Heat-Related Illnesses and Treatments Overexposure to heat can cause illnesses called heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. They are all serious and need to be treated immediately. In all three cases, get the person out of the sun and into the shade as quickly as possible. Heat stroke is the most severe heat condition. It develops when the body systems become overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning.
Heat cramps are the least severe of the three heat-related illnesses.
They are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat. 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.