
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Coma Causes and Glasgow Coma Scale
Coma is the inability to waken or react to the surrounding environment. The Glasgow Coma Scale is frequently used to measure the depth of coma. Causes of coma include trauma, bleeding, edema, lack of oxygen, poisoning, or hypoglycemia. Prognosis for a patient in a coma depends on the cause of the coma.
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Sunscreen
Sunscreens are crucial for sun protection. Sun damage to the skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays is a risk factor for skin cancer and melanoma. To avoid sunburn, people should limit sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., wear protective clothing, and use a sunscreen. People with sensitive skin should use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
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First Aid: Why You Need a First Aid Kit and CPR
First aid is providing medical assistance to someone a sick or injured person. The type of first aid depends on their condition. Preparedness is key to first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Many minor injuries may require first aid, including cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, and nosebleeds. Examples of more critical first aid emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heatstroke.
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Seizure vs. Seizure Disorders: What's the Difference?
Seizures and seizure disorders are not the same medical problems. A seizure happens when the electrical activity in the brain is uncontrolled. There are about 40 different types of seizure disorders, in which epilepsy is one. Symptoms depend on the type of disorder, but can include loss of consciousness, uncontrolled twitching or shaking of one side, or the entire body.
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Fitness
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
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How Do I Deal With Pregnancy in the Summer Heat?
When you’re dealing with a summer pregnancy, it’s important to limit activities that raise your core temperature.
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Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricanes are based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, which places them in 5 categories. Weather (hurricane) predictions, names, and tracking are provided by The National Hurricane Center (NHC), a division of NOAA. Hurricane season lasts from June to November. Preparing for a hurricane is necessary if you live in an area prone to them. Prepare a hurricane supply and first aid kit ahead of time.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Summer Skin Hazards Pictures FAQs
- Headaches FAQs
- Epilepsy and Seizures FAQs
- Sun Safety FAQs
- Trauma and First Aid FAQs
- 11 Tips for a Safe Fourth of July
- What Is a Hospitalist?
- Heatstroke - Hot Time!...Summer In The City
- First Aid Fast Facts
- Summer Heat: 15 Ways to Keep Cool When It’s Hot
- 11 Tips for Surviving A Heat Wave Without Air-Conditioning
- 6 Tips if You Need Healthcare When Traveling
- 5 Ways to Recognize a Heat-Related Illness
Medications & Supplements
- Aspirin vs. Aleve (Naproxen)
- sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium lactate and calcium (Lactated Ringer's Solution)
- Aspirin vs. warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
- Who Is A Candidate for Thrombolytic Therapy?
- Plavix (clopidogrel) vs. Effient (prasurgrel)
- Side Effects of Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
- aspirin
- Side Effects of Ticlid (ticlopidine)
Prevention & Wellness
- More Balmy Summer Nights, Higher Heart Death Rate in Men
- Heat Waves Tied to Climate Change Are Upping U.S. Heart Deaths
- U.S. Wildfires: Much Bigger, More Frequent Now
- Poor Will Be Hit Hardest by a Hotter World
- Climate Change Means U.S. A/C Demands Will Overwhelm Electrical Supply: Study
- City Living Is Hotter With Urban 'Heat Penalty'
- Hot Days Can Send Even Younger Folks to the ER
- 'Extreme Heat' Days Have Tripled Since 1980s, and More Are Coming
- Kids in Marching Bands Under Threat From Heat Illness
- The Heat Is On: Staying Safe When Temperatures Soar
- Pregnant Women Need to Take Care in Sweltering Summer Heat
- Climate Change Already Causes 5 Million Extra Deaths Per Year
- Soaring Temperatures Bring Heat Stroke Dangers
- How Much Do Trees Lower Urban Temperatures?
- Global Warming to Blame for 1 in 3 Heat-Related Deaths Worldwide
- Heat Waves Topping 132 Degrees F Likely in Middle East Without Action on Climate Change
- One Reason It's Hotter in Poorer Neighborhoods: Fewer Trees
- Global Warming Could Make Survival in Tropics Impossible: Study
- Best Ways to Beat the Heat
- Will a Heat 'Health Crisis' Hit Your City?
