Muscle Cramps

Muscle Cramps
1/22
Table of Contents
Muscle cramps facts
What are muscle cramps?
What are the types and causes of muscle cramps?
Types of muscle cramps: True cramps
Types of muscle cramps: True cramps (Part 2)
Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 3)
Types of muscle cramps - Tetany
Types of muscle cramps - Dystonic cramps
Q: What mimics a muscle cramp?
Do all muscle cramps fit into the above categories?
Can medications cause muscle cramps?
Can vitamin deficiencies cause muscle cramps?
Can poor circulation cause muscle cramps?
What are the symptoms of common muscle cramps? How muscle

cramps diagnosed?
What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps?
What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps? (Continued)
How can muscle cramps be prevented?
How can muscle cramps be prevented? (Part 2)

Are there particular concerns for older adults?
Are there medications to prevent muscle cramps?
What is the prognosis of recurrent muscle cramps?
1. Muscle Cramps and Spasms Slideshow

2. Sports Injuries Pictures Slideshow
3. First Aid Care and Pain Relief
Muscle cramps facts
A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle

that does not relax.
Almost everyone experiences a muscle cramp at some time in

their life.
There are a variety of types and causes of muscle cramps.
Numerous medicines can cause muscle cramps.
Most muscle cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be

stretched.
Muscle cramps can often be prevented by measures such as

adequate nutrition and hydration, attention to safety when
exercising, and attention to ergonomic factors. Continue Reading
1/22
Reviewed on 1/27/2015
NEXT: What are muscle cramps?
Medical Author:
Melissa Conrad Stppler, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
References
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1. Dehydration
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Muscle cramps facts

cramps diagnosed?


Muscle Cramps: a Real Pain
Cramps can be perceived as mild twitches or may be excruciatingly painful. Typically, cramps cause
an abrupt, intense pain in the involved muscle.
Often a muscle that is cramping feels harder than normal to the touch or may even show visible signs
of twitching.
Read about treatment of muscle cramps

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly

contracted muscle that does not relax. When we use the
muscles that can be controlled voluntarily, such as
those of our arms and legs, they alternately contract
and relax as we move our limbs. Muscles that support
our head, neck, and trunk contract similarly in a
synchronized fashion to maintain our posture. A muscle
(or even a few fibers of a muscle) that involuntarily
(without consciously willing it) contracts is in a "spasm."
If the spasm is forceful and sustained, it becomes a
cramp. Muscle cramps often cause a visible or palpable
hardening of the involved muscle.
Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds

to a quarter of an hour or occasionally longer. It is not
uncommon for a cramp to recur multiple times until it
finally resolves. The cramp may involve a part of a
muscle, the entire muscle, or several muscles that
usually act together, such as those that flex adjacent
fingers. Some cramps involve the simultaneous
contraction of muscles that ordinarily move body parts
in opposite directions.
Muscle cramps are extremely common. Almost

everyone (one estimate is about 95%) experiences a
cramp at some time in their life. Muscle cramps are
common in adults and become increasingly frequent
with aging. However, children also experience cramps
of muscles.
Any of the muscles that are under our voluntary control

(skeletal muscles) can cramp. Cramps of the
extremities, especially the legs and feet, and most
particularly the calf (the classic "charley horse"), are
very common. Involuntary muscles of the various
organs (uterus, blood vessel wall, bowels, bile and urine
passages, bronchial tree, etc.) are also subject to
cramps. Cramps of the involuntary muscles will not be
further considered in this review. This article focuses on
cramps of skeletal muscle. Continue Reading
2/22
NEXT: What are the types and causes of muscle cramps?
Muscle Cramps
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Muscle cramps facts

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Skeletal muscle cramps can be categorized into four

major types. These include "true" cramps, tetany,
contractures, and dystonic cramps. Cramps are
categorized according to their different causes and the
muscle groups they affect.
True cramps involve part or all of a single muscle or a

group of muscles that generally act together, such as
the muscles that flex several adjacent fingers. Most
authorities agree that true cramps are caused by
hyperexcitability of the nerves that stimulate the
muscles. They are overwhelmingly the most common
type of skeletal muscle cramps. True cramps can occur
in a variety of circumstances as follows. Continue
Reading
3/22
NEXT: Types of muscle cramps: True cramps (Part 2)
Muscle Cramps
4/22
Table of Contents
Muscle cramps facts


cramps diagnosed?

Injury: Persistent muscle spasm may occur as a

protective mechanism following an injury, such as a
broken bone. In this instance, the spasm tends to
minimize movement and stabilize the area of injury.
Injury of the muscle alone may cause the muscle to
spasm.
Vigorous activity: True cramps are commonly

associated with the vigorous use of muscles and muscle
fatigue (in sports or with unaccustomed activities). Such
cramps may come during the activity or later,
sometimes many hours later. Likewise, muscle fatigue
from sitting or lying for an extended period in an
awkward position or any repetitive use can cause
cramps. Older adults are at risk for cramps when
performing vigorous or strenuous physical activities.
Continue Reading
4/22
NEXT: Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 3)
Medical Author:
Muscle Cramps
5/22
Table of Contents
Muscle cramps facts


cramps diagnosed?

