Heat tetany

Background

• Hyperventilation leading to:
  • respiratory alkalosis
  • extremity/circumoral paresthesias
  • carpopedal spasm
• May mimic heat cramps

Diagnosis

1. Differentiate from Heat Cramps based on little pain, no cramping in muscle compartments

Differential Diagnosis

Environmental heat diagnoses

• Heat cramps
• Heat edema
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat tetany
• Heat stroke
• Heat syncope
• Miliaria
• Hyperthermia

Treatment

1. Remove from heat
2. Decrease resp rate

See Also

• Heat Emergencies

Source

Tintinalli