<p id="page-title">Muscle cramps are&nbsp;when a muscle&nbsp;gets tight&nbsp;(contracts)&nbsp;without you trying to do so. The muscle gets tight and does not relax. Cramps may involve all or part of one or more muscles.</p>

<section id="block-system-main">
<p>The most commonly involved muscle groups are:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Back of the lower leg/calf</li>
	<li>Back of the thigh (hamstrings)</li>
	<li>Front of the thigh (quadriceps)</li>
</ul>

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

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

<h2>Considerations</h2>

<p>Muscle spasms are different than&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003296.htm">muscle twitches</a>, which are covered in a separate article.</p>

<h2>Causes</h2>

<p>Muscle cramps are common and often occur when a muscle is overused or injured. Working out when you haven&#39;t 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.</p>

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

<p>They can also be triggered by:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000944.htm">Alcoholism</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000353.htm">Hypothyroidism</a>&nbsp;(underactive thyroid)</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000501.htm">Kidney failure</a></li>
	<li>Medications</li>
	<li>Menstruation</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.zdrav.kz/en/node/10282">Pregnancy</a></li>
</ul>

<h2>Home Care</h2>

<p>If you have a muscle cramp, stop your activity and try stretching and massaging the&nbsp; muscle.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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 doesn&#39;t always help. Salt tablets or sports drinks, which also replenish lost minerals, can be helpful.</p>

<p>Other tips for relieving muscle cramps:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Change your workouts so that you are exercising within your ability.</li>
	<li>Drink plenty of fluids while exercising and increase your potassium intake (orange juice and bananas are great sources of potassium).</li>
	<li>Stretch to improve flexibility.</li>
</ul>

<h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2>

<p>Call your doctor or nurse&nbsp;if your muscle cramps:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Are severe</li>
	<li>Do not go away with simple stretching</li>
	<li>Keep coming back</li>
	<li>Last a long time</li>
</ul>

<h2>What to Expect at Your Office Visit</h2>

<p>Your doctor or nurse will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as:</p>

<ul>
	<li>When did the spasms first begin?</li>
	<li>How long do they last?</li>
	<li>How often do you experience muscle spasms?</li>
	<li>What muscles are affected?</li>
	<li>Is it always the same location?</li>
	<li>Are you pregnant?</li>
	<li>Have you been vomiting, had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003126.htm">diarrhea</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003218.htm">excessive sweating</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003146.htm">excessive urine volume</a>, or any other possible cause of dehydration?</li>
	<li>What medications do you take?</li>
	<li>Have you been exercising heavily?</li>
	<li>Have you been drinking alcohol heavily?</li>
</ul>

<p>Blood tests may be done to check for the following:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Calcium, potassium, or magnesium metabolism</li>
	<li>Kidney function</li>
	<li>Thyroid function</li>
</ul>

<p>Pain medicines may be prescribed.</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<p><strong>&nbsp;Source:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003193.htm">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003193.htm</a></p>

<p>Painful Leg (<a href="http://symptomaster.com/client/main?user_action=user_action_from_external_url&amp;need_auth_guest=1&amp;external_symptom_id=2220&amp;gender_id=1" target="_blank">male</a>)</p>

<p>Теги:&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.zdrav.kz/en/taxonomy/term/4425">muscle</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.zdrav.kz/en/taxonomy/term/3412">cramps</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.zdrav.kz/en/taxonomy/term/4468">tight</a></p>

<p>Синонимы:&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cramps - muscle</p>
</section>
