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A cramp is a sudden, involuntary, painful skeletal muscle contraction [1] [2] or overshortening associated with electrical activity; [3] while generally temporary and non-damaging, they can cause significant pain and a paralysis -like immobility of the affected muscle. A cramp usually goes away on its own over a period of several seconds or ...
- sudden muscle pain and a paralysis-like immobility
- quinine, stretching, massage, and drinking liquids
Mar 7, 2023 · A muscle cramp is a sudden, unexpected tightening of one or more muscles. Sometimes called a charley horse, a muscle cramp can be very painful. Exercising or working hard, especially in heat, can lead to muscle cramps. Some medicines and illnesses also might cause muscle cramps. Muscle cramps aren't usually harmful.
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Oct 20, 2023 · Dehydration. Electrolyte imbalance (having too many or too few salts and minerals like potassium, magnesium and calcium, in your body). Stress. Too much high-intensity exercise. Possible causes for nocturnal leg cramps (leg cramps at night), specifically, include: Sitting for long periods of time.
Mar 7, 2023 · Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it. For a calf cramp, keep the leg straight while pulling the top of your foot on the side that's cramped toward your face. Also try standing with your weight on your cramped leg and pressing down firmly. This helps ease a cramp in the back of the thigh too.
A muscle cramp (charley horse) is a sudden, brief, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. Cramps commonly occur in healthy people (usually middle-aged and older adults), sometimes during rest, but particularly during or after exercise or at night (including during sleep). Leg cramps at night usually occur in the calf ...
Aug 27, 2019 · These conditions include: spinal nerve compression, which can cause muscle cramps in your legs when walking or standing. alcoholism. pregnancy. kidney failure. hypothyroidism, or low thyroid gland ...
Jan 28, 2021 · Summary. A muscle cramp is a painful tightness in a muscle due to a sudden, involuntary contraction. Various factors may contribute to muscle cramping, but the underlying cause is often unclear ...
