Why could someone not handle the heat?

[bdog]

We have an 8 man crew and work outside. I have a guy that has worked with me nearly ten years. He is about 30 years old and looking at him he appears to be in the best physical shape of anyone on our crew. Not overweight at all and muscular. I have worked side by side with him over the years many times doing strenuous work in 110 degree heat. Never seemed to phase him in the past.

It seems over the last couple years he can take the heat less and less. It has got really bad lately. Temps are 90-95 degrees and he is unable to do anything. He is drinking plenty of water and works like an ox all morning but about noon when it starts getting warm he becomes more or less useless. Right now we are not even doing work that could be remotely considered strenuous he can't even stand around in the heat and I would not even really call it heat. Around here it isn't hot unless it is over 100. Today I was comfortable and did not even drink a lot of water or think it was hot and he looked like he was about to pass out.

I know this guy well enough to know he is not lazy or trying to dodge work so I was just wondering what might be wrong with someone that would cause this?

He plans to visit a doctor when we get home but we are on the road on a job and won't be back for a week or so.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Heart..

 

[creekbend]

Perhaps Diabetes? Just a thought.

 

[CanuckPT]

? Thyroid

 

[Stihlrunner]

I was in my mid 20's when I suffered heat stroke fighting a structure fire during a heat wave. Since then, I have become more and more susceptible to heat exhaustion. It may have only taken a few times of overdoing it in the heat, not enough hydration, etc. to take a toll on his body.

Also he might be on some medication that makes him more susceptible to the heat.

 

[slow wrench]

When i work out in the heat my 54 yr old body needs all the help it can get.Avoid a big lunch,it makes your heart work harder digesting food.You should also pay attention to your breathing,labored breathing is the first sign that your blood is getting to hot.I carry ice packs in the cooler,take 5 and hold a ice pack on your juggler vein,paramedics do this for heat stroke victums.I have a fence job coming up,and it will probably be mid 90s. No lunch,lots of short breaks and light snacks.

 

[Baby Grand]

Salt? The foreman used to hand out salt tablets to everyone on really hot days when I worked at a lumber yard about a million years ago.

 

[Tig]

? Thyroid

That's what had me out of gas last summer. Under control now so we'll see how it plays out.
Get this guy to a doctor, something's not right.

 

[Western]

I have been the same way since I was a kid, even used to put my comforter in moms deep freeze before bed, thats gospel. At 17, I passed out at my after school job while on a riding mower, thankfully I worked in maintenance at a hospital. I can tolerate some heat, but not by choice.

I have been tested for everything except if I have oil in my blood:laughing:

It could be anything from a auto immune disease, heart issues, high blood pressure, even some brain tumors near the hypothalamus. Or he could be like me and just be "heat sensitive". Thyroid disease, usually will make you lethargic no matter what the temps, but lab test will probably test those levels too.

I agree, he needs to see a doctor as mentioned, maybe a specialist will be ordered too. That way they can start ruling things in or out. For me it is a way of life, I work nights and have since college. More manageable now since I have dealt with it all my life.

 

[sea2summit]

Also he might be on some medication that makes him more susceptible to the heat.

This was my first thought, don't know anything about him but many legal or non-legal medications would have that side affect. Also energy drinks in excess would have that affect.