Cramp - Symptom, Causes, Treatment of Cramp

What is Cramp?

A painful spasm (excessive and prolonged contraction) of muscle, when cramp occurs in the involuntary muscles (those over which we have no conscious control) of internal organs such as the gut, the pain is called Colic. Cramps may occur in many parts of the body but are probably most frequent in the legs. A sudden muscular seizure they are often so painful as to stop movement immediately.

The most common cramps that affect voluntary (consciously controlled) muscles are exercise induced cramps, heat cramps and night-time leg cramps. A common cause of cramp is over-exertion, as is excessive sweating and loss of body salt in extremely hot weather, chronic strain and dehydration from prolonged fever. It is also associated with gout and uraemia.

Causes of Cramp

The cause of muscle cramps include: fatigue, excessive activity and fluid loss . Cramp is impossible to predict and can occur at any time, even when asleep. When cramp comes on, try to stretch muscles involved, and massage them to increase blood supply. If cramp comes on at night, raise the foot of your bed by about 10 cm (4 in). Increase fluid and reduce weight, if appropriate. Extra magnesium might also help.

Symptoms

Calf cramps produce extreme pain and discomfort in the affected muscles. The muscle remains tight and contracted making it difficult to move the foot of the affected leg.

Types of Cramp

1. Exercise induced cramps occur during or after strenuous or unaccustomed exercise, and are a warning that muscles are exhausted and their blood supply is not keeping up with the need for oxygen and glucose, and the removal of waste products. Rest, stretching the muscles and rubbing the affected area will relieve the cramp.
2. Heat cramps result from the loss of too much salt due to excessive sweating from exercise and/or hot weather. This is especially so in people unaccustomed to hot, dry climates where sweat is not noticed because of rapid evaporation. Heat cramps often affect the hands and feet first. They can be prevented and relieved rapidly by drinking fluids or eating foods containing salt. Your appetite often tells you how much you need.
3. Night cramps in the legs and feet are a common problem. It is estimated that 1 in 7 people over 45 suffer them from time to time, and they become more common with age. The calf muscles are affected most, and you can often feel the hard, knot-like muscle at the pain site. The cause of night cramps is usually not clear. Poor circulation has often been blamed, but most people who get cramps have normal blood supply to their legs. A plausible explanation is that sleeping in the same position for a long time slows down circuiation to parts of the leg, and the reduced oxygen supply makes muscles more sensitive to any stimulus that would make them contract.

Treatment and More Information

Another theory is that minor ageing changes that could cause cramp affect the longest nerves and most distant muscles first, which accords with the higher frequency of cramps in older people and their foot and calf muscles. Night cramps happen more often in hot weather, so low salt may contribute. Occasionally cramps can be a side effect of certain medications, so always check with your doctor if they develop soon after starting a new drug.

If you get a cramp the best way to relieve it is by stretching the muscles. For calf muscles, stand on your toes and bring your heels down firmly, keeping your toes on the floor. Prevention of night cramps is difficult. If they disturb your sleep often, your doctor might suggest muscle relaxant medication at bedtime, but side effects may be troublesome, especially for older people. Exercises to stretch calf muscles help many people. Falklone offers abundant preventive measures, such as putting a magnet, a knob of camphor, or carks in the bed, but none of these can be relied on to work for everyone.

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