Home: Heat Cramps
Heat Cramps: First Aid
In our body the thermoregulatory mechanisms work effectively to maintain the optimum temperature suitable to the chemical reactions occurring in our body.
If the temperature becomes too high or too low, the efficacy of these bio chemical processes is disturbed; moreover the body cannot tolerate the excessive heat or cold. So whenever the body gets exposed to too much of the heat, it may suffer from any of the heat emergencies like the heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The heat cramps are the least serious of all the three. Heat cramps are the involuntary and painful muscular spasms usually occurring due to heavy exercises, prolonged exposure to heat, in the hot environment i.e. excessive heat.
Heat cramps are thought to occur because of the deficiency of the fluids and electrolytes, particularly water and sodium.
The heat cramps are intense in nature, severely painful involving the calf muscles, arms thighs and the back muscles. Doing heavy exercise in the hot environment for long period may lead to excessive perspiration which washes out the water and salts from the body. This may cause the heat cramps.
Heat cramps if left untreated may progress to heat exhaustion which is then a serious one.
The person experiencing the heat cramps may present with the signs and symptoms of excessive sweating, severe painful muscle cramps, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, fainting or dizziness.
First aid management for the heat cramps:
Remove the person from the heat source or the hot and humid environment; take the person to a cool and calm ventilated place.
Allow the person to have brief rest period and cool down.
Salt added water can be provided to the person.
The muscle spasms may cause discomfort to the person, so gently stretch the muscles and massage the affected area to make him feel at ease.
Meanwhile provide some cool water, some sports drinks and clear juice. This will help in rehydrating the person.
Application of moist towels over the affected area may provide a sort of relief from the muscle spasms.
If the above measures fail and the muscle cramps persists for one hour or more it is better to consult a doctor.
Disclaimer
This site provides you with the general guidelines and information regarding the first aid measures for the various conditions or health related problems. It is not a substitute for the medical advice or the formal first aid training. It will not be responsible or liable in case one tries to make diagnosis based on the provided information. You always need to consult the doctor and emergency department in case of all the serious emergencies rather than just relying upon the supposed guidelines.