Rest cramps: Cramps at rest are very common,

especially in older adults, but may be experienced at
any age, including childhood. Rest cramps often occur
during the night. While not life threatening, night cramps
(commonly known as nocturnal cramps) can be painful,
disruptive of sleep, and they can recur frequently (that
is, many times a night, and/or many nights each week).
The actual cause of night cramps is unknown.
Sometimes, such cramps are initiated by making a
movement that shortens the muscle. An example is
pointing the toe down while lying in bed, which shortens
the calf muscle, a common site of muscle cramps.
Dehydration: Sports and other vigorous activities can

cause excessive fluid loss from perspiration. This kind
of dehydration increases the likelihood of true cramps.
These cramps are more likely to occur in warm weather
and can be an early sign of heat stroke. Chronic volume
depletion of body fluids from diuretics (medicine that
promote urination) and poor fluid intake may act
similarly to predispose to cramps, especially in older
people. Sodium depletion has also been associated with
cramps. Loss of sodium, the most abundant chemical
constituent of body fluids outside the cell, is usually a
function of dehydration. Continue Reading
5/22
NEXT: Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 4)
Muscle Cramps
6/22
Table of Contents
Muscle cramps facts

cramps diagnosed?

Body fluid shifts: True cramps also may be
experienced in other conditions that feature an unusual
distribution of body fluids. An example is cirrhosis of the
liver, which leads to the accumulation of fluid in the
abdominal cavity (ascites). Similarly, cramps are a
relatively frequent complication of the rapid body fluid
changes that occur during dialysis for kidney failure.
Low blood calcium, magnesium: Low blood levels of

either calcium or magnesium directly increase the
excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles
they stimulate. This may be a predisposing factor for the
spontaneous true cramps experienced by many older
adults, as well as for those that are commonly noted
during pregnancy. Low levels of calcium and
magnesium are common in pregnant women unless
these minerals are supplemented in the diet. Cramps
are seen in any circumstance that decreases the
availability of calcium or magnesium in body fluids, such
as taking diuretics, hyperventilation (overbreathing),
excessive vomiting, inadequate calcium and/or
magnesium in the diet, inadequate calcium absorption
due to vitamin D deficiency, poor function of the
parathyroid glands (tiny glands in the neck that regulate
calcium balance), and other conditions.
Low potassium: Low potassium blood levels

occasionally cause muscle cramps, although it is more
common for low potassium to be associated with
muscle weakness. Continue Reading
6/22
NEXT: Types of muscle cramps - Tetany
Medical Author:
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
References
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Muscle Cramps
7/22
Table of Contents
Muscle cramps facts

cramps diagnosed?


In tetany, all of the nerve cells in the body are activated,

which then stimulate the muscles. This reaction causes
spasms or cramps throughout the body. The name
tetany is derived from the effect of the tetanus toxin on
the nerves. However, the name is now commonly
applied to muscle cramping from other conditions, such
as low blood levels of calcium and magnesium. Low
calcium and low magnesium, which increase the activity
of nerve tissue nonspecifically, also can produce tetanic
cramps. Often, such cramps are accompanied by
evidence of hyperactivity of other nerve functions in
addition to muscle stimulation. For instance, low blood
calcium not only causes spasm of the muscles of the
hands and wrists, but it can also cause a sensation of
numbness and tingling around the mouth and other
areas.
Sometimes, tetanic cramps are indistinguishable from

true cramps. The accompanying changes of sensation
or other nerve functions that occurs with tetany may not
be apparent because the cramp pain is masking or
distracting from it. Continue Reading
7/22
NEXT: Types of muscle cramps - Dystonic cramps

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Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps facts

What are muscle cramps?

What are the types and causes of muscle cramps?

Types of muscle cramps: True cramps

Types of muscle cramps: True cramps (Part 2)

Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 3)

Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 4)

Types of muscle cramps - Tetany

Types of muscle cramps - Dystonic cramps

Q: What mimics a muscle cramp?

Do all muscle cramps fit into the above categories?

Can medications cause muscle cramps?

Can vitamin deficiencies cause muscle cramps?

Can poor circulation cause muscle cramps?

What are the symptoms of common muscle cramps? How muscle

What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps?

What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps? (Continued)

How can muscle cramps be prevented?

How can muscle cramps be prevented? (Part 2)

How can muscle cramps be prevented? (Part 3)

How can muscle cramps be prevented? (Part 4)

Are there medications to prevent muscle cramps?

What is the prognosis of recurrent muscle cramps?

1. Muscle Cramps and Spasms Slideshow

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle

Almost everyone experiences a muscle cramp at some time in

There are a variety of types and causes of muscle cramps.

Numerous medicines can cause muscle cramps.

Most muscle cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be

Muscle cramps can often be prevented by measures such as

Images & Quizzes

Muscle Cramps Index

Find a Local Doctor

TOP 10 Muscle Cramps Related Articles

Muscle cramps facts

What are muscle cramps?

What are the types and causes of muscle cramps?

Types of muscle cramps: True cramps

Types of muscle cramps: True cramps (Part 2)

Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 3)

Types of muscle cramps - True cramps (Part 4)

Types of muscle cramps - Tetany

Types of muscle cramps - Dystonic cramps

Q: What mimics a muscle cramp?

Do all muscle cramps fit into the above categories?

Can medications cause muscle cramps?

Can vitamin deficiencies cause muscle cramps?

Can poor circulation cause muscle cramps?

What are the symptoms of common muscle cramps? How muscle

What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps?

What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps? (Continued)

How can muscle cramps be prevented?

How can muscle cramps be prevented? (Part 2)

How can muscle cramps be prevented? (Part 4)

Are there particular concerns for older adults?

Are there medications to prevent muscle cramps?

What is the prognosis of recurrent muscle cramps?

1. Muscle Cramps and Spasms Slideshow

Muscle Cramps: a Real Pain

Read about treatment of muscle cramps

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly

Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds

Muscle cramps are extremely common. Almost