热痉挛是一种间歇性痉挛,会影响一个人在炎热潮湿的环境中进行激烈的体育活动。抽筋是无意识的,可能会很痛苦,令人担忧。热痉挛是与热有关的疾病的最早症状,也可能是中暑衰竭的症状。热痉挛会引起痉挛,通常是在高温环境下较大的肌肉受到压力,也可能在活动结束数小时后出现。例如,一个屋顶工人或建筑工人可以完成他们的轮班,但几个小时后就会出现热痉挛。一些职业——比如刚才提到的建筑工人和屋顶工人——中暑抽筋的风险更高。这些人都是身体活跃的人,他们正在工作的表面辐射热量,以及来自太阳的热量。在高温条件下,婴儿、幼儿、老人和其他体温控制机制受损的人也有风险。身体对过热的自然反应是通过出汗来冷却自己,这需要汗液蒸发。婴儿和幼儿经常面临中暑的风险,因为他们依赖他人帮助应对高温,以及他们的液体摄入。 For this reason, it’s advisable to avoid swaddling an infant. It’s better instead to allow air movement over the skin to promote sweat evaporation in the hot weather. The elderly can easily become dehydrated if they have underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease. Many also live alone or cannot afford air conditioning, which again increases their risks for heat-related illnesses. Various medications can impair the body’s sweat and heat regulation. Examples include medications prescribed for psychiatric conditions, including antipsychotics and tranquilisers, as well as over-the-counter cold medications and antihistamines. A person who drinks plenty of water or other fluids can also be at risk if those fluids are low in salt and the person sweats profusely.
诊断热痉挛通常是通过识别哪些肌肉处于不自主痉挛,并回顾患者的病史来完成的。这将是有用的,了解有关环境的细节,那里的人受到热痉挛的影响。这些细节包括天气有多热,有多潮湿,以及空气流通是否足够。同样有趣的是:正在进行的活动及其持续时间;抽筋是什么时候开始的,涉及到哪些肌肉。有相关的出汗吗?这个人喝了足够的水吗?受影响的个体是否适应了炎热的环境?体检可能会发现脱水的迹象,如口干舌干,腋窝和腹股沟出汗少,尿量减少。生命体征——例如低血压和心跳加快(心动过速)——可能是线索。 The affected person's blood pressure may be much lower when standing compared to lying down (orthostatic hypotension). If fluid replacement has been inadequate, cramps may recur when the muscle is taken through its normal range of motion. The cramped muscles might be sore to touch.
中暑痉挛有哪些症状?
热痉挛的症状包括身体大肌肉的不自主痉挛和大量出汗。最常受影响的肌肉群包括大腿和腿部(股四头肌、腘绳肌、腓肠肌)、核心肌肉(腹壁、背部)和手臂肌肉(二头肌、肱三头肌)。腿部肌肉抽筋常发生在跑步运动员和足球运动员身上。在工作中举起物体的人可能会出现手臂肌肉或躯干核心肌肉抽筋,比如腹肌(腹直肌)。尿液的颜色可能预示着热痉挛或与热有关的疾病。当体内水分充足时,尿液趋于清澈。但当身体脱水时,尿液会集中,因为肾脏会试图保存水分。产生的尿液有强烈的气味和深黄色。有时,患有热痉挛的人还会有其他症状,如头晕、虚弱、恶心、呕吐和头痛。在这种情况下,他或她可能是中暑衰竭。 Be on the alert if an affected individual has stopped sweating or becomes confused or feverish. They may be developing heat stroke, the most severe form of heat-related illness or hyperthermia. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency.
如何治疗中暑抽筋
热痉挛的急救治疗包括休息、冷却身体、补水和拉伸抽筋的肌肉。中暑痉挛应该及时治疗,通常是发生的时间和地点。受影响的人应停止一切活动,在阴凉的地方休息。抽筋可以通过轻轻拉伸抽筋的肌肉来克服。流失的水分应通过饮用水和运动饮料或其他电解质替代溶液来补充。你可以把1/4到1/2茶匙的食盐溶解在大约1升的水中,制作你自己的盐溶液。不建议单独服用盐片,因为它们会导致胃部不适,也不能充分补充流失的液体。如果抽筋不能在一小时内得到控制,就应该去看医生。专业的医疗护理注重症状的缓解。医生会检查更严重的热病,并可能提供静脉补液。 Fluids are administered intravenously when replacing body fluids is problematic because of the patient being nauseous or vomiting. Anti-nausea medications may be used to control those symptoms. Painful muscles may be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. The difference between heat cramps and heat exhaustion is a fine line. We’re dealing with a spectrum from mild to moderate heat-related illness. The symptoms can overlap. Severe heat cramps can actually be heat exhaustion. This is likely the case when the person has nausea, or vomits, and cannot replace fluid loss. Also, when they have significant fatigue and weakness, or when profuse sweating continues despite the person being transferred to a cooler environment. Heat stroke is at the extreme end of the spectrum of heat-related illness. This is when the body's ability to cool itself no longer functions and temperature spikes, greater than 40° C (104° F). Heat stroke is a true medical emergency. Confusion, coma, and death can occur. Emergency medical services should be called (000) immediately, if you believe the person has heat stroke. Please also refer to the article中暑急救询问如何进行的建议。