As summer temperatures continue to soar, many people enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, jogging, and swimming. However, the rise in temperature comes with the increased risk of heat-related illnesses, like heat cramps. Heat cramps are a common issue during hot weather, especially for those who engage in strenuous physical activity. But do heat cramps cause a fever? In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between heat cramps and fever so you can better manage your health and stay safe throughout the summer months.

For same-day heat-related illness care, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Clark. Our medical team is available seven days a week to provide exceptional services to all patients near Clark, NJ. No appointments are required– just walk-in today!

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What Are Heat Cramps?

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur due to excessive loss of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, through sweating. These cramps often affect the legs, arms, and abdomen. They are usually seen in individuals who perform intense physical activities in hot and humid environments, like athletes and construction workers. Heat cramps are primarily caused by dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. When you sweat excessively, you lose not only water but also essential salts and minerals. This loss can disrupt normal muscle function, leading to cramps.

Common signs of muscle cramps include:

• Intense muscle pain or spasms
• Firm, tight muscles
• Heavy sweating

Heat Cramps and Fever: Is There a Connection?

Heat cramps themselves do not directly cause a fever. Fever is a rise in body temperature often due to infection or inflammation. However, heat cramps can be a part of a broader spectrum of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can involve fever. Heat exhaustion is a more severe condition than heat cramps and can lead to heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and rapid pulse. If heat exhaustion is not treated promptly, it can progress to heatstroke, which is characterized by high body temperature, altered mental state, rapid breathing, and loss of consciousness.

Heatstroke can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. One of the hallmark symptoms is a high fever, resulting from the body’s inability to regulate its temperature. If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of heatstroke, seek immediate medical attention.

Get Walk-In Summer Healthcare at AFC Urgent Care Clark

While heat cramps do not directly cause fever, they can be an early warning sign of more severe heat-related conditions that might involve fever, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Understanding the symptoms and taking preventive measures can help you stay safe and healthy during the hotter months. If you or a loved one needs same-day summer healthcare, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Clark. Our urgent care center is equipped to diagnose and treat all non-life-threatening conditions, all on a walk-in basis.

We’re open seven days a week and appointments are never required to be seen by a healthcare provider! Our facility accepts most health insurance plans and offers cost-effective options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, please contact us directly at (732) 301-5114.