Understanding heat intolerance symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Find information on clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (R68.82), medical coding, and healthcare guidelines related to heat intolerance. Learn about causes, risk factors, and effective management strategies for heat sensitivity. Explore resources for patients and healthcare professionals on diagnosing and treating heat intolerance.
Also known as
Other general symptoms and signs
This code captures other specified general symptoms, including heat intolerance.
Effects of heat and light
This range covers effects of heat and light, which can be related to heat intolerance.
Dehydration
Dehydration can worsen heat intolerance and is often a consequence.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is heat intolerance due to a medication?
Yes
Code adverse effect of medication (e.g., T88.7XXA). See drug coding guidelines.
No
Is it due to an underlying condition?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Difficulty tolerating heat. |
Heat exhaustion from fluid/salt loss. |
Heat stroke: life-threatening heat illness. |
Coding heat intolerance without documenting the underlying cause leads to unspecified codes and lost revenue. CDI can query for etiology.
Heat intolerance symptoms overlap with other conditions. Audits may flag heat intolerance if not properly differentiated from similar diagnoses.
Insufficient documentation of signs, symptoms, and history related to heat intolerance can lead to coding and billing errors. CDI can clarify documentation.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with heat intolerance. Symptoms include excessive sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and weakness upon exposure to elevated temperatures or during physical exertion in warm environments. Onset of symptoms is described as (acutegradualinsidious) and duration is reported as (duration). Patient reports (triggering factors, exacerbating factors, relieving factors). Past medical history includes (relevant PMH, e.g., hypothyroidism, diabetes, anemia, cardiovascular disease, medications). Family history is (positive negative) for heat intolerance. Physical examination reveals (e.g., flushed skin, tachycardia, tachypnea, orthostatic hypotension). Differential diagnosis includes dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, medication side effects, and underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, anemia, and autonomic dysfunction. Assessment: Heat intolerance likely secondary to (presumed etiology). Plan includes patient education regarding heat safety precautions, including hydration strategies, avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours, wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and recognizing early warning signs of heat illness. Laboratory studies ordered (e.g., complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, thyroid function tests) to rule out contributing medical conditions. Follow-up scheduled in (timeframe) to assess symptom improvement and review laboratory results. Patient advised to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen or signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke develop. ICD-10 code: (appropriate code based on etiology, e.g., R68.82 Other specified general symptoms and signs).