Understanding muscle cramp

CEBU, Philippines – One common discomfort that has not been given serious attention is muscle cramp. Everybody has had it at one time or another. It occurs more frequently than normal in those suffering from certain ailments, and yet it is not something that they take with alarm.

The general attitude towards muscle cramp is really peculiar. While the pain it brings can be really intense, people tend to take it lightly. It is a quickly passing twinge and thus often regarded as nothing to be worried about.

The website www.mayoclinic.org describes muscle cramp as a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more muscles. Those that have been awakened in the night or stopped in their tracks by a sudden charley horse know what excruciating pain a muscle cramp can cause. Though generally harmless, muscle cramps can make it temporarily impossible to use the affected muscle, the website points out.

Long periods of exercise or physical labor, particularly in hot weather, may lead to muscle cramps. Some medications and certain medical conditions also may cause muscle cramps. The painful attack can usually be treated at home with self-care measures.

But how does a muscle cramp differ from the ordinary muscle contraction or other types of muscle pain? The mayoclinic.org website explains that most muscle cramps occur in the leg muscles, particularly the muscles in the calf. In addition to the sudden, sharp pain, a hard lump of muscle tissue may also be felt or seen beneath the skin.

Taking vitamin B complex supplements is thought to help manage leg cramps. However, more research is needed to confirm this benefit. If a muscle cramp strikes, certain home remedies are known to be effective in giving relief:

• Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to make it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly. If you're unable to stand, sit on the floor or in a chair with your affected leg extended. Try pulling the top of your foot on the affected side toward your head while your leg remains in a straightened position. This will also help ease a back thigh or hamstring cramp. For a front thigh or quadriceps cramp, use a chair to steady yourself and try pulling your foot on the affected side up toward your buttock.

• Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles. Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot shower onto the cramped muscle also can help. Alternatively, massaging the cramped muscle with ice may relieve the pain.

But a better way to deal with muscle cramp is prevention - preventing it from  occurring, in the first place. The following steps may help:

• Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids every day. The exact amount depends on what you eat, your gender, your level of activity, the weather, your state of health, your age and whether you're taking any medications. Fluids help your muscles contract and relax and keep muscle cells hydrated and less irritable. During a physical activity, replenish fluids at regular intervals, and continue drinking water or other fluids after you're finished.

• Stretch your muscles. Stretch before and after you use any muscle for an extended period. If you tend to have leg cramps at night, stretch before bedtime. Light exercise, such as riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before bedtime, may also help prevent cramps while you're sleeping.

Muscle cramps usually disappear on their own and are rarely serious enough to require medical care. However, certain instances may warrant the doctor's attention:  when the muscle cramp causes severe discomfort, when it's associated with leg swelling, redness or skin changes and muscle weakness, when it happens frequently and doesn't improve with self-care, and when there's no obvious cause for it (such as strenuous exercise).

The thing to bear in mind is that pain, in general, is the body's alarm system that something is wrong. And so, in the case of muscle cramp, it is advisable to take it seriously and seek medical attention if necessary, especially if the problem is recurring. It's better to be sure than sorry.