Which symptom is associated with heat cramps?

Heat cramps are usually a result of excessive moisture loss through sweating and occur when the body loses salts and fluids needed for muscle function. The primary symptoms that indicate heat cramps are indeed excessive sweating and muscle spasms or cramps, typically affecting the legs and abdomen.

Excessive sweating indicates that the body is trying to cool itself down, but if it continues without proper hydration or electrolyte replenishment, it can lead to cramps as the muscles become fatigued and can no longer function properly. This makes the presence of muscle cramps a clear indicator that the body is under stress due to heat exposure, emphasizing the need for immediate hydration and possibly the replacement of electrolytes to alleviate the discomfort.

In context, the other options present signs of different heat-related illnesses: cool, pale skin might indicate a person is going into shock or experiencing a more severe heat-related issue, hot, red, dry skin is characteristic of heat stroke, and weakness and confusion can indicate heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Therefore, the symptoms associated with heat cramps specifically align with the combination of excessive sweating and muscle cramps.