- Expert Tips to Help You Beat the Heat
- Heat Kills More Americans Than Previously Thought
- Should You Send Your Kid to Summer Camp? Expert Offers Advice
- Masks and Summer Heat: Not a Great Mix, But Experts Have Tips
- Fewer Hot Car Deaths for Kids Due to Pandemic: Experts
- Planet Already Seeing Temperatures Beyond Human Tolerability
- Dangerously Hot Days for U.S. Farm Workers Could Double by 2050
- Broiling in a Heat Wave? Wet T-shirt Can Safely Cool You Down
- Extreme Heat of Climate Change Could Triple Heart-Related Deaths
- High Heat, Humidity Could Affect More Than 1.2 Billion People by End of Century
- Climate Change Will Hurt Kids Most, Report Warns
- By Mid-Century, Heat Waves Could Cover Far Bigger Areas
- Kids in Hot Cars: How to Prevent Heatstroke Deaths
- For Muslim Pilgrimage, Climate Change Poses Health Risks
- Climate Change Raises Athletes' Risk of Heat Illness
- How to Protect a Loved One With Dementia During a Heat Wave
- August Is Deadliest Month for Young Football Players
- Heat Waves Brought by Climate Change Could Prove Deadly for Kidney Patients
- In Heat Waves, Fans May Do More Harm Than Good
- Scorching Pavement Sends Some to the ER With Burns
- Twins' Deaths in Hot Car Highlight a Preventable Tragedy
- AHA News: Exercise Caution Outdoors in the Summer Heat
- Drug Experimentation and Summer a Dangerous Duo
- Health Tip: Signs of Heat Stroke
- As Heat Bakes the Nation, Expert Offers Tips to Stay Safe
- Health Tip: Recognizing Heat Exhaustion
- Health Tip: Working in Extreme Heat
- Sour Note: Marching Band Members at Risk When Temperatures Soar
- More Back-to-Back Heat Waves Will Come With Climate Change
- Hot-Car Deaths Hit Record High in 2018
- Climate Change Ups Heat Deaths, Especially Among Elderly: Report
- As Earth Warms, Heat-Related Deaths Will Multiply
- Forecast Sees Abnormal Heat Worldwide Through 2022
- Climate Change Means More Deadly Heat Waves: Study
- It's Hot Outside: How to Stay Safe When Thermometers Rise
- Health Tip: Treating Heat-Related Illness
- Heat Waves Can Dull Even Young Minds, Study Says
- A-C-T to Prevent Hot Car Tragedies
- As Temperatures Soar, Study Warns of Fatal Heat Stroke at Work
- Beat the Heat on Your Summer Vacation
- Hot Cars, Drowning: Keep Your Family Safe This Summer
- Look Before Locking: Protect Your Child From a Hot Car Tragedy
- Health Tip: Learn Warning Signs of Heat Stroke
- Health Tips for Summer Fun
- Climate Change Will Bring Hotter Summers to U.S.
- Do Heat Waves Shave Dollars Off a Baby's Future Earnings?
- Despite Warnings, Kids Are Still Dying in Hot Cars
- Heat Deaths in U.S. Cities Could Jump 10-fold If Climate Change Isn't Slowed
- Expect More Record-Breaking Heat in U.S., Scientists Warn
- Water: Can It Be Too Much of a Good Thing?
- First Days of Preseason Practice Pose Big Heat Risks for College Football Players
- Child Dies in Hot Car Almost Once a Week
- Heat Waves Hit Seniors Hardest
- Sickle Cell Trait Not Linked to Early Death in Study
- 'Heat Dome' Heats Up United States
- How to Spot the Warning Signs of Heat Stroke
- Heat Waves Pose Big Health Threats
- 3,300 Heat Deaths a Year Projected for NYC by 2080
- Guidelines Stop Heat Stroke Deaths in High School Athletes
- Doctors Issue Call to Combat Climate Change
- Searing Heat, High Humidity a Threat to Your Health
- Health Tip: Spot the Signs of Heat Stroke
- Hot Weather Safety Essential for Elderly
- U.S. Kids Not Drinking Enough Water Each Day
- Heat Stroke, Kidney Failure Help Drive Illnesses From Extreme Heat
- Health Woes to Worsen Due to Climate Change, Study Warns
- Hot Cars Can Quickly Prove Deadly for Kids
- Extreme Weather Kills 2,000 in U.S. Each Year: CDC
- Heat Stroke a Greater Threat to Endurance Runners Than Heart Problems: Study
- If You Can't Stand the Heat . . .
- For Heat Stroke Victims, Cool First, Then Transport
- Protect Your Kids From the Heat
- For Safety's Sake, Don't Leave Kids in Cars
- Health Tip: Risk Factors for Heat Illness
- Health Tip: Children Are Vulnerable in the Heat
- End of Heat Wave on the Horizon
- Canadian Cold Front to Bring Relief From Heat Wave by Weekend
- Experts Urge Caution As Heat, Humidity Blanket Much of U.S.
- Heed the Heat During Summer Workouts
- Blistering Heat Sears Western U.S.
- Hundreds Die From Extreme Heat Each Summer, CDC Warns
- Health Tip: Don't Leave Kids in the Car Alone
- Expert Tips for Summer Sports Safety
- Health Tip: Protect Your Child in Extreme Heat
- Health Tip: Heed the Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion
- Health Tip: Keep Cool in Extreme Heat
- Electric Fans May Be Risky in Extreme Heat
- It's Not So Much the Heat, It's the Lack of Power
- Maintain Heart Health During Summer
- Greater L.A. Heating Up, Climate Experts Predict
- As Heat Builds, Take Steps to Protect Yourself
- Health Highlights: April 9, 2012
- Summer Temperature Swings May Harm Elderly
- Heat-Related Deaths on Rise for High School Football Players
- Avoid Getting Scorched by 'Hot Yoga'
- Extreme Weather Affects Indoor Air Quality
- Do You Know When NOT to Call 911?
- High School Athletes Hit Hard by the Heat
- Athletes Need to Protect Against Heat Stroke: Expert
- Health Tip: Heat Stroke? Get Help!
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