What are the symptoms of heat illness and how are they best managed?
Rising temperatures, along with high humidity, add up to heat illness. There are three kinds of heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. They can occur separately or together. Certain people are predisposed to heat illness. This includes the very young, the elderly, those not used to a hot environment and people on certain medications. These medications may include blood pressure pills, psychiatric medication and certain allergy medicines. Heat cramps Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that most commonly affect the arms, legs and abdomen. Heat cramps result when the fluids and minerals needed for proper muscle functioning are lost and not adequately replaced. Low salt content in the muscles causes painful cramping that can occur while you are exposed to the heat or later in the day when you are inside. You can try to relieve the painful cramps by squeezing, stretching or gently massaging the affected muscle. Replace lost fluids with water or an electrolyte solution
