Heat cramps

Heat cramps

Heat cramps are a form of heat injury. Heat cramps are associated with cramping in the abdomen, arms and calves. This can be caused by inadequate consumption of fluids or electrolytes. [Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:240-316.] Frequently, they don't occur until sometime later, especially at night or when relaxing. Heavy sweating causes heat cramps, especially when the water is replaced, but not salt or potassium.

Although heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually don't result in permanent damage. In order to prevent them, drink electrolyte solutions such as Sports drinks during the day and try eating more fruits like bananas.

ee also

*Dehydration
*Heat exhaustion
*Heat stroke

References

External links

* [http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/first-aid-heat-cramps/FA00021/METHOD=print Heat cramps first aid]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Heat cramps — Painful muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs following strenuous activity. The skin is usually moist and cool and the pulse is normal or slightly raised. Body temperature is mostly normal. Heat cramps often are caused by a lack of salt in… …   Medical dictionary

  • heat cramps — noun plural Date: 1938 a condition that is marked by sudden development of cramps in skeletal muscles and that results from prolonged work or exercise in high temperatures accompanied by profuse perspiration with loss of sodium chloride from the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • heat cramps — noun plural : a condition marked by the sudden development of cramps in skeletal muscles resulting from prolonged work in high temperatures accompanied by profuse perspiration with loss of sodium chloride from the body …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cramps, heat — Painful muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs following strenuous activity. The skin is usually moist and cool and the pulse is normal or slightly raised. Body temperature is mostly normal. Heat cramps often are caused by a lack of salt in… …   Medical dictionary

  • Heat wave — A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. There is no universal definition of a heat wave;cite journal |last=Meehl |first=George A. |coauthors=Tebaldi, Claudia |title=More Intense,… …   Wikipedia

  • Heat illness — Calenture redirects here. For the album by The Triffids, see Calenture (album). Heatstroke and Heatstrokes redirect here. For the film, see Heatstroke (film). For the song by Krokus, see Metal Rendez vous. Sunstroke redirects here. For other uses …   Wikipedia

  • Heat-related illness — A person with symptoms including headache, nausea, and fatigue after exposure to heat probably has some measure of a heat related illness. It is important to recognize the difference between the very serious condition known as heat stroke and… …   Medical dictionary

  • heat stress — the complications seen when persons undergo muscular exertion in conditions of excessive heat, such as when sweating does not cool off the body enough, or when heavy sweating depletes the body s supply of fluids and electrolytes. It may lead to… …   Medical dictionary

  • Heat exhaustion — A warning that the body is getting too hot. The person may be thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous, and sweating profusely. The body temperature is usually normal and the pulse is normal or raised. The skin is cold and clammy. Although… …   Medical dictionary

  • Heat stroke — A core body temperature that rises above 104°F (40°C) accompanied by hot, dry skin and central nervous system abnormalities such as delirium, convulsions, or coma. Heat stroke that results from exposure to a high environmental temperature is… …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”