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Overview
When contraction of muscle occurs by itself, it might lead to cramping of muscles. A hard mass is felt around the region that is painful which is the result of contracted muscle. It is considered that there might be an underlying cause for a hard muscle mass-like sensation. If muscles are not stressed, one might feel cramping which might be the result of muscle being exhausted or overused. It is also possible that an individual’s body might be dehydrated or have enough electrolytes.s might not be available like potassium or magnesium. Potassium and magnesium would let muscles work efficiently and sufficient liquid would take care of the body’s fluid demand. In most cases, muscle spasms are not a troublesome condition. There is an increased risk of muscle spasms among individuals who are at the age of 65 or above. It is also possible to develop leg cramps due to intake of alcohol, diabetes, or hypothyroidism.
Consulting Doctor
Primary health care provider
2. Physiatrist
3. Rheumatologist
4. Orthopedist
5. A neurologist or Neuromuscular specialist
Symptoms
Cramps are usually present in the legs most prominently in the calf region. The duration of cramps is usually from seconds to minutes. After the relief of cramps, the cramping region might be sore lasting for hours.
Causes
After a workout when the muscle strain is too hard, body fluid is lost through sweating. It might also occur after one position is held for a long period of time. However, the real cause of leg cramps is unknown. A direct link is found between muscle cramps and other medical conditions such as:
1. Insufficient blood flow: Arteries that are responsible for supplying blood to the legs and foot region while exercising are narrowed down and these cramps usually would not relieve by themselves even after stopping physical activity.
2. Nerve compression: Nerves that are present on the spine are pressurized which would result in cramping or pain that is present in legs. The sensation of pain is often worsens when a person walks. While walking or bending the pain worsens while activity like trying to push a shopping cart might relieve the pain symptom.
3. Insufficient minerals: Insufficient supply of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the leg region would cause muscle cramps. An increase in urine frequency occurs when medicines are prescribed for high blood pressure that would drain away essential minerals present in the body.
4. Age factor: An individual’s age play an important role since older people have less muscle mass. The muscles of older people are not able to work as hard as possible and tend to get stressed more easily.
5. Poor body composition: If an individual is not in good shape, it would cause muscles to get tired more easily.
6. Too much sweating: Athletes who play sports in warm weather conditions, can easily develop muscle cramps.
7. Pregnancy: It is common to develop muscle cramps during pregnancy.
8. Medical condition: If an individual is suffering from diabetes or any complication that is related to nerves, liver, or thyroid, it increases the risk of muscle cramps.
9. Body weight: Healthy body weight should be maintained since more body weight increases the risk of muscle cramps.
Prevention
One should drink plenty of water every day: Good amount of body fluid is needed for muscles to function properly and one should drink plenty of water while performing physical activity. One should always be hydrated by intaking excess water and beverages that are caffeine and alcohol-free.
2. Performing muscle stretching exercises: After using the leg muscle, one should stretch gently to work out the muscle. Stretching exercises should be performed right before bedtime in order to avoid leg cramping at night. One should perform physical activities like riding a bicycle before nighttime which would prevent leg cramps.
3. One should always stretch themselves before taking part in a sports activity or before performing physical exercise. One might easily get muscle strains or injury if they are not warmed up before exercises.
4. One should avoid exercising right after eating.
5. One should avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee and chocolate.
6. An adequate amount of liquid intake should be maintained to keep the body hydrated. If a person is physically active they lose more body fluid, hence why liquid intake should be increased while exercising.
7. Intake of calcium and potassium should be increased by drinking orange juice or by eating bananas.
8. One should consult with a doctor about vitamin supplementation so that an adequate supply of nutrients and minerals are maintained.
Treatment
Hot and sore compression should be applied to muscles that are sore along with the usage of the following:
Clothe that are warm or soaked in hot water.
Using a heating pad
Clothes that are soaked in cold water or ice water.
Applying direct ice to the cramping region.
If you stretch the muscle, it might help in pain relief. For instance, while cramping of your calf region, foot ware would be pulled upward with hands that would stretch the calf muscles.
Over-the-counter inflammatory medications should be taken if the pain does not go away by itself along with anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen which might also help to stretch more muscle for gentle use.
Sleep interruption might also occur if muscle cramps persist and a prescription of calcium and potassium supplements might be suggested by the doctor.
Massage and stretching should be executed. If leg cramps are present in the calf region, one should try stretching muscles and should walk around if the pain is not relieved.
Tests Required for Diagnosis
A physical examination is performed by the doctor. A blood test might be required to check for the level of calcium and potassium that is present in the blood along with thyroid and kidney function testing. Electromyography (EMG) might also be required to check for muscle activity and to test muscle abnormalities. An MRI might be helpful that would create a picture of the spinal cord.
Sometimes myelogram studies might be helpful.
Useful info
Cramps are believed to disappear in minutes but in case of ongoing cramps one should always consult with the doctor. No medications are available right now to fully treat muscle cramps. However, if muscle cramping is a symptom of a condition, the underlying issue should be treated to provide full relief.
References
1. Higuera V. (2019, August 27). What Causes Muscle Cramps? Healthline.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/what-causes-leg-cramps#takeaway
2. Morrison, W. (2023, January 1). Muscle cramp. Mayoclinic,org. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350825
3. Knowlege Desk (2023, January 1). An Overview Of Leg Cramps. Knowledge Desk. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350825
