Articles
Heat Cramps Taking Over Your Summer Break
by Rudra S. Consultant Just thinking about the June heat is enough to make anyone break out into sweat. What feels intolerable to us sitting in the cool comfort of our homes and offices is worse for those who work in the open under the scorching sun, all the day. Be it working outdoors or relaxing indoors, the summer heat is bound to find its way to us. All of us become prone to heat cramps which leads to other heat-related diseases. While one can’t stop working when the temperature rises, we’ve got you covered on how to beat the heat.What are heat cramps?
Heat cramps are brief painful muscle cramps caused by dehydration and electrolyte loss.
When people work or carry out strenuous activities in hot/humid weather, they are more prone to these involuntary spasms, especially during the first few days. Heat cramps can also occur a few hours after the activity has been completed. Muscles fatigued by heavy work are most susceptible to experiencing these cramps, particularly the leg muscles, core muscles, and arm muscles.
What causes heat cramps?
Dehydration
Body fluids are essential to our body as they help regulate the body temperature, and transport nutrients throughout the body. The significant loss of these body fluids is what results in dehydration. The major causes that lead to dehydration are excessive sweating, not drinking enough fluid, strenuous activity in the heat, high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Electrolyte loss
Electrolytes that are involved in the chemical reactions in muscles include various essential minerals, the most important being sodium. Drinking fluids with inadequate salt content often fail to make up for the electrolyte loss caused by excessive sweating, resulting in heat cramps.
Does age play a role when it comes to heat cramps?
Looking at people most prone to heat cramps based on working/living conditions, we see construction workers, city dwellers, and people without adequate shelter and water. But that’s not all - age also plays a major role in picking out the at-risk population as well. Babies, children, adolescents, and the aged are less efficient when it comes to temperature regulation. These age groups also tend to sweat less and produce more body heat, which diminishes the body’s ability to cool down. This makes them more susceptible to dehydration and heat cramps.
Evading the scorching summer sun unfortunately doesn’t protect you from heat cramps. You are prone to become severely overheated and dehydrated, be it outdoors or indoors. As simple as sitting quietly in a very hot room with poor air circulation can cause the body's internal temperature to spike to dangerous levels.
Heat cramps are more likely to occur in hot temperatures, but that doesn’t mean they won’t happen when it’s cold. People often wear layered clothing outside when they exercise or engage in other physical activities in winter. This often reduces the evaporation of sweat making it difficult for the skin to cool down, eventually leading to heat cramps.
How can you identify a heat cramp?
Heat cramps are the initial symptom of the spectrum of heat diseases including heatstroke. However, several pointers can help identify a heat cramp in time and necessary steps can be taken to recover from the same.Common identifiers for heat cramps in adults are involuntary muscle spasms, excessive sweating, thirst, dry mouth and tongue, headache, dark urine and, cramps in arms, legs, or abdominal muscles. Common identifiers in infants and children are no tears while crying, no wet diaper for 3 hours, fontanelle, and sunken eyes and cheeks.
Several simple remedies can help relieve your heat cramps from the comfort of your home.
With 5X penetration technology and zero burns & odor, Dynapar QPS pain relief spray is India’s most advanced pain management solution that offers instant relief from pain caused by heat cramps.
Rest in a cool place with good air circulation. Using a cool compress can help cool down your body significantly. Ensure you’re not wearing heavily layered clothing. Do not resume strenuous activities after the pain ceases.
Hydrate to replace fluids and electrolytes in your body. Cool water, clear juices and sports drinks – all serve the purpose well. Continue to hydrate after the pain ceases.
Slowly massage and stretch out cramped muscles gently. Engage in a range of motion exercises that gently stretch out the affected muscles.
Should you seek medical care?
If you continue to exhibit extreme symptoms despite the home remedies, it is advisable to seek medical attention. Heat exhaustion, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, palpitations, shortness of breath, and high fever are all conditions that point towards immediate medical care.
Sponsor Ads
About Rudra S. 
Consultant
21 connections, 0 recommendations, 59 honor points.Joined APSense since, January 6th, 2020, From Delhi, India.
Created on Jun 10th 2022 04:07. Viewed 206 times.
Comments
No comment, be the first to comment.
