Avoid the symptoms of muscle cramps and muscle knots by knowing the causes of muscle cramping.

What are Muscle Cramps?

A muscle cramp occurs when your muscle involuntarily contracts and does not relax, and becomes locked in a spasm. It can occur at any time, most often when you least expect it during activities such as exercising, swimming, playing golf, sleeping, or after sitting too long in one place without moving or flexing a muscle. Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to fifteen minutes or longer, and can recur several times before going away.

Cramps can affect any muscle under our voluntary control known as skeletal muscles such as the legs, feet, hands and arms. They generally occur in three different muscle groups including the back of the lower leg or calf called the gastrocnemius muscle, the back of the thigh or hamstrings and the front of the thigh, quadriceps. Muscle cramps can also affect various organs of the body such as the stomach, uterus, blood vessel wall, intestinal tract, biliary system, bronchial tree and urinary passages. Muscle cramps have different degrees of intensity and vary from a slight twitch to excruciating pain.

Cramps can affect anyone but they are more common in adults than in children. Endurance athletes such as marathon runners and tri-athletes get muscle cramps regularly because they exert themselves physically. Older people, specifically over the age of 65, are also more predisposed to cramps because they become less active and lose muscle. People who are ill, overweight, take drugs or certain medications, or people who perform strenuous physical activities are at risk of developing cramps.

Diagnosing Muscle Cramps

The common signs and symptoms of a muscle cramp include:

• Muscle pain
• Loss of muscle function
• Abnormal muscle rigidity
• Loss of muscle contraction control
• Pain in the affected area

What Causes Muscle Cramps?

Muscle cramps can occur as a result of:

• Overexertion
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance (not enough fluid in the body and lack of sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium)
• Numerous medications
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Inactivity and poor circulation

Help for Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps are usually not serious and can be easily treated. Anti-inflammatory medication may sometimes be recommended to relieve inflammation and ease the cramps. If muscle cramps are severe and occur often, it is advisable to consult a doctor to discover the underlying cause. They could be indicative of more serious conditions such as osteoporosis, thyroid disease, cirrhosis of the liver and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Natural Remedies

More Information on Muscle Cramps

Tips to Relieve Muscle Cramps