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Neil O. Anderson &Associates HASP Page 8 of 21 March 18, 2014 If the patient vomits, stop giving him fluids and transport immediately to a hospital, where he/she can receive intravenous fluids. ' There are two ways to prevent heat exhaustion. If un-acclimated, do not overexert the body. Keep persons well hydrated with liquids that can replace the electrolytes lost in sweat and have frequent rest periods in cool places. 1 CAUTION: PEOPLE WITH HEART PROBLEMS OR THOSE ON "LOW- SODIUM" DIETS WHO WORK IN HOT ENVIRONMENTS SHOULD CONSULT A PHYSICIAN ABOUT POTENTIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. ' Heat Cramps Heat cramps are muscular spasms that occur when the body loses too much salt during profuse sweating, when not enough salt is taken into the body, when calcium levels are low, and when too much water is consumed. Occasionally, heat cramps also can be caused by overexerting ' muscles, inadequate stretching or warm-up, and lactic acid buildup in poorly conditioned muscles. Heat cramps can be mild or extremely painful. When the body becomes low on salt and water, the patient interprets it as thirst. To quench the thirst, he/she consumes large ' quantities of water without replacing the salt. Heat cramps usually occur in the arms, legs, or abdomen (the major complaint may be severe abdominal pain) and are often a signal of approaching heat exhaustion. Hot weather is not necessarily a prerequisite to heat cramps. A person who exercises strenuously in cold weather and perspires may develop heat cramps if he/she drinks water but does not replace salt. Heat cramps result when blood calcium levels are too high in proportion to those of blood sodium. To function properly, the muscles need a strict balance of water, calcium, and sodium; whenever that balance is disrupted, regardless of temperature, muscular contraction malfunctions, and heat cramps may result. Cramping occurs when the muscle ' contracts without relaxing again; the muscle remains firm in a knotted configuration, leaving a cavity at its origin. Some signs and symptoms of heat cramps are as follows: Severe muscular cramps and pain, especially of the legs, calves, and abdomen I Faintness and dizziness A stiff, board like abdomen Possible nausea and vomiting Normal mental status and consciousness Emergency care of heat cramps is as follows: ' . If the patient is in a hot environment, remove him from the heat immediately. To relieve pain, try gently stretching the involved muscle groups. Manipulate or push the knotted muscle mass back to its normal position. 1 ' 902 Industrial Way•Lodi,CA 95240-209.367.3701•Fax 209.333.8303 02014 Nei10.Anderson&Associates,Inc.