Muscle Cramps In Legs
The muscle in legs are made up of bundles of fibers that alternately contract and expend to effect movement. A cramp is a sudden, involuntary contraction (tightening) of one of these muscles, typically in calf. It can last anytime from a few seconds to several minutes. They can be mild, or intense enough to wake you out of a sound sleep. A sudden, painful muscle spasm in the leg is called a "Charley Horse", which legend has it is named after Baseball player Charlie ' Hoss' Radbourn, who suffered from frequent cramps back in 1880s.
There is no certain cause for a cramp. Exercise is a common trigger, especially after you have exercised for a long period or in the heat. Muscles that are tired or dehydrated become irritated and are more likely to cramp up. A deficiency of electrolytes such as Magnesium or Potassium in the diet can lead to more frequent cramping, by preventing muscles from fully relaxation. The risk of a cramp increases during pregnancy, possibly due to circulatory changes and increased stress on the muscles from a growing belly. Age is another factor, with cramps becoming more frequent in middle age and beyond. Older muscles tire more easily and they become increasingly sensitive to lower fluid volumes in the body. Cramps can also be the side effects of medicines like Statins, which are used to treat High Cholesterol.
Symptoms of Cramps
- Sudden pain and tightness in a muscle, typically in calf.
- A temporary hard lump or twitching under the skin.
Treatment of Muscle Cramps
Most cramps will go away on their within few seconds to minutes. Stretching or Massaging the muscle will help it relax. Heat is soothing to tend muscles. Apply a heating pad or warm wet wash
cloth to help loosen up the muscle.
To avoid such cramps in future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Muscles need fluid to contract and relax properly. Do another set of stretches before bed if you tend to get cramps while you sleep.
For cramps that are especially severe, frequent or disruptive to sleep, a prescription muscle relaxant
like - Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Metaxalone (Skelaxin) or Methocarbemol (Robaxin) may help.
Following Symptom Guide will guide to decipher what broader problems leg pain might suggest -
SYMPTOM POSSIBILTIES
1) Leg Cramps - Dehydration
2) Calf Pain During Activity - Atherosclerosis
3) Pain, Burning, Tingling,Numbness - Diabetes
4) Leg Swelling - Heart, Kidney or Liver Disease
------------------
There is no certain cause for a cramp. Exercise is a common trigger, especially after you have exercised for a long period or in the heat. Muscles that are tired or dehydrated become irritated and are more likely to cramp up. A deficiency of electrolytes such as Magnesium or Potassium in the diet can lead to more frequent cramping, by preventing muscles from fully relaxation. The risk of a cramp increases during pregnancy, possibly due to circulatory changes and increased stress on the muscles from a growing belly. Age is another factor, with cramps becoming more frequent in middle age and beyond. Older muscles tire more easily and they become increasingly sensitive to lower fluid volumes in the body. Cramps can also be the side effects of medicines like Statins, which are used to treat High Cholesterol.
Symptoms of Cramps
- Sudden pain and tightness in a muscle, typically in calf.
- A temporary hard lump or twitching under the skin.
Treatment of Muscle Cramps
Most cramps will go away on their within few seconds to minutes. Stretching or Massaging the muscle will help it relax. Heat is soothing to tend muscles. Apply a heating pad or warm wet wash
cloth to help loosen up the muscle.
To avoid such cramps in future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Muscles need fluid to contract and relax properly. Do another set of stretches before bed if you tend to get cramps while you sleep.
For cramps that are especially severe, frequent or disruptive to sleep, a prescription muscle relaxant
like - Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Metaxalone (Skelaxin) or Methocarbemol (Robaxin) may help.
Following Symptom Guide will guide to decipher what broader problems leg pain might suggest -
SYMPTOM POSSIBILTIES
1) Leg Cramps - Dehydration
2) Calf Pain During Activity - Atherosclerosis
3) Pain, Burning, Tingling,Numbness - Diabetes
4) Leg Swelling - Heart, Kidney or Liver Disease
------------------
Comments