Heat cramps
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps (/hi:t kræmps/) are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. The exact cause of heat cramps is unknown, but it's thought to be related to a depletion of salts in the body due to excessive sweating.
Etymology
The term "heat cramps" is derived from the English words "heat", referring to high temperature, and "cramp", a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction.
Symptoms
Symptoms of heat cramps include:
- Muscle cramps: These are the main symptom of heat cramps. They can be very painful and occur suddenly during or after exercise.
- Sweating: Excessive sweating is common during heavy exercise, especially in hot environments. This can lead to dehydration, which is thought to contribute to heat cramps.
- Thirst: Dehydration can also cause a strong feeling of thirst.
Causes
The exact cause of heat cramps is unknown, but they're thought to be related to a depletion of salts in the body due to excessive sweating. Other factors that may contribute to heat cramps include:
- Dehydration: This can occur if you don't drink enough fluids while exercising, especially in hot weather.
- Electrolyte imbalance: This can occur if the balance of salts in your body is disrupted, which can happen if you sweat a lot.
Treatment
Treatment for heat cramps usually involves:
- Rest: This can help to relieve the symptoms of heat cramps.
- Rehydration: Drinking fluids can help to replace the water and salts lost through sweating.
- Cooling down: This can help to reduce your body temperature and prevent further heat cramps.
Prevention
Prevention of heat cramps can involve:
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise can help to prevent dehydration and heat cramps.
- Acclimatization: Gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your workouts can help your body to adapt to exercising in hot weather.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heat cramps
- Wikipedia's article - Heat cramps
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