Dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms and what to do

Record high temperatures mean you can get caught off guard by heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, over 9,000 high school athletes are treated for heat illnesses each year.

Many medications and underlying medical illnesses, such as diabetes, also can increase the risk for heat illnesses.

One of the most common heat illnesses is dehydration. This occurs when the amount of fluid the body loses, usually due to sweating, is greater than the amount taken in. If not treated right away, your body stops working normally.

How to Treat Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are muscle cramps or spasms that hit you hard when you have been exercising or working in a hot environment, such as outside in the high heat of summer. The difference between muscle cramps and heat cramps is that heat cramps occur due to sodium deficits from profuse sweating (but not, in fact, from the heat). The cause of such pain is usually from a failure to maintain proper hydration to counter sweating and, as a result, the electrolyte content in your body drops too far (hyponatremia). The targets are usually the calves, thighs, and abs (although heat cramps can potentially affect any muscle). Rest assured, you can treat most heat cramps with relatively little effort.

Heat Exhaustion Or Heat Stroke?

As summer temperatures begin to rise, taking steps to protect yourself from heat illnesses is essential.

Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and cramps happen when your body can’t keep itself cool. As the temperature rises, your body produces sweat to stay cool. On hot, humid days, the increased moisture in the air slows down this process.