About Menstrual Cramps -

Menstrual cramps – mild or severe – occur before and / or during the menstrual period and are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness. These may begin 2 or 3 days prior to the start of the menstrual cycle and last till the cycle ends. The contraction of the uterus when the blood flows out of the uterus during the menstrual cycle causes these cramps. Substances called 'prostaglandins' released by the uterus lining during menstruation cause the contractions resulting in the above mentioned symptoms accompanying the cramps. Pain is usually experienced in the abdomen and back. Cramps may not be seen during the first menstrual cycle and once when the cycles become regular, the hormone system develops fully, the cramps can get more severe.

Generally, heat cramps can be called as painful, brief muscle cramps wherein the muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Heat cramps may occur during exercise or work in a hot environment or they may start a few hours later. Heat cramps mostly involve muscles that are fatigued by heavy work like calves, thighs, and shoulders. One is most at risk if one is doing work or activities in a hot environment–mostly during the first few days of an activity to which one is not used to. One is also at risk if one sweats a great deal during exercise and drinks large amounts of water or other fluids that lack salt. The symptoms of heat cramps are muscle spasms, painful, involuntary, brief, intermittent and usually self-limited (go away on their own).

If one is trying to get pregnant, the time you'll be most fertile begins one day prior to the day you ovulate and lasts for three days after you ovulate. Ovulation is the procedure by which your body releases one or more eggs from your ovary. If the egg is fertilized and productively implants, you're pregnant. There are numerous signs that could indicate you're ovulating. Learn to identify these changes, and you can boost the odds of getting pregnant by having sexual intercourse during this optimal time. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), without delay following ovulation most women experience a slight but detectable rise in their normal body temperature. By monitoring your basal body temperature first thing in the morning ahead of you rise on a daily basis, and tracking the results on a basal body temperature chart, it's possible to determine that ovulation has occurred. Though, conditions such as fever, restless sleep, and exertion can affect the accuracy of the temperature readings.

One may feel no more than a fleeting discomfort from your period, or you could be doubled up by it. Generally the pain comes in cramp-like spasms. It could start in the inferior abdomen, and may radiate up the spine and down the legs, or center in your lower back. If you get it actually badly you may feel dizzy or nauseous, and get diarrhea or vomit. If this occurs you should go and see your doctor. Most women find the pain generally comes on a few hours before their periods start and begins to ease once the flow begins. But in a few, pain continues into the next and even the third day of their period. Each month the lining of the uterus builds up in training for a possible pregnancy. If a pregnancy occurs, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the inside layer to be nourished as it develops into a baby.

During a woman's menstrual cycle, changes take place in the body that can trigger painful cramping, mood swings, and many other symptoms. As every woman is different, no single treatment effectively relieves all PMS symptoms in all women. Premenstrual syndrome is a badly understood complex of symptoms occurring a week to ten days before the start of each menstrual cycle. When that time of the month comes closer, several women dread the onset of PMS. In medical terms, PMS, or premenstrual stress syndrome, is characterized by a series of symptoms that come out just prior to menstrual bleeding during the menstrual cycle. PMS symptoms comprise irritability, depression, mood swings, and cramping. Menstrual cramping during PMS is one of the most discomforting symptoms, and there is a diversity of treatments for women that are helpful in this and other PMS-related conditions.

Muscle cramp and spasm are a bothersome condition that involves a sudden, involuntary contraction and tightening of a muscle that will not immediately relax. Muscle cramps and spasms can grip part or all of a muscle, or a number of muscles within a muscle group and even though a spasm or cramp can occur in just about any muscle. The most familiar muscle groups affected are, the lower leg and calf muscles, the upper leg, including the hamstrings and quadriceps, the feet and hands. Muscle cramps and spasms can variety in intensity from a slight twitch to a severe, agonizing contraction. They can last wherever from a few seconds to over 15 minutes and can generally be seen visibly by the way the muscle twitches and moves under the skin.

What is an abdominal cramp?

The pain, especially due to contraction of a muscle that occurs in the abdomen region of the body. It is also called belly ache or abdominal pain.

About abdominal cramp -
It may occur in any organ of the abdomen, in any digestion related organ like stomach, small or large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, aorta (the large blood vessel running down inside the abdomen), appendix or kidneys. It may even start in some other region like the chest or pelvic region. The intensity of the abdominal pain may differ as per the causes. Mild cramps may be caused due to gas or cramp of viral gastroenteritis. In some life threatening conditions like colon cancer or appendicitis in its early stage, there may be a mild pain or no pain at all.

