Cramp treatment

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.

Causes and treatment

There are a figure of factors that contribute to muscle cramps and spasms, the main ones being the poor flexibility and tight muscles, muscle fatigue and overuse, dehydration, and electrolyte and mineral depletion. A numeral of other factors include working or exercising in high heat and humidity, inadequate blood supply, injury or muscle strain and excessive use of alcohol, drugs and medication. Muscle cramps and spasms will generally go away on their own but there are a few important steps you can take to decrease the severity and duration of them. You just have to discontinue the activity that triggered the cramp in the first place. Then quietly stretch the effected muscle or muscle group. Always stay the effected areas moving with light activity and gentle massage. Always carry on applying heat and massage to help promote blood flow.

Prevention

One of the most helpful things you can do to help prevent muscle cramps and spasms is to work on improving your overall general health and fitness. Improving your cardiovascular fitness will get better the delivery of blood to your muscles, which will ensure that they have adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Another key activity that will assist to prevent cramps and spasms is stretching. Keeping your muscles loose and flexible will help to discontinue them from tightening up and cramping. Be sure to stretch the muscles groups that are most flat to cramping both before and after exercise or strenuous physical activity. The other significant activity that is very effective in helping to prevent cramp is ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte replenishment. In universal you should be consuming at least 8 to 10 glasses of filtered water a day and more if you're involved in strenuous physical activity or live and work in high heat and humidity.

Recommended Reading:

1. Learning about muscle cramps - What Are Muscle Cramps? A cramp can be defined as an involuntary and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax....
2. Thigh cramps - Thigh cramps are caused by prolonged spasms, or involuntary contraction of a muscle. Thigh cramps, especially those of the legs,...
3. Are You Suffering From Heat Cramps? - Generally, heat cramps can be called as painful, brief muscle cramps wherein the muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Heat...
4. Night cramps - What is the night cramp: most of the people have suffered the pain in the leg at the night which...
5. Lower Back Pain Relief: Use Medications Sparingly And Maintain Correct Posture - One could experience lower back pain due to any number of reasons including muscle strains or spasms, ligament sprains as...