Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that usually occur in the legs and abdomen. If a person has heat cramps, take them to a cool place, loosen clothing, and give cool water or a commercial sports drink. Allow the person to drink about one glass of liquid every 15 minutes. With rest and fluids, the person should recover quickly and be able to re ume activity. Keep the person drinking fluids and watch for any further signs of heat-related illness.
Heat exhaustion is more serious than heat cramps.
Symptoms include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. As with heat cramps, get the person to a cool place and loosen the victim's clothing. Give plenty of fluids to a heat exhaustion victim. Apply cool, wet compresses to cool the person. Heat stroke is the most severe heat condition.