By endometriosis biopsy I'm guessing you mean an endometrial biopsy, a test in which the doctor inserts a small device through the cervix into the uterine cavity in order to get a taster of the uterine lining tissue. An endometrial biopsy does not diagnose endometriosis. The only way to diagnose endometriosis for certain is to perform a laparoscopy, a surgical procedure in which the doctor inserts a telescope through a tiny slit in your belly button to view your pelvic organs directly. Severe pains and cramps around the time of your period can be because of endometriosis, a condition in which the uterine lining tissue gets outside the uterine cavity, lands in places in doesn't belong and causes pain.

The menstrual cramps are medically termed as dysmenorrhea. The rupturing of the ovarian follicle begins the menstrual cycle. This is under the effect of the hormone estrogen. There is another hormone, which is functioning called the Proglandins, which causes a certain amount of the swellings.

The types;
There are majority two types; the Primary and the Secondary.
The primary is caused by the regulation of the Proglandins.These result in the pain and inflammations in the uterine walls. This triggers the uterine contractions also.

Ovulation is a stage of the female menstrual cycle, which involves the release of an egg from one of the ovaries. For most women, ovulation takes place about once every month until menopause, apart from episodes of pregnancy and breastfeeding. About one in five women experience pain and discomfort all through ovulation. The duration of the pain varies from one woman to the after that, but ranges from a few minutes to 48 hours. In most cases, ovulation pain doesn't mean that whatever thing is wrong. However, brutal pain may sometimes be symptomatic of gynecological conditions including endometriosis. See your doctor if your ovulation cramp lasts longer than three days or is associated with other unusual menstrual symptoms, such as heavy bleeding. Ovulation cramp is also known as mid-cycle pain and mittelschmerz.

What Are Muscle Cramps?

A cramp can be defined as an involuntary and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. Cramps may affect any muscle under your voluntary control that is skeletal muscle. Muscles that span two joints are the ones that are most prone to cramping. Cramps can involve a part or all of muscle, or even several muscles in a group. The most commonly affected muscle groups are back of lower leg/calf, back of thigh (hamstrings) and front of thigh (quadriceps). Also, cramps in the feet, hands, arms, abdomen and along the rib cage are very common.

A side ache or cramp, also sometimes known as a stitch, is a spasm in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that stretches across your chest cavity below your lungs. It expands downwards when we inhale as well as contracts upwards when we exhale. Stitches can take place when we run too fast or breathe rapidly without getting enough air into our lungs during inhalation, or when we don't expel enough air during exhalation. Side cramps are not caused by a lack of potassium or dehydration, as leg cramps frequently are. When we exercise at an ease pace and can carry on a conversation, breathing is rarely a problem. As our pace increases, we need more oxygen furthermore our breathing becomes more rapid. Pressing on your side can assist to relieve the discomfort of a cramp, but learning a technique called 'belly breathing' is a way to counteract stitches and prevent them from occurring.

There are many probable reasons for this, one of them being restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome, mainly at night, is not uncommon. The legs will tickle or go into spasm. Moving them brings only brief relief. Seconds or minutes later, the tempting urge to move returns back. It can be so maddening that it hinders sleep and causes frequent waking. The restlessness is linked with twitching leg muscles, though this is not always obvious.

Cause of toe cramps

Cramps and Neck Cramps

A cramp is a painful, unpleasant sensation that is caused due to the contraction of muscles. They can be caused due to cold, overexertion, and illness or poisoning.

There are two main causes of cramp – inadequate oygenation of the muscles and the lack of water or salt.

Neck Cramps

Neck (also called cervical spine) comprises of vertebrae beginning in the upper torso and ending at the base of the skull. The bony vertebrae and the ligaments support the spine and the muscles along this area helps in supporting and easy motion. Since the neck supports the head and is has lesser support compared to other areas of spine, injuries in this area happen easily and more often. There may be temporary pains or permanent neck injuries.

A stomach cramp is the most common type of cramp. It is experienced by many people. It is typically a squeezing pain occurring over a span of period ranging from a few minutes to hours sometimes. The origin of the pain is the stomach region and the area around it but at times it may originate somewhere else and then gradually move up to the stomach. They are usually associated with the digestive disorders, but there may be other causes as well. Diarrhea, constipation, a viral infection, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, lactose intolerance, even food poisoning are some of the other causes.

Thigh cramps are caused by prolonged spasms, or involuntary contraction of a muscle. Thigh cramps, especially those of the legs, are extremely common, more so in the elderly. Although not dangerous to health, in some cases they may be symptoms of an underlying problem. Treatment is usually massage and stretching and adequate fluid intake, although in cases where cramps are frequent, medication may be recommended. A thigh cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. Any of the muscles under voluntary control can cramp. Cramps of the extremities are very common. Especially, the legs and feet, and particularly the calf are also the cause of thigh cramps. When a thigh muscle involuntarily contracts, it is called a spasm and becomes a cramp when the spasm is forceful and sustained.

