Why do cramps

Causes of muscle cramps include: Straining or overusing a muscle. This is the most common cause. Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back Dehydration Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium , or calcium Not enough blood getting to your muscles Pregnancy Certain medicines Getting dialysis Sometimes the cause of muscle cramps is unknown.

Who is at risk for muscle cramps? Anyone can get muscle cramps, but they are more common in some people: Older adults People who are overweight Athletes Pregnant women People with certain medical conditions, such as thyroid and nerve disorders When do I need to see a health care provider for muscle cramps?

But you should contact your health care provider if the cramps Are severe Happen frequently Don't get better with stretching and drinking enough fluids Last a long time Are accompanied by swelling, redness, or a feeling of warmth Are accompanied by muscle weakness What are the treatments for muscle cramps? You may be able to find some relief from cramps by Stretching or gently massaging the muscle Applying heat when the muscle is tight and ice when the muscle is sore Getting more fluids if you are dehydrated If another medical problem is causing the cramps, treating that problem will likely help.

Can muscle cramps be prevented? To prevent muscle cramps, you can Stretch your muscles, especially before exercising. If you often get leg cramps at night, stretch your leg muscles before bed. Drink plenty of liquids. If you do intense exercise or exercise in the heat, sports drinks can help you replace electrolytes.

Start Here. Related Issues. The exact cause of cramp is unknown but risk factors may include poor physical condition, mineral and electrolyte imbalances and tight, inflexible muscles. Cramps are usually harmless but may sometimes be symptomatic of an underlying medical disorder, such as atherosclerosis narrowing of the arteries.

Regular cramping or severe cramping that lasts longer than a few minutes should always be investigated by your doctor. Muscle tissue relies, in part, on a range of minerals, electrolytes and other chemicals in order to contract and relax.

Some of these important substances include calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Tetany is a special form of cramping — it can be brought on by overbreathing, which results in a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood.

It is usually caused by anxiety. Most muscle cramps resolve after a few seconds or minutes. There has been very little research done to work out which treatment works best but treatment options include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The abdominal muscles support the trunk, allow movement and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure.

The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone in adults, which causes the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, feet and internal organs.

Exercise can prevent age-related changes to muscles, bones and joints and can reverse these changes too. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Bones muscles and joints. Home Bones muscles and joints.

This type of…. Tendinitis results in pain that makes it difficult to move the affected joint. Not all muscle soreness is the same.

Acute muscle soreness is felt during or immediately after exercise. With delayed onset muscle soreness, your…. The serratus anterior muscle spans the upper eight or nine ribs and helps you rotate your shoulder blade and move it forward and up. Learn common…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Leg Cramps? Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. What leg cramps feel like.

Understanding the triggers. Lifestyle reasons. Medical reasons. Treating leg cramps. Read this next. How to Stop Leg Muscle Cramps. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.