Prevention and management of hyperthermia during a heatwave.

Many older people in the UK are at risk of developing and dying from heat-related illnesses during a heatwave. The aims of this article are to define the term heatwave and identify the normal thermoregulatory responses to hot weather. The effects of the ageing process on thermoregulatory responses are discussed and the presenting symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke are outlined. Finally, the treatment of heat-related illnesses and their prevention are explained.