![]() Medication – some medications can be helpful to control muscle cramps.Icepack – in cases of severe cramp, an icepack applied for a few minutes may help the muscle to relax.If you are unsure how to stretch leg muscles, see your physiotherapist for advice. Stretch and massage – lengthen the cramping muscle using a gentle, sustained stretch then lightly massage the area until the cramp subsides.There has been very little research done to work out which treatment works best but treatment options include: Most muscle cramps resolve after a few seconds or minutes. These drugs can interfere with the body’s mineral balance and contribute to cramping. Medications – some medical conditions require the regular use of fluid pills (diuretics).In some cases, the irritated nerve may prompt the associated muscles to contract. Sciatica – pain in the buttock and leg caused by pressure on nerves in the lower back.Muscles are more likely to cramp if their blood supply is inadequate. Atherosclerosis – a condition characterised by narrowed arteries due to the formation of fatty plaques.Muscle cramp associated with medical conditionsĬertain diseases or conditions may increase the risk of muscle cramp, including: Wearing high-heeled shoes for lengthy periods.Dehydration – caused by, for example, a bout of gastroenteritis.The exact cause of muscle cramp is not known, but risk factors may include: Tetany is a special form of cramping – it can be brought on by overbreathing, which results in a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Inadequate diet, dehydration, vomiting and diarrhoea are just some of the factors that are thought to disturb the body’s balance of minerals and electrolytes, and make muscles more susceptible to cramping. Some of these important substances include calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Muscle tissue relies, in part, on a range of minerals, electrolytes and other chemicals in order to contract and relax. ![]() Sudden sensation of uncontrollable and painful spasms in the muscle.Regular cramping or severe cramping that lasts longer than a few minutes should always be investigated by your doctor. ![]() The exact cause of cramp is unknown but risk factors may include poor physical condition, mineral and electrolyte imbalances and tight, inflexible muscles.Ĭramps are usually harmless but may sometimes be symptomatic of an underlying medical disorder, such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). ![]() A cramp can last for varying periods of time and generally resolves by itself. Any muscle can be affected, but the muscles of the calf and foot are particularly prone. Regular calf-stretching exercises may help to reduce cramps but may not completely stop them from happening.A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to ease muscle soreness after a cramp, but they will not help when it's happening as they take too long to work. Stretching and massaging the muscle may ease the pain during a cramp, although most cramps go away without you doing anything. Things you can do about leg cramps yourself During a cramp muscles in the feet or the thighs (less often)Īfter the cramp has stopped, the muscle might feel sore for up to 24 hours.calf muscle, below the knee at the back of the leg.The cramps can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes. Leg cramps happen when a muscle in the leg tightens and causes a sudden pain that can make it hard to move. They can happen at any time, but most people have them at night or when resting. Leg cramps are common, usually harmless and only last a short time. ![]()
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