Cramps

Cramps are sudden, hard contractions that occur in muscles in different parts of the body. It makes you feel pain and you can’t know when it will happen. It mostly occurs in the calf muscles. muscles at the back of the thigh or the muscles on the front of the thigh.

Cramps may occur for no apparent reason. Or it may be caused by intense exercise, congenital disease, and the use of certain medications. Cramps usually go away on their own in a short time. Stretching the muscles and compressing the cramped area will help it heal faster.

Symptoms of cramps

Most symptoms of cramps occur in the legs , especially the calves. In addition to the sudden pain You may feel your muscles tense or see a hard lump forming under your skin.

Normally, cramps will go away on their own and are not severe enough to require medical attention. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor. for further accurate diagnosis and treatment

• feeling intense pain and symptoms do not improve after taking care of yourself
• Legs are swollen, red, or have skin changes
• muscle weakness
• Frequent cramps 

Causes of cramps

The cause of the cramps is not yet known. There are both types of cramps that occur without any known cause and those that have a common cause.

A type of cramp that occurs spontaneously for no apparent reason.

The exact cause of this type of cramp is unknown. It is thought that this may be caused by various factors such as abnormal nerve activity during sleep. excessive muscle tension This can cause temporary cramps. and the inability of blood to flow to the muscles normally

Additionally, tendons that shrink in older people can cause cramps. These tendons connect muscles to bones. If the tendon contracts too much, it may cause the muscle to cramp.

Types of cramps that have a common cause

This type of cramp is usually caused by lifestyle habits, chronic diseases, and the use of certain medications, including:

• Exercise  , where cramps usually occur while resting after exercise .
• Conditions related to the nervous system, such as peripheral neuropathy
• Liver disease, if the liver is not working properly It causes toxins to enter the bloodstream. This can cause muscles to spasm or contract.
• Kidney disease  can cause low levels of certain minerals. and can result in cramps
• Low levels of mineral salts in the body, such as calcium and magnesium.
• diseases that cause Low calcium conditions  , such as parathyroid hormone deficiency
• Infection is caused by infection with certain bacteria, such as tetanus  , which causes cramps and muscle spasms.
• The presence of toxins (Poisonous) in the blood, such as lead  or mercury.
• Dehydration  can trigger muscle cramps.

Some medicines can cause cramps in some people, including:

• Diuretics  , which remove fluid from the body and are used to treat diseases or conditions such as high blood pressure. Heart attack and certain types of kidney disease
• Statins  are used to treat people with high blood cholesterol.
• Nicotinic Acid (Nicotinic Acid) treats people with high cholesterol.
• Raloxifene  is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• Nifedipine  is used to treat chest pain  (angina) or Raynaud  ‘s Phenomenon.

Additionally, other factors that increase your risk of cramps include:

• Age of the elderly who died Once you’ve lost too much muscle mass, the remaining muscles can easily become strained.
• loss of body fluid Athletes who are tired and sweat a lot People who play sports in hot weather are prone to cramps.
• Pregnancy:  Cramps are common in women who are pregnant.
• Congenital disease or medical condition, people with diabetes,  nerve disease Liver or thyroid disease There is a high chance of cramps.

Diagnosing cramps

In diagnosing the cause of cramps The treating doctor will perform a physical examination. and ask about symptoms, such as  how often you have cramps Or does it happen to any muscle? Including exercise habits, drinking little water, and drinking alcohol. and use of medications to treat personal illnesses 

The doctor may then do additional tests, such as a blood test, to look at the levels of potassium and calcium in the blood. Including kidney and thyroid function. pregnancy test Check the muscle electrocardiogram. (Electromyography) to measure muscle function and detect muscle abnormalities. and examine the spinal cord by injection of dye. (Myelography), which helps to see a clearer picture of the spinal cord.

If you have symptoms of fatigue and fatigue. Have pain or feel numb You should inform your doctor. Because these symptoms may be related to abnormalities of the nervous system.

Cramp treatment

Usually, people with cramps can treat their symptoms on their own, such as using hot and cold compresses. To relieve pain in sore muscles, spasms, or muscle spasms. which can be used with a cloth moistened with hot water A heating pad, cool cloth, or ice wrap is applied to the cramping area.

In addition, people who suffer from cramps can be treated with physical exercises, which are of 2 types:

Exercise during cramping to relieve pain and stop cramping.

Stretching or massaging the muscle that is causing the cramp, such as stretching the foot forward and lifting the foot and bending the ankle so that the toes come in towards the shin. And use your heels to walk around in just a few minutes.

Management to prevent cramps

Management to reduce the chance of cramps You should exercise your body to Stretch your muscles 3 times a day, for example if you often have cramps in your calves. Stand 1 meter away from the wall. Lean forward so your hands touch the wall. By placing your feet flat on the floor. Hold for about 5 seconds. Repeat for a total of 5 minutes. For best results, do this 3 times a day.

Your doctor may recommend stretching methods to help reduce the chance of cramps. For example, if cramps occur in your calves. You can use your hands to pull your feet up to stretch your calf muscles. And it is recommended to drink lots of water to prevent the body from becoming dehydrated.

In cases that often occur cramps at night and regularly disturbs while sleeping Medicines may be used to relieve symptoms, such as

• Painkillers if there is continued pain after the cramps occur. Pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may be used to  relieve symptoms.
• Quinine  is a medicine used to treat malaria . And can help reduce the occurrence of cramps to a certain extent. But it may cause side effects such as tinnitus, hearing impairment, headaches, nausea, vision disturbances, dizziness, or hot flashes.

Complications of cramps

Cramps are not a serious complication, but if they are severe they can cause pain or discomfort. If you have cramps with swollen, red legs or skin changes or found to have muscle weakness as well Cramps occur frequently or cannot be cured by itself You should consult a doctor to find out the exact cause.

Prevention of cramps

The easiest way to prevent cramps That is, avoid exercising that causes severe muscle tension. Additionally, there are various ways to help prevent cramps as follows:

• Drink enough water each day. Don’t let your body become dehydrated , especially when exercising.
• Limit your drinking or avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Eat healthy foods rich in calcium,  potassium and magnesium, especially for those who are pregnant .
• Stretch and prepare muscles before playing sports. and various exercises
• You should not exercise immediately after eating.
• Reduce the amount of food and drinks that contain caffeine,  such as coffee and chocolate.

Additionally, you can consult your doctor about taking supplements or vitamins to provide your body with the nutrients it needs. It is another way to prevent cramps.