---
title: "What Is Heat Cramps? Heat Stress and Hydration Glossary"
description: "Heat cramps are painful muscle cramps or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. They hit workers who sweat heavily during hard work and can signal heat exhaustion."
url: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-cramps
publisher: JMAR Solutions
phone: +1-214-632-7780
quote: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/contact
---

Heat illness

# Heat cramps

Heat cramps are painful muscle cramps or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. They hit workers who sweat heavily during hard work and can signal heat exhaustion.

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. They usually affect workers who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. Sweat removes salt, and low salt levels in muscles cause the cramps.

NIOSH advises water and a snack or a drink that replaces carbohydrates and [electrolytes](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte), every 15 to 20 minutes. It also says to avoid salt tablets. Get medical help for workers with heart problems or a low sodium diet, or if cramps last more than 1 hour. Cramps can also be an early sign of [heat exhaustion](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-exhaustion), so watch the worker closely. [Sodium](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/sodium) is the main electrolyte lost in sweat.

[From JMAR SolutionsHydration programs and toolbox talks for crews](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/hydration-programs)

## Related terms

-   [Heat exhaustion](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-exhaustion)
-   [Electrolyte](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte)
-   [Sodium](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/sodium)
-   [Hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration)

## Sources

1.  [CDC NIOSH: Heat-related Illnesses](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html)
2.  [CDC NIOSH: Heat-related Illnesses](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html)

![Ironworkers silhouetted on a steel frame against a hot orange sunset](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/_astro/sunset-steel.IhAMDca0_6wk53.webp)

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