Treatment & Prevention Guide for HEAT CRAMPS
Heat cramps are painful spasms of the muscles after hard physical exertion in a hot environment. They occur most often in men who have been sweating heavily and drinking large amounts of unsalted fluids. Heat cramps are the result of relatively lowered quantities of salt in the muscles and body fluids.
Heat cramps occur especially in men who are in excellent physical condition and who are highly acclimatized. These individuals can produce sweat in large quantities in response to hard work. A lack or loss of acclimatization may be present, though.
Heat cramps vary considerably from one individual to another. A few unfortunates (generally fewer than 1 percent) suffer from severe, incapacitating heat cramps and may require hospitalization. One common circumstance is that these cramps are almost invariably preceded by several' hours of exertion; thus they normally occur later in the day.
During a cramp, the involved muscle contracts into a hard, stony knot. Pain may be excruciating. The muscles are affected at random, but those of the arms, abdomen and back are most commonly involved. The muscles of the fingers are often affected. Most spasms subside spontaneously in less than one minute, but some persist for two to three minutes. Episodes of heat cramps subside completely with rest or after the ingestion of salted food or fluids. They usually do not recur the following day. Heat cramps are not associated with other symptoms.
Treatment for Heat Cramps:
Treatment of heat cramps requires salted food and fluids, and bed rest for twenty-four hours after the cramps have ceased. The affected muscles are stiff and sore the following day, and exercise may have to be curtailed for another day or two. Severe heat cramps may require medical care, including the administration of salt solutions intravenously.
Heat Cramps Prevention Tips:
Two methods have been used to prevent heat cramps. The first and more rational is an increase in salt consumption. This increase in salt intake does not have to be large; an extra two or three grams of salt per day is enough for most individuals. Those who have severe heat cramps may need five grams or more of extra salt daily.
The other method of prevention is limiting the intake of unsalted fluids during the period of exertion. This, of course, adds the risk of water depletion which may itself be harmful.
Heat cramps occur especially in men who are in excellent physical condition and who are highly acclimatized. These individuals can produce sweat in large quantities in response to hard work. A lack or loss of acclimatization may be present, though.
Heat cramps vary considerably from one individual to another. A few unfortunates (generally fewer than 1 percent) suffer from severe, incapacitating heat cramps and may require hospitalization. One common circumstance is that these cramps are almost invariably preceded by several' hours of exertion; thus they normally occur later in the day.
During a cramp, the involved muscle contracts into a hard, stony knot. Pain may be excruciating. The muscles are affected at random, but those of the arms, abdomen and back are most commonly involved. The muscles of the fingers are often affected. Most spasms subside spontaneously in less than one minute, but some persist for two to three minutes. Episodes of heat cramps subside completely with rest or after the ingestion of salted food or fluids. They usually do not recur the following day. Heat cramps are not associated with other symptoms.
Treatment for Heat Cramps:
Treatment of heat cramps requires salted food and fluids, and bed rest for twenty-four hours after the cramps have ceased. The affected muscles are stiff and sore the following day, and exercise may have to be curtailed for another day or two. Severe heat cramps may require medical care, including the administration of salt solutions intravenously.
Heat Cramps Prevention Tips:
Two methods have been used to prevent heat cramps. The first and more rational is an increase in salt consumption. This increase in salt intake does not have to be large; an extra two or three grams of salt per day is enough for most individuals. Those who have severe heat cramps may need five grams or more of extra salt daily.
The other method of prevention is limiting the intake of unsalted fluids during the period of exertion. This, of course, adds the risk of water depletion which may itself be harmful.
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