A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. If you've ever been awakened in the night or stopped in your tracks by a sudden charley horse, you know that muscle cramps can cause severe pain. Though generally harmless, muscle cramps can make it temporarily impossible to use the affected muscle.

Long periods of exercise or physical labor, particularly in hot weather, can lead to muscle cramps. Some medications and certain medical conditions also may cause muscle cramps. You usually can treat muscle cramps at home with self-care measures

Symptoms

Most muscle cramps develop in the leg muscles, particularly in the calf. Besides the sudden, sharp pain, you might also feel or see a hard lump of muscle tissue beneath your skin.

When to see a doctor

Muscle cramps usually disappear on their own and are rarely serious enough to require medical care. However, see your doctor if your cramps:

• Cause severe discomfort
• Are associated with leg swelling, redness or skin changes
• Are associated with muscle weakness
• Happen frequently
• Don't improve with self-care
• Aren't associated with an obvious cause, such as strenuous exercise

Causes

Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period can cause a muscle cramp. In many cases, however, the cause isn't known.

Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as:

• Inadequate blood supply. Narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to your legs (arteriosclerosis of the extremities) can produce cramp-like pain in your legs and feet while you're exercising. These cramps usually go away soon after you stop exercising.
• Nerve compression.Compression of nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) also can produce cramp-like pain in your legs. The pain usually worsens the longer you walk. Walking in a slightly flexed position — such as you would use when pushing a shopping cart ahead of you — may improve or delay the onset of your symptoms.
• Mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals.

Risk factors

Factors that might increase your risk of muscle cramps include:

• Age. Older people lose muscle mass, so the remaining muscle can get overstressed more easily.
• Dehydration. Athletes who become fatigued and dehydrated while participating in warm-weather sports frequently develop muscle cramps.
• Pregnancy. Muscle cramps also are common during pregnancy.
• Medical conditions. You might be at higher risk of muscle cramps if you have diabetes, or nerve, liver or thyroid disorders.

  Muscle cramps are when a muscle gets tight (contracts) without you trying to tighten it, and it does not relax. Cramps may involve all or part of one or more muscles.

  The most commonly involved muscle groups are:

  ·         Back of the lower leg/calf

  ·         Back of the thigh (hamstrings)

  ·         Front of the thigh (quadriceps)

  Cramps in the feet, hands, arms, abdomen, and along the rib cage are also very common.

  Muscle cramps are common and may be stopped by stretching the muscle. The cramping muscle may feel hard or bulging.

  Considerations

  Muscle cramps are different than muscle twitches, which are covered in a separate article.

  Causes

  Muscle cramps are common and often occur when a muscle is overused or injured. Working out when you have not had enough fluids (dehydration) or when you have low levels of minerals such as potassium or calcium can also make you more likely to have a muscle spasm.

  Muscle cramps can occur while you play tennis or golf, bowl, swim, or do any other exercise.

  They can also be triggered by:

  ·         Alcoholism

  ·         Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

  ·         Kidney failure

  ·         Medications

  ·         Menstruation

  ·         Pregnancy

  Home Care

  If you have a muscle cramp, stop your activity and try stretching and massaging the muscle.

  Heat will relax the muscle when the spasm begins, but ice may be helpful when the pain has improved.

  If the muscle is still sore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can help with pain. If the muscle cramps are severe, your health care provider can prescribe other medicines.

  The most common cause of muscle cramps during sports activity is not getting enough fluids. Often, drinking water will ease the cramping. However, water alone does not always help. Salt tablets or sports drinks, which also replenish lost minerals, can be helpful.

  Other tips for relieving muscle cramps:

  ·         Change your workouts so that you are exercising within your ability.

  ·         Drink plenty of fluids while exercising and increase your potassium intake (orange juice and bananas are great sources of potassium).

  ·         Stretch to improve flexibility.

  When to Contact a Medical Professional

  Call your provider if your muscle cramps:

  ·         Are severe

  ·         Do not go away with simple stretching

  ·         Keep coming back

  ·         Last a long time

  What to Expect at Your Office Visit

  Your provider will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as:

  ·         When did the spasms first begin?

  ·         How long do they last?

  ·         How often do you experience muscle spasms?

  ·         What muscles are affected?

  ·         Is the cramp always in the same location?

  ·         Are you pregnant?

  ·         Have you been vomiting, had diarrhea, excessive sweating, excessive urine volume, or any other possible cause of dehydration?

  ·         What medicines do you take?

  ·         Have you been exercising heavily?

  ·         Have you been drinking alcohol heavily?

  Blood tests may be done to check for the following:

  ·         Calcium, potassium, or magnesium metabolism

  ·         Kidney function

  ·         Thyroid function

  Pain medicines may be prescribed.§  A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax.