A Muscle Cramp is a sudden, involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. A muscle that involuntarily contracts without our consciously willing it is called a spasm. It is usually harmless.
Why it occurs?
Hyper-excitability of the nerves that stimulate the muscles cause it. In many cases, the reason is usually unknown. Important Causes are-
- Overuse of a muscle
- Dehydration
- Muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period of time
- Inadequate blood supply
- Vitamin (B1, B5, B6) deficiency
- Nerve compression
- Mineral depletion
- Some medicines used to lower cholesterol
- Some medical problems that can cause it, such as-
- Thyroid Problems
- Kidney Problems
- Nerve disorders
- Hormone disorders
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Anemia
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
- Sudden, harshly painful tightening of a muscle/ tenderness and firmness of the involved muscle
- Disturbances of the function of the involved extremity e.g. difficulty in writing or grasping (if hand muscle is affected) or, difficulty walking (if muscles of the calf or foot are affected).
- A muscle that is hard
- In severe cases- soreness and swelling
- In some cases, visible twitching of the muscle
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