Treatment for Muscle cramps

Muscle cramps can be defined as a forceful and sustained contraction of a muscle or a muscle group and it can last for as short as a few seconds to about 10 – 15 minutes. These cramps can occur in many instances and could have several underlying causative factors as well. In some instances, it would be difficult to distinguish a reason and if a reason is found, it does not indicate that the person is liable to experience cramps in future such situations as well.

This ambiguity will make it ever more difficult to predict but, it will be possible to predict situations that are likely to cause such an event. When considering the main causes and risk factors for muscle cramps,Dehydration and fluid losses ,Electrolyte imbalance ,Calcium and magnesium deficiencies ,Old age ,Exposure to extreme weather conditions ,vigorous exercises
,Injuries,diabetes,and hypothyroid state.

Although many of us would encounter cramps while engaged in certain activities such as sports, rest cramps can also be experienced especially during the night. This can be seen more frequently among the elderly and an underlying cause would not be apparent in most instances.

Following the occurrence of such a cramping feeling, usually it will last for only few seconds to minutes and will resolve itself. But, the intense pain that it generates can be unbearable and would be sometimes agonizing. The rest pain that occurs in the night will make the patient to be awake from sleep and it is possible for such cramps to recur from time to time or else as a frequent occurrence each day.

When treating cramps, usually, it will almost always respond to stretching exercises and this can be done for even the small muscles in the hands and feet. It would be easier for you to seek help from another person when doing the stretching and it is also possible to do it by yourself if the need arise.

Pulling on the feet using the hands while laying on a flat floor or stretching against a wall are some simple techniques in stretching a muscle group and placing the hands flat against a surface and extending the fingers as widely as possible will make the hand muscle be relieved from cramps in most instances.

Apart from the stretching exercises, correcting any underlying causes will also take precedence in treatment and therefore, taking enough salts and minerals, rehydration with mineral water or using electrolyte supplements can be considered rather important.

As an additional remedy, placing hot or cold packs at the site of a cramp can give relief in certain instances whereas massaging can also bring relief in some forms of cramps.