Effective Remedies for Muscle Cramps



Muscle cramps can be excruciating. Although it’s jarring to get a muscle cramp, most of us are used to experiencing these painful spasms from time to time. Like a sledgehammer to your leg or hand, the cramp hits you hard. They are involuntary, painful muscle contractions and usually hit at the end of intense workouts or during endurance events because weary muscles are more prone to them.

What are Muscle Cramps?

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily contracted muscle that does not relax. When we voluntarily move the muscles of our legs and arms, they contract alternately and relax as we move our limbs. When a muscle contracts in an involuntary fashion, it is in spasm. If the spasm is constrained, it becomes a cramp which in turn causes palpable hardening of the involved muscle and eventually, pain. Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour or much longer. They are generally harmless but can cause temporary abruption in the movement of the affected muscle.

Causes of Muscle Cramps

Overuse of muscle, muscle strain, and dehydration are some of the main causes of cramps. But they may also be caused by the underlying medical conditions-
  • Nerve Compression- Compression of nerves in the spine can produce extreme leg-cramps.
  • Insufficient blood supply – Narrowing of the arteries is responsible for the inadequate blood supply causing cramps.
  • Mineral Depletion- If the concentration of minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium is too little in the body, it may also result in cramps.
Treatment and home remedies for muscle cramps
  • Cramps can be stopped if you stretch the affected muscle by simply standing up and walking around
  • Gently massaging the muscle can also help it to relax. You can employ flamingo heating pads in order to accomplish the same.
  • Muscle relaxant medications can be used to relax those cramps which are caused due to an injury.
  • The treatment of the cramps which are caused due to a medical condition can be done by treating the underlying condition.
  •  If cramps are severe, frequent and persistent, a more intensive treatment is required to treat them as they can be a manifestation of another disease.
Cramps are inevitable but they can be prevented. By stretching regularly, drinking plenty of fluids and consuming a high-carbohydrate diet will help you in avoiding them. If you have a history of muscle cramps, it is advisable to keep heating pads handy. You can easily get them from reputed online store called Smart Medical Buyer which also provide you with other high-quality medical supplies like best pregnancy test kits, thermometers, respirators etc.

Location: E-46/10, Pocket D, Okhla Phase II, Okhla Industrial Area, New Delhi, Delhi 110020, India

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