Muscle Cramps: Common Causes, Relief and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus describes a muscle cramp as a muscle that tightens without you trying to tighten it and does not relax. A cramp may involve all or part of one or more muscles, and the cramping muscle may feel hard or bulging. Cramps are common and may be stopped by stretching the muscle. They are different from muscle twitches.

Who this is for

• Adults with cramps that keep coming back or last a long time
• Patients whose cramps do not go away with simple stretching
• Patients who cramp during exercise, in hot weather, or after vomiting or diarrhea
• Patients who take medicines or have a thyroid or kidney condition and have started cramping

What to expect

• Questions about which muscles cramp, how often, how long they last, and what seems to trigger them
• A review of your medicines, fluids, exercise, and any recent vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating
• A plain explanation of whether the pattern fits an ordinary cramp or needs testing
• A plan that may include blood tests, a change in habits, or a medicine for severe cramps

Where cramps strike

MedlinePlus says the most commonly involved muscle groups are the back of the lower leg (the calf), the back of the thigh (the hamstrings), and the front of the thigh (the quadriceps). Cramps in the feet, hands, arms, abdomen, and along the rib cage are also common. Because the calf is the usual spot, cramps are often confused with the swelling and heaviness that the leg swelling evaluation explains.

Common triggers

MedlinePlus says cramps often occur when a muscle is overused or injured. Working out without enough fluids, or when levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium, or calcium are low, can also make you more likely to cramp. Cramps can happen while playing tennis or golf, bowling, swimming, or doing any other exercise. It says the most common cause of cramps during sports is not getting enough fluids, and the stomach flu and dehydration guide explains how fluid loss builds up when you are sick. Cramps during or after time in the heat can be the first stage of heat illness, as the heat exhaustion and heat stroke guide explains.

Medical causes on the list

MedlinePlus says muscle cramps can also be triggered by:

• Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid
• Kidney failure
• Alcoholism
• Certain medicines
• Menstruation or pregnancy

What helps during a cramp

MedlinePlus says to stop the activity and try stretching and massaging the muscle. Heat will relax the muscle when the spasm begins, and ice may help once the pain has improved. If the muscle is still sore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can help with pain, and if the cramps are severe your provider can prescribe other medicines.

Cutting down on cramps

MedlinePlus suggests exercising within your ability, drinking plenty of fluids while exercising, stretching to improve flexibility, and getting enough potassium, with orange juice and bananas as examples. It notes that water alone does not always help, and that salt tablets or sports drinks, which also replace lost minerals, can be helpful.

Signs you should be seen

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if your muscle cramps:

• Are severe
• Do not go away with simple stretching
• Keep coming back
• Last a long time

What a visit involves

MedlinePlus says your provider examines you and asks when the spasms began, how long and how often they last, which muscles are affected, whether they are always in the same place, what medicines you take, and about exercise, alcohol, pregnancy, and dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating. Blood tests may check calcium, potassium, or magnesium, kidney function, and thyroid function. The basic metabolic panel guide and the kidney function tests guide explain two of them.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Muscle cramps