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heat cramps

plural noun
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Definition of heat cramps

: a condition that is marked by sudden development of cramps in skeletal muscles and that results from prolonged work or exercise in high temperatures accompanied by profuse perspiration with loss of sodium chloride from the body

Examples of heat cramps in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Two players left today’s practice with issues: C Casey Dunn a foot and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones with heat cramps. — cleveland, "Mack Wilson ‘definitely has a chance’ to return this season; Kevin Johnson could return fairly early in the year: Browns injury update," 22 Aug. 2020 Signs of heat cramps: Muscle pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs. — Leah Groth, Health.com, "What is Hyperthermia? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments You Need to Know," 23 June 2020 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that high temperatures can lead to illnesses ranging in severity from heat rash and sunburn, to heat cramps and exhaustion, to heat stroke. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN, "How to stay safe in this week's heat wave," 18 July 2019 Other illnesses the district advises people to watch out for include dehydration, heat cramps and heat strokes. — Jacob Beltran, ExpressNews.com, "City, organizations help residents cope with rising heat," 20 June 2019 People may experience heat strokes, heat cramps or heat exhaustion. — Jacob Beltran, ExpressNews.com, "Officials urge caution, awareness during heat wave," 20 June 2019 In Palm Springs, California, where highs could hit 114 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, officials warned the high temperatures could cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat stroke. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "120 degrees in the shade?! Record-breaking, 'dangerous' heat wave bakes western U.S.," 10 June 2019 When temperatures are high, even a few hours of exertion may cause severe dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. — Anita Snow, The Seattle Times, "California urges power conservation during heat wave," 23 July 2018 As the body temperature rises beyond the norm of 98.6 degrees, this can bring on muscle pain and spasms known as heat cramps, or lead to what’s called heat exhaustion: cramps accompanied by dizziness, nausea, headaches and more. — Linda Searing, Washington Post, "The Big Number: Extreme heat kills 618 people every year," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heat cramps.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of heat cramps

1938, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of heat cramps was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Heat cramps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20cramps. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for heat cramps

heat cramps

noun plural

Medical Definition of heat cramps

: a condition that is marked by sudden development of cramps in skeletal muscles and that results from prolonged work or exercise in high temperatures accompanied by profuse perspiration with loss of sodium chloride from the body

More from Merriam-Webster on heat cramps

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heat cramps

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