What should you know about heat exhaustion muscle cramps?

Cramps often affect muscles being used, such as the legs, arms or abdomen. They may occur with heavy sweating, thirst, weakness, headache or dizziness. A cramp can be caused by more than heat, so do not assume it explains severe or unusual symptoms. Dark urine, marked weakness or worsening discomfort can point to more significant dehydration or another heat-related problem.

Stop exercising or working and move somewhere cool. Gently stretch and massage the cramped muscle without forcing it. Sip a rehydration drink if you are alert and not vomiting; avoid gulping large amounts at once. Cool the body, rest and do not resume strenuous activity while cramping or other heat symptoms continue. A clinician can advise on fluids if you have kidney, heart or blood-pressure conditions.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, or symptoms that rapidly worsen. Medical review is also sensible when cramps keep returning, last despite rest and cooling, or occur with very dark urine. Heatstroke is an emergency and may not look like an ordinary cramp.

Ask what rehydration approach suits you, whether medicines contribute to cramping, how to pace exertion, and what symptoms should stop you from returning to heat.