What is the night cramp: most of the people have suffered the pain in the leg at the night which generally occurs when you are sleeping. The night cramp is really painful. A night cramp is a pain that generally occurs in the night which is due to the muscle spasm when a muscle contacts too hard. Leg cramps usually occur at the time of resting and most commonly at night when in bed that is why it is called the night cramps. This type of cramps normally occurs in the calf muscles, below and behind a knee. The small muscles of the feet are sometimes affected. This pain usually lasts a few minutes. In some cases it lasts just seconds, but in some cases it can last up to 10 minutes. (They are often called night cramps.) They may wake you from sleep. It can become a distressing condition if your sleep is regularly disturbed. The muscle can stay tendered for up to 24 hours after the night cramp.

The vagina is the small tubular opening into the female reproductive organs. This is normally protected by two bi-libbed openings called Labio-majora and Labio-Minora. This normally leads into the uterine contractions and causes the disjunction of the cervical region. This could be in the worst of the faces during the pregnancy. These could also arise during the menstruation.

Your feet may hurt as you have been wearing shoes that are too tight, lack support, or have high heels. Or may be you just have not had a probability to sit down all day. Wearing good footwear and taking a break might be all you require to do to relieve your foot pain. Some probable causes of toe, foot, and ankle pain include, obvious injury, overuse. Injuries from overuse are not always noticeable. These types of injuries take place when too much stress is repeatedly placed on your foot or ankle. Instances of overuse injuries include Achilles tendinitis or tendinosis, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures.

Pain felt in your lower back may come up to from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other structures in that region. It may also exude from other areas like your mid or upper back, a hernia in the groin, or a problem in the testicles or ovaries. One may feel a diversity of symptoms if you've hurt your back. One may have a itchy or burning sensation, a dull aching, or sharp pain. You also may experience flaw in your legs or feet. It won't of necessity be one event that actually causes your pain. One may have been doing many things rudely like standing, sitting, or lifting for a long time. Then abruptly, one simple movement, like reaching for something in the shower or bending from your waist, leads to the feeling of pain.

Introduction

Nocturnal leg cramps also called leg cramps, muscle tightness of the leg, muscle hardness, nocturnal leg pain, or Charley-horse are painful, unpleasant sensations occurring due to tightness or tension in the muscles, usually the calves or sometimes in the feet or the sole of the feet during sleep. These may last for a few minutes. These are usually seen in the elderly and among pregnant women.

Symptoms of Nocturnal Leg Cramps

The most common symptoms are painful sensation in the legs or calves, awakening frequently from sleep, discomfort in the legs.

More about Nocturnal Leg Cramps -

Tender, swollen breasts or nipples

One of the primary physical changes of pregnancy is a change in the way your breasts feel. They may sense tender, tingly or sore. Or they may feel fuller and heavier. As early as two weeks after beginning, your breasts start to grow and change in preparation for producing milk. The main cause of these changes is increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Changes in your breasts are frequently most dramatic when you're pregnant for the first time.

Fatigue

Calf cramps can escort to be a killer. So there are many a ways by which we can take away this cramp or can eliminate it. They may be a good warm up, train hard, run easy, water is sport's lifeblood, and sports a'int no cat walks, and eats properly. If not, then those cramps could be pending. Gravely, if you have been involved in any sport to any level, then you will be aware of the importance of a proper warm up. And I don't just mean a fast walk up the stairs to the changing room either.

Body cramps are throbbing, brief muscle cramps. Muscles may spasm or jerk unwillingly. Body cramps can transpire during exercise or work in a hot environment or begin a few hours later. Body cramps generally involve muscles that are fatigued by heavy work such as calves, thighs, and shoulders. One is most at danger if you are doing work or activities in a hot environment generally during the first few days of an activity you're not used to. One is also at jeopardy if you sweat a great deal during exercise and drink large amounts of water or other fluids that lack salt. The exact reason of heat cramps is unknown. They are probably connected to electrolyte problems. Diverse essential minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, are known as electrolytes. They experience chemical changes in your tissues. An imbalance can root problems.

For most women, menstrual cramps generally start 1 to 2 days before they start their periods and go away as their bleeding diminishes. Cramping that starts 5 to 7 days before menstruation begins is not characteristic for most women and may be caused by a problem such as endometriosis or an ovarian cyst. It is strange for cramping to continue after your period has ended. This may be an indication of a pelvic infection. While acute pelvic pain is rare during pregnancy, the fact that pregnancies are frequent makes this category an often encountered medical problem. Clinical miscarriages causing important pain are associated with one out of every 7 to 8 pregnancies. Ectopic and molar pregnancies are less recurrent but still seen. They are severe problems and always must be considered.