Soojusstressi

Soojusstressi is a term used to describe the physiological and psychological strain caused by exposure to elevated ambient temperatures. It is not a formal medical diagnosis, but a conceptual label found in public health discussions about heat risk. The word combines elements meaning heat (soojus) and stress (stressi), and is used primarily in Nordic-language contexts.

In practice, soojusstressi encompasses a range of responses from mild discomfort to conditions requiring medical attention. In research and policy writing, it is used as an umbrella term to discuss how heat, humidity, ventilation, and workloads interact to affect thermoregulation, mood, and cognitive performance.

Causes are sustained or intense heat exposure, often with high humidity, inadequate hydration, strenuous activity, and limited cooling. Risk factors include older age, chronic illness, dehydration, and outdoor or indoor heat exposure. Symptoms can include thirst, fatigue, headache, dizziness, irritability, and reduced concentration; severe cases may involve confusion or heat-related illness.

Prevention and management emphasize cooling and hydration. Practical measures include access to shaded or air-conditioned spaces, ventilation, cooling devices, rest breaks, and hydration strategies. In workplaces and schools, heat monitoring and acclimatization protocols help reduce risk.

Status in literature: soojusstressi is an emerging or locally used term rather than a widely adopted clinical category. It is often used alongside established terms such as heat illness and occupational heat exposure, reflecting growing attention to how elevated temperatures affect health in a warming climate.