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May 19, 2013
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Heat Cramps (cont.)

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When to Seek Medical Care

Heat cramps can be very painful. A person suffering from heat cramps should consider seeking medical attention if the symptoms do not go away with rest, cooling off, and after restoring fluid and electrolytes.

Heat cramps may be the early signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which are more severe forms of heat-related illnesses.

Seek medical care emergently if these conditions develop:

  • The person is unable to drink sufficient fluids because they have nausea or are vomiting. The affected individual may need IV rehydration with normal saline.
  • The person has more severe symptoms of heat-related illness, including dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, headache, malaise, shortness of breath, and fever (greater than 104 F or 40 C).

If a person has more severe forms of heat-related illness, or thinks they require IV fluids to rehydrate, seek medical care at an emergency department.

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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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