Prevent Muscle Cramps

I get severe muscle cramps particularly at night and want to know if there is anything I can do and why it happens?
(29 Jul 2009)

Muscles are the specially designed tissues that provide strength and can be used to exert effort in the body. There are a few different types of muscles in the body. These are cardiac muscles, smooth muscles and skeletal muscles.

Most of the muscles in the body are skeletal muscles. These are muscles that are attached to the skeletal system. They are designed to move the bones of the body around and help with motion an all other body movements. Skeletal muscles are connected to the bones with tendons.

A muscle cramp is a condition where the muscle contracts too much. This causes pain, often unpleasant pain. Severe muscle cramps would usually last for a few seconds as the individual will compensate for the pain by moving or changing the position of the affected area such that the muscle is fed with more blood in order to relieve it. A cramp usually comes without warning and can be extremely debilitating. Cramps are common in sports persons, particularly those who are involved in long duration sporting events such as soccer, marathon running and long distance cycling. The logic behind this is that the muscle builds up lactic acid as it continues to exert itself. While a cramp may correct itself in a few seconds, the pain and muscle damage that has occurred may last for a few days after the cramp. This happens when the muscle continues to be exerted while in the cramped state. Severe muscle cramps can be extremely painful. Treatment for muscle cramps would depend upon the severity of the cramps.

Many people also suffer from severe muscle cramping at night. This is known as nocturnal cramping. Nocturnal cramping is as yet not completely understood. There is some research that suggests it has something to do with improper mineral balance in the individual. This may cover deficiencies of sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium. Dehydration may also be blamed for this. During nocturnal cramping, only a certain portion of the muscle cramps.

A massage on the area is the best muscle cramp treatment. This helps to release the muscle and improve circulation to it. Long term treatment for severe muscle cramps involve improving one’s electrolyte and mineral balance if a test has detected issues with this. Stretching prior to exercise also helps prevent severe muscle cramping. For night time cramping, some movement of the affected muscle helps to relieve the pain. This is a rather short term solution and only addresses the cramp after it has actually happened.

answered by M W on 18 Aug 2010, 5:34:26

A muscle cramp can be very painful and almost debilitating for some people. A muscle cramp basically refers to an involuntary contraction of the muscle, and the experience may also be described as a muscle spasm. These cramps or spasms generally tend to affect the muscles of the calf, hamstring, quadriceps, and the muscles of the arms, feet, hands, and even the abdomen.

The intensity of the pain from these cramps may vary greatly not just from individual to individual, but also in each occurrence. In some cases the muscle cramp may occur simply as a twitch, while in other cases the pain can be excruciating. The muscle tends to feel taut and hard for what may last for just a few seconds or several minutes, while at times maybe even longer. The length will depend on the intensity of the spasm and the muscle is likely to remain painful and tender to touch even after the spasm has passed. Depending on the severity of the spasm it may even leave the individual debilitated to the extent that the individual will not be able to resume the exercise or physical activity that he was engaged may have been engaged in. What makes this condition even worse is that the cramps may seem to vanish and recede but then return quite often.

Although the exact cause for cramps of this nature is not clearly understood, we do know that they can afflict any muscle and at any time, but are most prevalent in the leg or foot. They also occur most often while engaged in some sports or exercise or whilst lying in bed. Do keep in mind that flexible muscles that have been stretched are much less likely to cramp as compared to tight muscles. Other specific and probable causes include:

Lack of physical activity

Over exertion and muscle fatigue

Excessive perspiration or dehydration leading to depletion of minerals

Loss or a lack of certain minerals like potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus

Consumption of certain medications and diuretics contribute to a loss of essential minerals

Although it would be difficult to prevent these cramps there are some tips that can help:

Engage in light exercises that improve fitness and flexibility, but avoid over exertion

Stretch yourself before and after workouts

Stretching exercises for the muscles that are generally affected in particular would help

Muscle cramps are generally not serious but if you suffer frequent and severe cramps consult your doctor.

answered by S D on 29 Jul 2009, 8:23:07

Prevent Muscle Cramps

I get severe muscle cramps particularly at night and want to know if there is anything I can do and why it happens? (29 Jul 2009)

I get severe muscle cramps particularly at night and want to know if there is anything I can do and why it happens?
(29 Jul 2009)