Where are the cramps and what to do with them

What are seizures

Spasm - a sudden and often involuntary contraction of one or more muscles. Usually reduces leg cramps: suffer from the back of the calf muscles, as well as the front and back of the thigh. But they are not insured and the muscles of hands, wrists, abdomen, shoulder girdle.

In most cases, doctors believe this state, though painful, but harmless. Especially if muscle spasm is a one-off in nature and of short duration. However, there is a combination of symptoms that require an urgent visit to the doctor.

But first, we shall understand the most common causes of seizures.

Why are seizures

Where does a muscle spasm, science is not clear. the cause and often fail to install (however, if the cramp single, we are not and we try).

But there are situations that are often preceded by a spasm. Here are the seven most common causesWhat Causes Muscle Cramp? convulsions.

1. muscle overexertion

Often cramps are a consequence of overly energetic approach to the shells in the gym. Emerging with stretching and other micro-traumas in the healing process may be accompanied by

Sprains and Strains not only pain (delayed onset muscle soreness), But also muscle cramps.

2. circulatory disorders

A classic example - tunnel syndrome. It is the bane of anyone who spends too much time with a computer mouse in hand. blood circulation is disrupted due to continuous fixed and unnatural position of the wrist muscles. The consequence of this may be a pain, and muscle weakness and cramps.

A couple of common special cases:

• uncomfortable shoes. Shoes strange high heels, Uncomfortable shoes, shlopki backless, that have to hold on the foot, compressing fingers. Muscles are so accustomed to the unnatural stress that then, when you finally freed from the "Spanish boot", can not relax, it reduces their spasm.
• Uncomfortable position during sleep. Zatokshie arms, legs, neck - all this too is a sign of circulatory disorders and can causeCauses and treatment for leg cramps cramps at night.

3. Overheating and / or dehydration

No matter what it is caused by overheating: the summer heat, intense exercise, or, say, a high temperature due to infections. The main thing is that together with the evolved later body loses not only moisture but also electrolytes necessary for the correct transmission of nerve impulses. Muscles react to it including seizures.

4. Mineral depletion

Lack of potassium, calcium or magnesium can interfere muscles relax. And this leads to seizures.

5. Nervous stress or neurological disorders

Under such conditions it is often difficult to relax the muscles. On the consequences of you already know.

6. Pregnancy

Leg cramps are familiar to many expectant mothers. The reasons for this doctors still just not quite clearWhat causes leg cramps during pregnancy, and can they be prevented?.

7. Some diseases and reception of certain drugs

Muscle spasms often accompany such diseases as diabetes, Kidney problems, disorders of the thyroid gland. they can also be a side effect of taking certain medicationsWhy Is My Leg Cramping? What Can Help?. E.g., furosemide and other diuretics and drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease and others.

What to do with cramps

Fortunately, to get rid of cramps in most cases is quite simple. Here are a few common first aid measuresMuscle cramp.

1. Stretch your affected muscles, make light massage

This will help relax the muscle spasm. For example, a very common leg cramps can be removed as follows: sit down, straighten your legs and pull the sock affected limb itself.

2. Use cold or hot compresses

Attach to the muscle soaked in warm water or towel sheet with a heating element. You can take a warm bath or a massage done by sending a stream of water from a shower on the spastic muscle.

Not less effective will be cold. Wrap in a towel bag with ice or frozen vegetables and gently massage the muscle.

3. take a pain reliever

For example, ibuprofencharley Horse. It also helps to relax the muscle spasm.

When seizures are dangerous

Muscle spasm can be a serious symptom of a malfunction of a particular internal organ or the whole organism. For example, seizures often manifest themselves cirrhosis, diabetes type I, developing neurological disorders, in particular epilepsy.

There is another danger. A cramp can affect not only the big muscles, but also the smooth muscles that make up the internal organs shells. Spasm of the muscles sometimes deadly. For example, bronchospasm may lead to respiratory arrest, and coronary artery spasm - a poor performance, if not in cardiac arrest.

Mayo Clinic Research Center, experts recommendMuscle cramp as soon as possible to seek medical help if cramps:

1. It happens often - several times a day or several days. It is an occasion guard and consult with a specialist.
2. Cause serious, almost unbearable discomfort.
3. Accompanied by edema, redness or any other color variations and structure of the skin.
4. combined with heat and headache.
5. Causing a sharp muscle weakness.

If any of these symptoms, you do not see, you can exhale: most likely, nothing dangerous cramps you will not get any. Nevertheless, to understand their origin still stands. At least in order to save yourself from such painful sensations in the future.

How to cure cramps

If convulsions deliver you discomfort (waking at night or last for a long time, despite the massages and wraps), go to the therapist. To identify violations in the body, the physician will ask you a few questions. For example:

1. How often do you have cramps?
2. What muscles they affect?
3. Are you taking any medications?
4. How often do you drink alcohol?
5. What is your lifestyle and physical activity?
6. How much fluid you drink daily?

For a more complete diagnosis may need blood and urine tests. With their help the doctor find out the level of trace elements, as well as be able to check the status of the kidney and thyroid. In some cases, appointed by electromyography. This is a test that measures muscle activity and diagnoses exist in their work violations.

As a result, the physician will establish a disease whose symptoms include cramps, and appoint spefitsicheskoe treatment.

How to prevent seizures

Considering the most common causes of muscle spasms, prevention is clear:

1. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
2. Do not abuse alcohol. Among other things, it is a powerful diuretic and stimulates fluid loss.
3. make regular workoutTo prevent circulatory disorders.
4. wear comfortable shoes.
5. Try to avoid stresses and nervous strain. You must have a good rest and sleep.
6. Make sure that your diet was complete and included rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium foods: kislomolochku, cereals, leafy greens, nuts and so on.
7. If necessary, take supplements and mineral complexes. Of course, do it after consultation with the therapist.

see also

• A new way to prevent muscle cramps →
• foot massage, which relieve tension and improve your mood →
• What if twitch eye →