Monday 9 February 2015

what causes muscle cramps

Muscle cramps; Causes, How to Overcome and Prevent

Cramps are painful muscle spasm (spasm / stiffness) that are generally common in the legs due muscle contraction too hard. The most frequent cramps in the calf muscles are under, behind the knees, and toes. However, not infrequently also experienced muscle cramps in the neck area, when one shaking his head (neck muscles become interested / tighten). Painful cramps may last a few seconds to minutes with varying severity.

On the leg cramps, usually occurs when we walk, exercise (such as swimming, doing other sports activities), resting, even probably asleep. Parents are more often affected than younger people cramps, besides pregnant women also often experience cramping calf, when the pregnancy is entering the final trimester. In some parents, cramps could even happen every day.

Muscle Cramps Causes How to Overcome and Prevent.

Muscle Cramps Causes
In general, the cause of cramps is unknown (idiopathic). While experts argue that cramps occur when the muscle is stimulated to contract already in a position to contractions. This happens when we sleep with half-bent knee position, and soles of the feet slightly pointing downwards. In this position the calf muscle a little unhinged and prone to cramps. That's why flexing movement before bed can prevent it.

In some cases, cramps occur because of problems or other conditions, for example:
  • Several types of medications can give side effects such as cramping. This class of drugs include: diuretics, nifedipine, cimetidine, salbutamol, statins, terbutaline, lithium, clofibrate, penicillamine, phenothiazines, and nicotinic acid.
  • Dehydration
  • Substance salt imbalance in the blood (eg, calcium or potassium levels are too low)
  • Pregnancy, especially in the last trimester
  • Underactive thyroid gland
  • Narrowing of the leg arteries that inhibit circulation
  • Nerves Disorders
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
In the above conditions, the cramps are just one of several other symptoms. If there are no other symptoms, most likely cramps are idiopathic and not because of the conditions above. The things that cause cramps others are:
  • Muscle fatigue
  • The use of excessive muscle
  • Lack of body electrolytes (Ca and K) due out through sweat     
  • The buildup of lactic acid (results in muscle metabolism)
  • Disruption of muscle tissue oxygenation
  • Disruption of blood circulation to the muscle tissue
Muscle Cramps Treatment

Relaxation movements (stretching) and massage can usually relieve the cramps. Pain-reducing medication is usually not useful for not working fast enough. However, such a pain-reducing paracetamol may be useful to relieve pain and muscle weakness sometimes still take up to 24 hours after the loss of cramps.

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