MUSCLE CRAMPS
MUSCLE CRAMPS CAN AFFECT YOUR
- Calf
- Thigh (back & front)
- Abdominal wall
- Arms
- Hands
- Feet
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WHAT ARE MUSCLE CRAMPS?
- Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions that occur in various muscles
- These contractions are often painful & can affect different muscle groups
- Commonly affected muscles include those in the back of your lower leg, the back of your
thigh, & the front of your thigh - You may also experience cramps in your abdominal wall, arms, hands & feet
- The intense pain of a cramp can awaken you at night or make it difficult to walk
- A sudden, sharp pain, lasting from a few seconds to 15 minutes, is the most common
symptom of a muscle cramp - Sometimes, a bulging lump of muscle tissue beneath the skin can also accompany a cramp
CAUSES OF MUSCLE CRAMPS
- Overuse of your muscles, most often while you are exercising
- Poor running techniques
- Running on hard surfaces
- Flat feet
- Wearing the wrong kind of shoes while running
- Consistently wearing heels that are 2 inch or more
- Muscle injuries
- Dehydration
- Low levels of calcium & potassium
- Insufficient supply of blood to the legs
- Restless leg syndrome
- Sometimes, the cause is unknown
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
THAT CAN CAUSE MUSCLE CRAMPS
- Spinal nerve compression, which can cause muscle cramps in your legs when walking
or standing - Alcoholism
- Pregnancy
- Kidney failure
- Hypothyroidism (low thyroid gland function)
HOW TO PREVENT MUSCLE CRAMPS
- The simplest way to prevent muscle cramps is to avoid or limit the exercises that strain your muscles & cause cramps
- Stretch or warm up before participating in sports & exercising
- Failure to warm up can result in muscle strain & injury
- Your body loses more water when physically active, so increase your liquid intake when you exercise to avoid dehydration
- Talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin supplement to ensure that your body receives the necessary supply of nutrients and minerals
- You can also increase your calcium & potassium intake naturally by eating foods such as
milk, bananas & orange juice - Avoid wearing high heels every day
HOW TO TREAT MUSCLE CRAMPS
- To ease pain from muscle cramps, you can apply a hot or cold compress to your sore muscles at the first sign of a spasm
- If your pain does not improve, try taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication,
such as ibuprofen - It may also help to gently stretch the sore muscles
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MUSCLE CRAMPS
CAN INTERUPT YOUR SLEEP
- If this happens, talk to your doctor about a prescription muscle relaxer
- This medication helps relax your muscles & calm spasms
- Your doctor may recommend supplements to control your cramps if you have low levels of calcium or potassium
- If you have an underlying medical condition, discuss treatment options with your doctor
MUSCLE CRAMPS
ONLY WHEN SLEEPING
- Thrombophlebitis is inflammation & clotting of the veins
- It is potentially a dangerous situation as the clots might break free from the calf area &
travel elsewhere in the body - If you have frequent calf cramps only while sleeping see a doctor
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SHOULD YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR?
- Muscle cramps are usually harmless & don't require medical attention
- You should see a doctor if your muscle cramps are severe, do not improve with stretching
or persist for a long time - This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition
QUESTIONS YOUR DOCTOR WILL ASK
- How often do muscle cramps occur?
- Which muscles are affected?
- Do you take any medications?
- Do you drink alcohol?
- What are your exercise habits?
- How much liquid do you drink on a daily basis?
BLOOD TESTS
- Check the levels of potassium & calcium in your blood
- Check the function of your kidneys & thyroid
ADDITIONAL TESTS MAY INCLUDE
- Pregnancy test
- Electromyography (measures muscle activity & checks for muscle abnormalities)
- Myleography (imaging tool that creates a picture of your spinal cord)
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