A painful involuntary spasm in the muscles, in which the muscle may stay contracted for some time.
Painful, often spasmodic, uncontrollable tightening of a muscle (e.g., in the calf), usually relieved by pulling the end of the affected part (e.g., the foot) in the opposite direction, stretching the involved muscle; pain resembling a muscular cramp.
A sudden, painful spasm in a muscle due to an excessive and prolonged contraction of the muscle fibers. Common causes include overuse, muscle stress, and dehydration. Exercise-related cramps usually occur during or immediately after workouts, due to muscle fiber damage and a buildup of chemicals such as lactic acid. Less common causes of cramps include overuse, as in writer’s cramp; an inadequate blood supply, which may be due to arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries); compression of nerves in the spine; potassium loss (possibly due to diuretic medications); and pregnancy. Any unexplained cramp that is not relieved by simple self-care measures should be evaluated by a doctor.
Prolonged painful contraction of a muscle. It is sometimes caused by an imbalance of the salts in the body, but is more often a result of fatigue, imperfect posture, or stress. Spasm in the muscles making it impossible to perform a specific task but allowing the use of these muscles for any other movement is called occupational cramp. It most often affects the hand muscles for writing ( writer’s cramp).
A pain, usually sudden and intermittent, of almost any area of the body, especially abdominal and pelvic viscera.
A distressing occurrence characterized by a painful spasm within a muscle arises from excessive and prolonged contraction of its fibers. The affected muscle may exhibit hardness and tenderness. Cramps frequently manifest as a consequence of heightened muscular activity, leading to an accumulation of lactic acid and other chemicals within the muscles, which, in turn, causes localized damage to muscle fibers. Activities involving repetitive movements, such as writing or assuming awkward sitting or lying positions, can also trigger cramps. Additionally, profuse sweating can precipitate cramps, as the loss of sodium salts disrupts the normal functioning of muscle cells.
Providing relief can often be achieved by massaging or gently stretching the muscles affected by cramps. In cases of recurrent night cramps, a medication containing calcium or quinine may be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms. It’s worth noting that sudden, recurrent pain in a muscle without muscle hardness may be indicative of peripheral vascular disease, a condition affecting the blood vessels outside the heart and brain. Seeking medical attention is advisable to properly diagnose and address such symptoms.
A sudden and painful muscle contraction, often triggered by exposure to cold, such as when swimming, or in individuals unaccustomed to intense physical activity. It can also manifest in the midst of severe underlying medical conditions, where the presence of the illness can obscure the cramping symptom. Nighttime muscle cramps, unrelated to any underlying condition, can afflict certain individuals when they stretch their feet downward in bed, causing the calf muscles to involuntarily contract. To alleviate this type of cramp, a solution often involves a warm bed, propping the feet up on a pillow placed at the foot of the bed, and taking a quinine tablet before going to sleep, which typically provides relief.