We often experience a sudden, sharp pain in a muscle that seems to contract uncontrollably. This is the famous muscle cramp, a very common and annoying phenomenon.
Although we've all said, "It's just a cramp," we don't always know exactly what causes it or how to prevent it. In this article, we'll explore what muscle cramps are, their types, causes, and how to treat them to relieve discomfort.
What is a muscle cramp?
A muscle cramp is when a muscle contracts or becomes tense without the affected person intending to do so Nor is he able to relax it.
This tension is usually painful and can appear at any time, it is especially common after exercise or at nightThe best way to relieve it is to gently stretch the affected muscle.
They usually affect the legs, especially the calves and thighs, although they are also common in the arms, hands, and feet.
If it occurs at night, the pain can be severe enough to wake the person. After a cramp, it's common to feel sore and fatigued, but with no major consequences beyond discomfort in the affected area.
Types of muscle cramps
Muscle cramps can be classified into different types depending on their origin and the circumstances under which they occur. These include:
- Night cramps: They occur involuntarily during sleep, primarily affecting the legs. These cramps are often related to dehydration, mineral deficiency, or circulatory problems.
- Musculoskeletal cramps: They affect skeletal muscles and usually occur after intense physical exertion, due to muscle fatigue and electrolyte imbalance. They are common in athletes and people who engage in prolonged physical activity.
- Smooth muscle cramps: These types of cramps occur in involuntary muscles, such as those of the digestive system or uterus, and can manifest in cases of abdominal cramps, intestinal spasms, or during the menstrual cycle.
Identifying the source of cramps allows you to take appropriate measures to prevent their occurrence and relieve symptoms.
Main causes of muscle cramps
In many cases, the exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown. However, they are often related to overload or excessive tension of a muscle, whether due to sports practice or maintaining the same position for a prolonged period.
In addition, there are certain diseases or health problems that can bring with them adverse effects such as: muscle cramps. Some of the conditions that can cause them are:
- lumbar stenosis: The bone growth that lumbar stenosis creates in the spine can put pressure on the nerves that pass through it, causing symptoms such as leg cramps and numbness due to nerve compression.
- Circulation problems: When blood flow is insufficient, muscles may not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need, especially during exercise, which can lead to cramps.
- Mineral deficiency: a diet poor in magnesium, potassium or calcium, or diuretic use (frequent in the treatment of arterial diseases), may increase the risk of suffering muscle cramps.
People at higher risk of muscle cramps
Some people are more likely to experience muscle cramps due to certain risk factors related to age, lifestyle, or specific conditions:
- Elderly people: With aging, muscle mass tends to decrease and muscles can fatigue more easily, increasing the likelihood of cramps.
- Athletes: Intense exercise, especially in hot environments, can cause dehydration and electrolyte loss, which can lead to cramps both during and after physical activity.
- Pregnant women-Factors such as fluid retention, weight gain, and pressure on nerves during pregnancy can trigger cramps, especially at night. Pregnancy can also cause other discomforts, such as backache.
How to prevent muscle cramps
Prevention is the best treatment for muscle cramps. You can follow some of these tips to avoid or stop having them:
- Hydration: it is not only necessary drink fluids during physical activity, but you have to do it constantly throughout the day. There is no exact amount, since it depends on each person what they need (age, alcohol consumption, medications taken, etc.). A good way to detect your hydration level is to pay attention to the color of your urine: the darker it is, the greater the dehydration.
- Repose: Many times muscle cramps occur due to overexertion of the muscles. Keep in mind that sport is very good, but sometimes the body needs to relax. Try reducing physical activity so your muscles can rest.
- Stretch your muscles: Muscle elongation is essential to avoid cramps since its purpose is to stretch the muscles and give them greater flexibility to avoid not only cramps, but also other injuries. It is necessary to stretch your muscles before and after physical exercise and before going to bed and after getting out of bed.
- Footwear: Many times, inappropriate footwear can, without realizing it, put tension on a muscle for a prolonged period of time. If you do physical activity, make sure you have the right footwear for you.
Good foods for cramps
A balanced diet plays a key role in preventing muscle cramps, since, as we mentioned, a deficiency in certain minerals can promote their onset.
Among the most recommended foods to prevent cramps are: bananas, avocados, and nuts, rich in magnesium and potassium. Also noteworthy are the legumes, spinach, and dairy products, essential sources of calcium for muscle contraction. In addition, to replenish sodium levels after physical activity, coconut water and natural isotonic drinks may be a good option.
Incorporating these foods into your daily diet, along with adequate hydration, helps reduce the frequency of cramps and improve muscle performance.
Treatment for muscle cramps
The best treatment to cure muscle cramps is to take the measures that we have already mentioned in the previous prevention point: stretching, hydrating, rest, etc.
You can even consult with a physiotherapist that advises and helps stretch and massage your muscles in the best way. Also consult with your family doctor about how to hydrate better and check if you have any mineral deficiencies in a blood test.
When cramps are caused by a specific illness or condition, you will likely need to treat that problem directly and review medications and treatments with your doctor. sports medicine specialist doctor.
Traumatology clinic with sports medicine in Madrid
If muscle cramps are frequent and worrying, or if you exercise intensely and feel like you're overexerting yourself, it may be advisable to visit a specialized clinic.
