HEAT CRAMPS

HEAT CRAMPS

Heat cramps are painful, intermittent, involuntary spasm of muscles in an individual who is physically active during exercises in humid and hot weather. The spasms are extreme, which sometimes lead to electrolyte and fluid loss.

Heat cramps affect the significant and stressed muscles: thigh, legs, core muscles, and arm muscles. However, the exact cause of heat cramps is still not clear. 

SYMPTOMS 

You may have muscle spasms that are:

  • Painful
  • Unconditioned
  • Brief
  • Intermittent

Additionally, muscle spasms may cause the urine to become darker and yellow with a pungent smell.

This condition normally goes away eventually. But if these symptoms continue to persist, seek medical attention.

DIAGNOSIS

Heat cramps are painful. Consult your doctor if the following conditions develop:

  • Incapability of drinking adequate fluids because of constant vomiting,
  • Heat exhaustion, and
  • Severe heat sickness symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, or high temperature.

The diagnosis for heat cramps is made after checking your background to see the kind of environment you are in. Also, your doctor may ask the following questions:

  • How hot and humid was it?
  • Was there sufficient air circulation?
  • How long was the activity?
  • When did the cramps start, and the muscles involved?
  • Did the person drink enough water?

Afterward, the doctor will conduct a physical examination to look for signs of dehydration like:

  • Dry mouth
  • Dry tongue
  • Lack of sweat in the groin and armpit
  • A small amount of urine output

Vital signs such as low blood pressure and rapid heart rate are used to find more results.

TREATMENT 

The doctor will look for a more severe heat illness. If he/she suspects extreme heat illness, he will recommend an IV fluid rehydration.

Home Remedies 

In some cases, heat cramps go away on their own. For home remedies, you can try staying in a cool place and drink cold water or sports drinks that have electrolytes and salt. Also, you can make a salt solution by dissolving 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon table salt in water.

Preventing Heat Cramps

In the first few days working in a hot environment, you will experience cramps. Make sure you have sufficient fluid replacement to avoid developing such pain.

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