Muscle Cramps Treatment 

A muscle cramp — the sudden involuntary contraction of one or more muscle groups — usually results in intense pain. The exact cause is unknown, but there are several risk factors that can exacerbate symptoms.

Muscle Cramp Symptoms

In most cases, muscle cramps occur in the legs - particularly in the calf (back of lower leg), hamstrings (back of thigh), or quadriceps (front of thigh). However, it is also common for muscle cramps to occur in the abdominal wall, arms, hands or feet. It will involve sharp, sudden pain but you may also feel or even see a hard area of muscle tissue beneath the skin. 

The pain associated with a muscle cramp can sometimes be so severe that it wakes you up in the middle of the night, or makes it difficult to walk more than a couple of feet. This sudden and sharp pain will usually last for a few seconds but sometimes last as long as 15 minutes.

What Causes Muscle Cramps?

As stated, the exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown. Muscle overuse, dehydration, overheating, salt and mineral depletion are all considered likely triggers of cramps. The frequency of muscle cramps occurring when exercising in hot weather explains this causality. In some cases however, muscle cramps can be signs of other serious medical conditions including atherosclerosis or the narrowing of arteries in the legs, spinal stenosis or nerve compression due to the narrowing of the lumbar spine, or potassium depletion. In these cases, your muscles are deprived of either blood or minerals which can cause flare ups of cramps. 

Although almost everyone will experience muscle cramps at some point in their lives, they are more common in certain groups. Endurance athletes or other people who perform intense, strenuous activity will likely experience muscle cramps during preseason when their bodies are not yet conditioned. Older people are also more likely to experience muscle cramps as they lack muscle mass, causing the remaining muscle to be overworked. Muscle cramps are also common during pregnancy, and in relation to other medical conditions such as diabetes or nerve, liver, or thyroid disorders.

Diagnosis of Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps are usually harmless and do not require immediate medical attention as they will disappear on their own in most cases. However you should consult a doctor if your cramps cause severe discomfort for prolonged periods of time, are associated with leg swelling, redness or other skin changes, muscle weakness, or are not the result of any obvious cause such as strenuous exercise. 

To properly assess the cause of your muscle cramp, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask you several questions about your current state of health. These questions will likely inquire about the frequency of the cramps, the affected muscles, whether you drink alcohol or exercise regularly, take any medications, or drink enough fluids.

You may also be asked to provide a blood sample to check your levels of potassium and calcium, as well as your kidney and thyroid function to rule out any underlying medical conditions. In some cases you may be asked to take a pregnancy test as well. 

Your doctor may also order an EMG or electromyography which will measure your muscle activity and check for any abnormalities. An MRI may also be requested, as it can create an accurate picture of your spinal cord.

Muscle Cramps Treatment in Fort Myers

Although muscle cramps usually go away on their own and do not require medical treatment, there are several things you can do to help relieve the pain or even prevent the cramps in the first place.

Staying hydrated with electrolyte-replenishing fluids, gentle stretching, and massaging the affected area are all great ways to help treat muscle cramps and even prevent them from happening at all. Additionally, you can apply heat to the tight muscles or cold to sore muscles to help achieve some relief.

In addition to regular stretching, try flexibility exercises before and after you work out to stretch muscle groups that are more prone to cramping.

Please consult a doctor if your cramps are severe, occur frequently, do not respond to other treatments, or have no clear cause. Your doctor may choose to evaluate for possible problems with circulation, nerves, medications, or nutrition.

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