heat cramp

cramp

 [kramp]

a painful spasmodic muscular contraction.

heat cramp spasm accompanied by pain, weak pulse, and dilated pupils; seen in workers in intense heat.

recumbency c's cramping in the muscles of the lower limbs and feet occurring while resting or during light sleep.

writers' cramp a muscle cramp in the hand caused by excessive use in writing.

heat cramp

Etymology: AS, haetu + crammian, to fill

any cramp or painful spasm of the voluntary muscles in the arm, leg, or abdomen caused by depletion in the body of both water and salt. It usually occurs after vigorous physical exertion in an extremely hot environment or under other conditions that cause profuse sweating and depletion of body fluids and electrolytes. The victim should be moved to a cooler place and given salt-containing fluids. Also called cane-cutter's cramp, fireman's cramp, miner's cramp, stoker's cramp. See also heat exhaustion.

heat cramp

Skeletal muscle spasm caused by the excess fluid and/or electrolyte loss that occurs with profuse sweating. The usual muscles affected are those used during work, i.e., the hand, arm, or leg muscles. The cramps may come on during work or up to 18 hr after completing a work shift.

Treatment

The patient should be rehydrated by drinking cool water or an electrolyte-containing drink, such as diluted juice or a commercially marketed sports drink. The severity of the cramp can be decreased through passive stretching and/or massage of the muscle. Severe heat cramps may require the use of an intravenous electrolyte solution, such as normal saline or Ringer's solution.

Prevention

Heat cramps may be prevented by maintaining proper hydration by drinking water or commercial electrolyte drinks before and during exposure to hot, humid environments. Normal dietary amounts of electrolytes and salt should be encouraged during meals.

See also: cramp

cramp

a painful spasmodic muscular contraction.

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Greyhound cramp

muscle spasms, particularly in the hindlegs, usually in unfit dogs, with excessive excitement, or high environmental temperatures.

heat cramp

a form of equine colic after vigorous exercise with heavy sweating. Caused by electrolyte loss. Signs include muscle tremor and rigidity.

raptor cramp

hypocalcemic, tetanic convulsions in raptor birds caused by a dietary deficiency of calcium.

Scottie cramp, Scotch cramp

an inherited defect in Scottish terriers that occurs as hyperkinetic episodes from an early age, but may only be precipitated by exercise or excitement. Some dogs show the disorder only infrequently during their otherwise normal lives. Affected dogs become stiff with hyperextension of the limbs which may prevent walking or cause brief cessation of respiratory movements. Caused by a deficiency of serotonin.