Conditions
CRAMPS AND MUSCULAR PAIN
Symptoms
Muscle cramps occur when muscles involuntarily contract and cannot relax. The skeletal muscles are most prone to cramping and the most notorious are the ones in the calf, thigh and arch of the foot. Cramps can be perceived as mild twitches or may be excruciatingly painful. Typically, cramps cause an abrupt, intense pain in the involved muscle. Often a muscle that is cramping feels harder than normal to the touch or may even show visible signs of twitching. Most cramps resolve spontaneously within a few seconds to minutes.
Severe cramps may be associated with soreness and swelling, and can occasionally persist up to several days after the cramp has subsided. At the time of cramping, the knotted muscle will bulge, feel very firm, and may be tender.
Causes
It is not known exactly why muscle cramps develop. Insufficient stretching before exercise, exercising in the heat, and muscle fatigue may all play a role in their causation. Imbalances in electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphate) in the blood can also lead to muscle cramps.
Cramps can occur when resting, sleeping, or participating in sports or other daily activities. Anyone can develop a muscle cramp but infants, the elderly, the overweight and athletes are at greatest risk. Athletes most often develop muscle cramps at the beginning of a season when their body is not yet fully conditioned. Cramps in athletes can occur during or after periods of physical exertion.
Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of magnesium, thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6).
Magnesium is a mineral important to the function of every organ in the body. If the body is low in magnesium, it is forced to take it from the muscles, resulting in painful cramps, strains and spasms.
Relief of cramps and muscular pain
If a muscle cramps during exercise, one strategy is to stop your activity and hold the cramped muscle in a gently stretched position until the cramp resolves. If a cramp occurs when lying down, you may want to do the opposite - put weight on the cramping leg and walk. Light massage may also help alleviate pain. When exercising, muscle cramping may be reduced by always warming up and stretching well (especially the muscle groups prone to cramping) before starting. Maintaining adequate hydration is also important. Drinking sports beverages instead of water may help prevent electrolyte imbalances such as low sodium levels.
Check with your doctor if you have frequent or unusually severe muscle cramps that do not appear to be associated with exercise or do not improve with stretching and massage. Muscle cramps in the legs that come on with exercise can be a sign of a more serious condition called intermittent claudication due to poor circulation of blood to the legs.
Lifestyle considerations
Changing some of your daily habits may help avoid cramps and muscular pain. For instance, drink lots of water. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses a day.
Also ensure a diet rich in potassium and magnesium. Supplementation such as <Magnesium Plus> can help. A well-balanced diet containing fruit such as bananas, dried apricots and raisins provides high amounts of potassium, while soya beans and nuts are good magnesium sources.
Regular massage can also help keep muscles toned and relaxed. Use of a sports or heat rub can help. Consider electrolyte replacement drinks after sport as they re-hydrate the body and quickly replace minerals lost through sweating.
Your local pharmacist is an excellent source of information about appropriate medications that may also be helpful in preventing and relieving this condition.
Sourced from:
www.medicinenet.com
www.orthoinfo.aaos.org
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Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.