What serious condition can result from severe overheating of the body's core?

Heat stroke is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's core temperature rises to dangerous levels, typically above 104°F (40°C). It is the result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures or strenuous physical activity in hot weather, which overwhelms the body's ability to regulate its temperature. Symptoms can include a high body temperature, altered mental state or confusion, hot and dry skin (due to a failure of the body's sweating mechanism), rapid pulse, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.

Unlike heat exhaustion, which is a less severe form of heat-related illness characterized by symptoms like heavy sweating, weakness, and paleness, heat stroke represents a critical stage that requires immediate medical attention. If not treated promptly, heat stroke can lead to serious complications, including organ failure, brain damage, or death.

Conditions such as heat rash and hypothermia are not related to overheating; heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, and hypothermia is a life-threatening condition resulting from a drop in body temperature, often due to prolonged exposure to cold environments. Therefore, heat stroke stands out as the serious condition directly related to severe overheating of the body's core.