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February 8, 2012
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Heat Cramps

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Heat Cramps Overview

Heat cramps are painful, brief muscle cramps that occur during exercise or work in a hot environment. Muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Cramping may also be delayed and occur a few hours later.

Heat cramps usually involve the muscles fatigued by heavy work such as the calves, thighs, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. A person is most at risk when:

  • a person performs work or activities in a hot environment, usually during the first few days of an activity the person is not used to.

  • a person sweats a great deal during exercise and doesn't rehydrate with water or fluid replacement drinks (such as Gatorade).

Heat Cramps Causes

The exact cause of heat cramps is unknown, but it is most likely related to electrolyte deficiencies. Various essential minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, are known as electrolytes. They are important for many body functions, and an electrolyte imbalance can cause medical problems.

Sweat contains a large amount of sodium, and drinking fluids with inadequate sodium content after sweating profusely may result in a serious low-sodium condition called hyponatremia.

Those at most risk for heat cramps are:

  • Infants and young children

  • The elderly

  • Individuals who live by themselves or who cannot afford air conditioning in hot environments

  • Alcohol consumption

  • Individuals who work or exercise in a hot environment

  • Some medications can impair the body's sweat and heat regulation (for example, psychiatric drugs, tranquilizers, OTC cold medications, and antihistamines).
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Heat Cramps - Treatment

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Heat Cramps

Dehydration in Children Overview

Dehydration means that a child's body lacks enough fluid. Dehydration can result from not drinking, vomiting, diarrhea, or any combination of these conditions. Rarely, sweating too much or urinating too much can cause dehydration . Infants and small children are much more likely to become dehydrated than older children or adults, because they can lose relatively more fluid quickly.

Causes of Dehydration in Children

  • Dehydration is most often caused by a viral infection that causes fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and a decreased ability to drink or eat.

    • Common viral infections causing vomiting and diarrhea include rotavirus, Norwalk virus, and adenovirus.

    • Sometimes sores in a child's mouth (caused by a virus) make it painful to eat or drink, which helps to cause or worsen d...


Read the Dehydration in Children article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Heatstroke »

Heat illness may be viewed as a continuum of illnesses relating to the body's inability to cope with heat.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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