Muscle Cramps

Overview

Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions of the muscles, which may cause a sharp pain. It can happen in any muscle, but most commonly in the calves. Other symptoms that may come with muscle cramps include sleep disturbances and sensation that there is a lump beneath the skin. Muscle cramps can be caused by a number of reasons. It is most commonly caused by overuse of the muscle, strain injury, maintaining a position for a long time, pregnancy and dehydration. It can also signify an underlying health condition, for example, nerve compression, electrolyte imbalance, and insufficient blood supply. Muscle cramps can be prevented by stretching the muscles and staying hydrated at all times. If you develop muscle cramps, the pain can be relieved by heat or cold packs, massages or stretching the muscle. Some people may need medications to relax the muscles if they have recurrent muscle cramps.