Heat convulsions
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Thermal convulsions are muscle-related muscle contractions that occur during or after physical exertion in conditions of high ambient temperature.
Although the load can cause seizures and in cool weather, such convulsions with heat are not related and, rather, reflect a lack of physical fitness. Heat convulsions, on the other hand, can develop in physically strong people, sweating profusely and replenishing the volume of fluid, but not salt, which leads to hyponatremia. Thermal convulsions are typical for workers of heavy physical labor (in particular, in the engine room workers, metallurgists, miners), new recruits in the army and athletes.
The spasm occurs suddenly, usually in the muscles of the limbs. Expressed pain and spasm in the hands and feet can temporarily disable. The body temperature remains normal, other changes are insignificant.
The spasm can be removed immediately with the help of persistent passive stretching of the involved muscle (for example, unbending in the ankle joint with the defeat of the posterior shank muscle group). Lack of fluid and electrolytes should be replenished orally [1 liter of water with 10 g of salt (two full teaspoons)] or intravenously (1 L of 0.9% sodium chloride solution). Prevent convulsions can be adequately conditioned, acclimatized, maintaining the water-electrolyte balance.
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