Muscle cramps are abrupt and involuntary contractions in one or more muscles of the body. Generally, cramps occur during/after exercise or during night, lasting only for a few seconds/minutes. It is one of the most common muscle problems faced by people across the world. Following are the causes and types of muscle cramps:
Use Induced Cramps:
Generally, this type of cramp is experienced by athletes. They either experience the cramp during, immediately after or several hours after the exercise or performance. When muscles are fatigued, then they are highly susceptible to cramping. Putting excessive pressure on a particular muscle often leads to muscle cramp.
Lack of Use:
Not using muscles for many minutes or hours can also lead to fatigue. If you sit, extend your limbs, lay, position a particular muscle abnormally, or hold them for a long duration, then you are prone to getting muscle cramps. Many individuals are susceptible to cramps during their sleeping hours. This is especially applicable amongst elderly individuals.
Injury Cramps:
In some cases, cramps or spasms take place when we are injured. These cramps are part of our body's defense mechanism as a response to the injury. By cramping injured muscles, body stops us from further action because even injured muscles can be additionally damaged.
Dehydration related cramp:
Dehydration is one of the prime causes of cramps. During summer season, body looses fluid in the form sweat and breathing (moisture lost while breathing). Lack of fluid in the body eventually leads to cramp.
Diseases:
Individuals who are undergoing dialysis or kidney failure often experience cramps. As a result of some disease or condition, there is fluid shift or fluid aberration, resulting in cramp.
Deficiency of Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium:
When vital minerals such as calcium and magnesium are depleted, body's balance mechanism is affected on various levels. It can considerably affect circulatory system. This can solely cause fluid shifts.
How to get rid of Muscle Cramps?
If you are looking out for muscle cramps remedies, then below-mentioned tips would be immensely helpful.
Apply Ice: You can apply ice for numbing pain through cramp and inflammation, thereby allowing muscle to relax. Ideally, you can apply this technique along with stretching for best results. In case of foot muscle cramps, you can even consider stepping on a cold surface with bare foot.
Stretching: Stretch the affected muscle region. You can either perform it alone or take someone's assistance for the same. Avoid stretching a muscle with an acute injury, as it can worsen the condition.
Rubbing balms: You can apply pain-relieving balm to loosen the muscle. Similar to ice, pain-relieving balms help in relaxation of the muscles and dissipation of cramp.
Fluid Consumption: The causes of muscle cramps in leg might vary, but one of the most popular methods to deal with the problem is consumption of fluid.
Cramps can be extremely painful and excruciating in nature, but the good news is that you can not only get rid of cramps, but also avoid them. If you avoid exerting excessive pressure on muscles and keep your body hydrated at all times, then muscle cramps won't bother you.
About The Author : Xanthias Bolton works as an health expert under MedStoreRx. Its an healthcare pharmacy site which deals in generic drugs like Tadlis, Super P Force, Generic Levitra etc. and many other drugs.