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Muscle Cramps
Overview:
A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. Muscle cramps can result in intense pain and leave you temporarily unable to use the affected muscles.
Common causes of muscle cramps include overuse and dehydration during physical activity in warm weather. Some medications and certain medical conditions also may cause muscle cramps.
Signs and Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of a muscle cramp include:
* Sudden and sharp muscle pain (spasm, contraction), often in your legs
* A hard lump of muscle tissue that you can feel or is visible beneath your skin
Causes and Organs Affected:
Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period of time may result in a muscle cramp. Athletes who become fatigued and dehydrated while participating in warm-weather sports frequently develop muscle cramps. In many cases, however, the exact cause of a muscle cramp isn't identified.
Treatment:
You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. Your doctor can show you stretching exercises that can help you reduce your chances of getting muscle cramps. Making sure you stay well hydrated also can help. For recurrent cramps that disturb your sleep, your doctor may prescribe a medication to relax your muscles.
Lifestyle Management:
If you have a cramp, these actions may provide relief: Stretch and massage, apply cold or heat.