Page 128 - Participant Manual

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps (painful muscle spasms,
usually in the legs and abdomen, caused
by loss of fluids and electrolytes as a result
of sweating) are often the first sign that
the body is having trouble with the heat. If
appropriate care measures are not taken,
heat cramps can turn into heat exhaustion or
heat stroke. To care for heat cramps, help the
person move to a cool place to rest, and have
him or her sip a drink containing electrolytes
and carbohydrates (such as a commercial
sports drink, coconut water or milk). If a drink
containing electrolytes and carbohydrates
is not available, have the person drink
water. Lightly stretch the muscle and gently
massage the area to relieve the cramps.
When the cramps stop, the person usually
can resume his or her activity as long as there
are no other signs or symptoms of illness.
Encourage the person to keep drinking plenty
of fluids, and watch the person carefully for
additional signs or symptoms of heat-related illness.

Myth-Information. Myth: When a person has heat cramps, you should give the person salt tablets
to replenish lost sodium. Salt tablets are not an effective treatment for heat cramps. Consuming
a concentrated form of salt can promote loss of fluid from the body, which will make the person’s
condition worse, not better.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when fluids lost
through sweating are not replaced. The
body’s primary mechanism of cooling itself is
through sweating. As sweat evaporates from
the body, it takes body heat with it, cooling
the body. If a person does not take in enough
fluids, the body does not have what it needs
to make adequate amounts of sweat. Humid
environments and environments without good
air circulation can make it difficult for the
sweat to evaporate. Under these conditions,
a person may develop heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is often accompanied
by dehydration, as the body’s excessive
production of sweat in an attempt to cool
itself depletes fluid levels in the body. © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

Signs and Symptoms of
Heat Exhaustion

The person’s skin will be cool and moist, and pale, ashen (gray) or flushed. The person may complain of a
headache, nausea, dizziness and weakness.

Chapter 7 Environmental Injuries and Illnesses | 120 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual Chapter 7 Environmental Injuries and Illnesses | 121 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual