Home » Health Topics » Muscle Cramps

Muscle Cramps

Also known as Charley horse.

Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more of your muscles. They often occur after exercise or at night, lasting a few seconds to several minutes. It is a very common muscle problem.

Muscle cramps can be caused by nerves that malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction is due to a health problem, such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back. Other causes are

  • Straining or overusing a muscle
  • Dehydration
  • A lack of minerals in your diet or the depletion of minerals in your body
  • Not enough blood getting to your muscles

Cramps can be very painful. Stretching or gently massaging the muscle can relieve this pain.

Check Also

bone, muscles, joints

Spinal Stenosis

Your spine, or backbone, protects your spinal cord and allows you to stand and bend. …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *