hyperthermia

Definition

A dangerous condition characterized by an abnormally high body temperature that occurs when the body's heat-regulating mechanisms are overwhelmed by environmental conditions.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'hyper-' (over, beyond) and 'therme' (heat), combined with the medical suffix '-ia'. It entered English in the late 19th century as a clinical term for excessive elevation of body temperature.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the serious health risk faced by individuals exposed to extreme environmental heat, noting how factors like high humidity and metabolic strain increase the likelihood of this state.

The science of climate heat risks has a metric problem

Nature

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