All You Needed to Know About Muscle Cramps

What are muscle cramps? A painful involuntary contraction felt in a part or the whole of a muscle, which can last from a few seconds to minutes.

What causes muscle cramps?

There are no known causes. Probable causes are:

1. Electrolyte imbalance
2. Heat
3. Reduced blood circulation to affected areas
4. Over-exercise
5. Other underlying disease conditions

Who is at higher risk?

1. Elderly people above 65 years of age
2. Pregnant women
3. People with respiratory complaints
4. Athletes and sports persons
5. People with renal and heart conditions
6. People living in hot climatic conditions
7. Sleep apnoea with snoring can be a probable cause
8. People with diabetes, liver cirrhosis, neuropathies etc.

It commonly occurs at night during sleep.

Management

Stretching, heat application and deep massage. Despite the fact that muscle cramps are painful and debilitating, most of the time they are not a sign of a serious condition.