Heat Cramp

HEAT CRAMP
Introduction
Heat cramps may occur alone or simultaneously With other
heat-related illnesses.
•Heat cramp is the least serious heat emergency.
•Heat cramps result from disturbances to salt,Calcium,
electrolytes, or fluid levels. Muscles tend to cramp but not
relax.
Definition:-
Heat cramps are painful Muscle Spasms
caused by sweating while performing
Hard physical labor in a hot
environment.
CAUSES:-
► Sodium and/or chloride depletion
► Dehydration
► Impaired circulation in working
muscles
► Alterations in spinal neural reflex
activity increased by fatigue
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
*Shriveled skin
*sunken eyes
*dry mouth and tongue
* Severe pain and cramps in legs and
abdomen,
*fainting or dizziness,
*weakness,
*Profuse sweating, and headaches
Major sites:-
- Abdominals - Quadriceps
- Hamstrings -Calf
Diagnosis
• The diagnosis of heat cramps is
usually made by reviewing the
patient history and identifying the
muscle groups that are
involuntarily in spasm.
Who's at risk?
People most susceptible to heat cramps are
those who are outdoors on a hot , humid day
or those inside in a poorly ventilated area,
particularly children, the elderly , or the
obese. Children and the elderly show the
fastest progression of symptoms and can
collapse suddenly.
Those on certain medication can suffer from
heat illness, as well as medications can alter
the way the body handles heat and sun. Those
who drink alcohol before , during, or after
vigorous activity are more susceptible to heat
illness, as are people who do heavy works.
First aid Management:--
o Remove the victim from hot

environment, if possible.
o Instruct victim to rest.
o Administer sips of water or
sports drink.1/2 glass every
fifteen minutes(You can make a salted drink by adding
1 teaspoon of salt to one quart of H2O)
• Have the person rest in a shaded or cool or air-conditioned building, room or car
• Pour water over the person or spray with a hose.
• Note:-Do not do this if the person is disoriented.
• Wrap the person in wet cloth, and position a fan towards him/her. Evaporation of water
on the skin aids in cooling.
• Apply cold compress (eg:to neck, armpits, groin)
• Heat cramps usually occur during heavy activity.
Stop being active and sit quietly in a cool place.
• It is important for the person not to return to
heavy exercise for a few hours after the cramps go
away, because this might lead to heat exhaustion or
heat stroke.
• To relieve the muscle cramps, firm pressure is
placed on the muscle or the muscle are arranged
gently.
• Salt tablets by themselves should not be used. They can
cause stomach upset and don't adequately replace fluid
volume lost.
• Call your doctor if these conditions develop:If yoy are
unable to drink sufficient fluids because you have
nausea or are vomiting, you may need IV rehydration
with normal saline.
• If you have more severe symptoms of heat,illness,
including dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, headache, fast
heartbeat, shortness of breath, or a high
temperature(greater than 104 degrees), get immediate
care.
Prevention
* It is important to cut back on heavy excercise, or to

move it to the coolest time of day usually very early in the
morning.
* Staying indoors if possible also can help.The best way to
beat the heat is to stay in airconditioned room
* Consume plenty of fluids, regardless of thirst.
* During heavy excercise in hot weather, it is
important to drink atleast two or four glasses of
cool fluid each hour.
* Water is always a good drink choice. Very
cold drink can cause stomach cramps.
* Avoiding drinks containing caffeine , such as iced
teas and colas, is important because they just
cause the body to lose more fluid.
* Salt tablets should be avoided
Conclusion:-
Heat cramp, a type of heat illness are muscle spasms that result from loss of
large amount of salt and water through exercise. Heat cramps are associated
with cramping in the abdomen, arms and calves. This can be caused by
inadequate consumption of fluids or electrolytes. Inorder to prevent them,
one may drink electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks during exercise or
strenous work or eat potassium-rich foods like banana and apple. When heat
cramps occur, the affected person should avoid strenous work and exercise
for several hours to allow for recovery
THANK YOU✨

Heat Cramp

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Heat Cramp

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Heat Cramp

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

HEAT CRAMP

•Heat cramp is the least serious heat emergency.

•Heat cramps result from disturbances to salt,Calcium,

electrolytes, or fluid levels. Muscles tend to cramp but not

o Remove the victim from hot

* It is important to cut back on heavy excercise, or to

You might also like