Muscle cramps: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition

What are muscle cramps?

Muscle cramps are sudden, painful contractions or tightening of the muscles that last for a while. Often this condition occurs in the legs.

Nighttime leg cramps are usually sudden spasms or tightening of the muscles in the calf. This condition can sometimes occur in the thigh or leg. Often cramps appear while you are sleeping or just waking up.

Even though it is classified as a condition that tends to be harmless, when you experience it, you may not be able to use the muscles that are experiencing these cramps. The causes of muscle cramps can range from excessive exercise, strenuous physical activity, to hot weather.

Certain medications and medical conditions can also cause muscle cramps. You can usually treat it at home with self-care.

How common is this condition?

This condition is very common and can occur in patients of any age. In addition, this condition can be treated by reducing the risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of muscle cramps?

In contrast to muscle pain that can occur in any muscle part of the body, muscle cramps are relatively more common in the legs, especially in the calves.

In addition to sudden pain, you may feel or see muscle tissue bulging under the skin.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

Although this condition is common, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Muscle cramps cause excessive discomfort.
• Swelling of the legs, redness or skin changes occurs.
• Weakened muscles.
• Too often.
• Does not get better with self-care.
• Not linked to an obvious cause, such as strenuous exercise.

Cause

What causes muscle cramps?

This condition occurs when the muscles involuntarily contract by themselves. Usually, you feel a hard lump at the point of pain, which is a muscle that is contracting.

Overuse of muscles, dehydration, muscle tension, or just staying in one position for a long time can cause this condition. However, in some cases, the cause is unknown.

Although most of these conditions are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as:

1. Inadequate blood supply

Narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the legs can cause pain, such as muscle cramps in the leg when you exercise. These muscle cramps usually go away on their own after you stop doing these sports activities.

2. Nerve compression

Compression of the nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) can also produce cramp-like pain in your legs.

Compression of the nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) can also produce pain, such as cramps in your legs. The pain usually gets worse the longer you walk.

Walking in a slightly bent posture, as you would when pushing a shopping cart, can delay the onset of symptoms of the condition.

3. Lack of minerals and electrolytes in the body

Too little minerals, such as potassium, calcium, or magnesium in your diet can cause cramps. Electrolyte deficiency can also cause this condition.

Diuretics, which are often prescribed medications for high blood pressure, can also deplete your body of minerals.

What increases the risk of muscle cramps?

There are many factors that put you at risk for muscle cramps, namely:

Increasing age

Older people lose muscle mass, so the remaining muscles are more prone to stress.

Dehydration

Athletes who are tired and dehydrated while participating in hot weather sports often experience muscle cramps.

Pregnancy

Muscle cramps are also common during pregnancy.

Certain medical conditions

You may be at higher risk for muscle cramps if you have diabetes, nerve, liver or thyroid disorders.

Diagnosis

How are muscle cramps diagnosed?

The doctor will ask about symptoms and examine the affected area. Your doctor may also ask if you have any other symptoms, such as numbness or swelling, which could be signs you have secondary muscle cramps caused by certain conditions.

In this case, you may need further tests, such as blood tests and urine tests, to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How are muscle cramps treated?

Cramps usually last from a few seconds to several minutes. Most cases of leg cramps are lessened by exercising these muscles. Exercising the muscles can reduce the frequency of cramping episodes.

Meanwhile, leg cramps that occur during pregnancy will disappear once the baby is born. Not much different from the treatment of muscle pain, here are some possible steps to treat the condition:

Stretch and massage

Stop any activity that might be causing the cramps. According to Harvard Health Publishing, stretching muscles can help relieve pain that arises.

Stretch by holding it gently. You can also massage the muscles while you are stretching or after you are done.

To stretch your calf muscles, stand with the front of your feet on a ladder, heels hanging off. Lower your heels slowly under the surface of the ladder.

Hold for a few seconds before lifting your heels back up to their starting position. Repeat several times. You can also apply a heating pad to the affected area. That way, in addition to relieving pain, you will also maintain good muscle health.

Drugs

Medicines are usually only needed in cases that do not respond to exercise. If you have secondary leg cramps, treating the cause can relieve the symptoms.

It can be more difficult to treat cramps that occur as a result of serious liver disease. Your treatment can include medications such as muscle relaxants.

Use pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be careful with drugs. Read and follow the directions on the label.

If the doctor prescribes medication to treat cramps, use it exactly as directed. Call your doctor if you have problems with medications.

However, if the cramps come back frequently, interfering with your activities and sleep, your doctor can give you medication that relaxes the muscles. If you are taking a drug known to cause muscle cramps, your doctor can give you another medication.

Eat food sources containing magnesium

If you have frequent leg cramps that are not related to a more serious condition, you can try adding magnesium to your diet. Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of magnesium.

Use Epsom salt

Many trainers and physical therapists also recommend taking megnesium outside your body, using Epsom salt.

Try applying this ancient remedy to a damp cloth and pressing it against a sore muscle, or add it to warm water in a shower.

A hot bath can help treat this condition, with or without Epsom salt. A dry heater in the form of a heating pad can also help you.

Start using the pads on the lowest setting and increase the heat if you don't feel any changes.

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat muscle cramps?

Lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with cramps. The following are foods that can help you reduce pain from muscle cramps:

Banana

As you know, bananas are a good source of potassium. Not only that, this fruit will also provide you with magnesium and calcium.

The three nutrients you need to relieve this condition are tucked under the banana peel. Unsurprisingly, bananas are a popular and quick choice for relieving cramps.

Sweet Potatoes

Like bananas, sweet potatoes provide you with potassium, calcium and magnesium. Even sweet potatoes are superior because they contain six times more calcium than bananas.

Avocado

This green and yellow fruit contains about 975 mg of potassium, twice that of mother or banana. Potassium is important because it can help your muscles work and keep your heart healthy.

Nuts and lentils

Nuts and lentils are packed with magnesium. One cup of cooked lentils contains about 71 mg of magnesium and one cup of cooked black beans is almost double that, which is 120 mg.

Melon

This fruit contains her husband, namely a good amount of potassium, magnesium, calcium, little sodium, and lots of water.

Sodium and water are key because when you exercise, your body excretes sodium with sweat. If you lose too much water, you will become dehydrated and cramps can occur.

4. Green vegetables

Vegetables like broccoli and spinach can be eaten daily to prevent muscle cramps at night. These vegetables are rich in calcium and magnesium, which are needed by muscles to prevent cramps from occurring.

Some studies also say that eating green vegetables before menstruation can prevent stomach cramps during menstruation.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.