Muscle cramps

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Chest stretch

Muscle cramps

Definition:

Muscle cramps are involuntary and often painful contractions of the muscles which produce a hard, bulging muscle.

Muscle twitching (fasciculation) is the result of spontaneous local muscle contractions that are involuntary. Typically, these contractions only affect individual muscle groups connected to (innervated by) a particular motor neuron. This twitching does not cause pain.

Alternative Names:

Cramps - muscle

Considerations:

Ordinary muscle cramps are common and may be stopped by stretching the affected muscle.

Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal, while others indicate a neurologic disorder.

Common Causes:

Muscle spasms can cause cramps and are usually brought on by the following:

Muscle fatigue
Heavy exercise
Dehydration
Pregnancy
Hypothyroidism
Depleted magnesium or calcium stores or other metabolic abnormalities
Alcoholism
Kidney failure leading to uremia
Medications

Muscle twitching may lead to cramping and may involve the following:

Benign, nonpathologic fasciculations (not caused by disease or disorders)
- Often affecting the eyelids, calf or thumb
- Commonly triggered by stress, anxiety
Diet deficiency
Side effects of drugs, especially diuretics or caffeine

More serious causes of fasciculations -- such as motor neuron disease, muscle diseases, or denervation -- are usually accompanied by weakness and atrophy of the affected muscle group, as well as other signs and symptoms.

Review Date: 8/6/2004
Reviewed By: Jonathan Harding, MD, CPE, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.