Signs and Symptoms
Heat cramps often present as muscle cramps (eg, in the legs, arms, abdomen, or back), heavy perspiration, and weakness/lightheadedness. The cramps are often more painful and last longer than the type of leg cramps that occur during the night.
You can differentiate the least-severe form of heat illness, heat cramps, from more-severe forms by comparing the person's symptoms described above to the following:
- Heat exhaustion – Feelings of nausea, light-headedness, or thirst, and the person may act irrationally, have dilated pupils (pupils are larger than normal), be very sweaty, or have cool and moist skin that is either reddened or pale.
- Heatstroke includes some or all of the following symptoms:
- A high body temperature (above 102° F)
- Skin that is red and hot with lack of sweating (sweating that has stopped)
- Small pupils
- A rapid, weak pulse
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Extreme confusion or irritability
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
Who's At Risk
