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Heat Cramps

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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Heat cramps facts

• Heat cramps are intermittent, involuntary muscle spasms that occur in an individual who is physically active in hot weather.
  
  
• Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are collectively known as heat-related illness. Heat cramps are the least serious of the three, but still can be very painful and alarming.
  
  
• Heat cramps usually affect the major muscles that are being stressed in a hot environment.
  
  
• Individuals at risk for heat cramps include those who work or are active in a hot environment.
  
  
• Individuals with impaired temperature control mechanisms, such as infants, young children, and the elderly, are also at a greater risk of heat cramps.
  
  
• Heat cramps are the earliest symptoms of a heat-related illness.
  
  
• Symptoms of heat cramps include profuse sweating with involuntary spasms of the large muscles in the body.
  
  
• Heat cramps also may be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
  
  
• The diagnosis of heat cramps is usually made by reviewing the patient history and identifying the muscle groups that are involuntarily spasming.
  
  
• Treatment of heat cramps include resting, cooling the body, hydration, and stretching the muscles that are cramping.
  
  
• Heat cramps can be prevented by avoiding exercise or work during the heat of the day, drinking plenty of fluids, and resting in cool or shaded areas when possible.

What are heat cramps?

Heat cramps are the intermittent, involuntary spasm of muscles that occur in an individual who is physically active (for example, working or exercising) in hot or humid weather. They are often associated with dehydration. Heat cramps usually affect the major muscles that are being stressed in the hot environment. Most often these are the thigh and leg (quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius), the core muscles (abdominal wall and back) and the arm muscles (biceps, triceps).

Heat cramps can also occur after the activity has been completed. For example, construction workers or roofers can develop cramps a few hours after their work shift is over.

Who is at risk for heat cramps?

While heat cramps tend affect those who are active in a hot environment, it should be noted that heat cramps are one of the symptoms associated with heat exhaustion as part of the spectrum of heat-related illness. Those individuals who have impaired temperature control mechanisms are at higher risk for developing heat-related illness. The body's most effective way of cooling itself is through sweat, and then the sweat evaporates into the environment. Those at most risk for heat cramps include:

• Infants and young children because they depend upon others to avoid the heat, dress them appropriately (avoid swaddling an infant since it prevents air movement over the skin to promote sweat evaporation) and provide enough fluid to drink
  
  
• The elderly because they may have underlying medical conditions, including heart and lung disease, and they can easily become dehydrated
  
  
• People who live by themselves or who cannot afford air conditioning are at higher risk for heat related illness
  
  
• A variety of medications can impair the body's sweat and heat regulation. Examples of drugs include medication prescribed for psychiatric conditions, including antipsychotic medications and tranquilizers. Over-the-counter cold medications and antihistamines also impair the body's temperature control mechanism.
  
  
• Alcohol consumption