In Elgeadi Traumatology, we have a team of experts in sports medicine and traumatology that can help you prevent and treat possible muscle conditions. Our specialists will evaluate your case to detect any pathology and begin the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Do you have more questions about muscle cramps? Leave your comment and our team of professional traumatologists will contact you, or Request a private consultation with an Elgeadi Traumatology expert
53 thoughts on “Qué son y por qué ocurren los calambres musculares”
I am diabetic 2 and I have night cramps, what do I do?
Hello, Norberto!
It is best to consult with your trusted traumatologist, since a prior study is necessary to be able to prescribe the most appropriate treatment. If you have any questions, write to our email [email protected]
All the best!
Thank you very much. Thank you so much for your advice, may God bless you.
Hello, I have a lot of nighttime muscle cramps from my knees to my ankles; I can't straighten my legs because I immediately get cramps.
Hello, thank you for writing to us.
Nighttime leg cramps can have many causes: muscle strain, circulatory problems, neurological disorders, or even mineral deficiencies. When cramps occur so easily when stretching the leg, it's important to have a thorough evaluation to identify the cause.
We highly recommend that a specialist examine you and review your case in detail. You can schedule an appointment at our clinics in Madrid by calling +34 910 053 900. We'd be happy to help.
Greetings
Hello, I am very grateful for the information. The truth is that I was surprised that for a few months now I have pain from my knee to my ankle, reaching the limit of 3, not being able to walk and the worst thing is that I am left with pain for several hours. Therefore, I will take measures following your advice or could it also be due to the medication I am taking. Thank you very much for everything.
Hello Mariela.
Thank you for leaving your comment.
We hope you get better soon!
I have noticed that after riding a bicycle at night, tingling and muscle cramps occur, even accompanied by pain in the bottom of the foot, what could be the causes?
Hello Kirenia!
The symptoms you present may be due to a pinched nerve. It is important that you stretch after practicing sports and, if the discomfort does not disappear, we recommend that you go to your trusted traumatologist. Write to our email [email protected] in case of any doubt.
All the best!
Hello good evening! I get cramps in the back of my entire leg, my rod gets stiff, and it hurts a lot, I don't know what to do.
Hello Claudia, please, as we have said before, visit a specialist, since it is not possible to draw conclusions online.
Thank you very much and encouragement.
Hello, I'm Laura from Salvador, I have tension in one leg, there's a lot of pain, my job is just standing, what do you recommend I do, please?
Good morning Laura.
Write us an email at [email protected] so that you can detail your pathology in depth. Our specialist traumatologists will offer you a complete diagnosis.
Greetings.
Good afternoon, I get a lot of cramps in my right leg at night when I walk a lot, I don't know what to do, I can't sleep well.
Hello Yoliber, go to the doctor to have a physical examination to see what may be happening. With this information we cannot give you a diagnosis. A hug.
Good morning. My name is Brunilda, I suffer every day from a cramp on the outside of my right foot, the pain is so strong that I can't stand it. Dr deserveto relax for the muscle doesn't work what can I do. Thank you so much
Good morning, Brunhilda.
If the pain does not disappear in the time that your doctor estimated, it is recommended that you go to the doctor again to be able to treat your pathology using other techniques if necessary.
All the best.
Hello, good morning, almost every night I get leg cramps, especially in my left leg. When I stretch, that's when the cramp attacks me the most. I drink a lot of water and I get cramps anyway. I'm scared now on Nov. 22. I'm having surgery for an umbilical hernia and if I get cramps I have to sit or stop quickly and if I hurt myself that's what I'm afraid of, what can I do. Thanks in advance.
Good morning, Guiermina.
For cases like yours, it would be recommended that you go to our trauma doctors from Madrid to be able to offer you a complete medical diagnosis of your injury.
All the best.
Hello good morning
I just suffered a cramp in the inner part of my thigh from my right knee up. This cramp had never happened to me before. It happened when I was sleeping and I turned over.
I suffer from joint problems in my legs (varicose veins) first they swell then they become red and wounds occur
Could this be the reason? Since right now I have several wounds in my right leg where the cramp occurred
I must also inform you that I have already had an operation on my veins for varicose veins in March 2020. I have improved a little but it still continues to cause wounds. I have not returned to the vascular surgeon's office due to this pandemic. I ask for your recommendation, please. avoid this cramp.
Thank you very much for your kind attention! God bless him 🙏
Good morning, Justina.
For cases as specific as yours, we cannot offer you a complete medical diagnosis without first carrying out a study of the area. You can make an appointment with our trauma doctors, opting for the treatment that best suits your needs.
All the best.
Hello, good afternoon, can cramps cause more serious injuries, such as cut ligaments, meniscus or other injuries?
Good morning, Rodrigo.
Sometimes, these muscle cramps occur as a result of other pathologies, such as lumbar stenosis or circulation problems.
All the best.
Hello, I'm Hugo from Antofagasta Chile... Every time I stretch my leg I get severe cramps... If I stretched my leg or tense the muscle it would hurt every time I strained it... Unfortunately I'm not sporty, I have little physical activity, I'm 35 years old, greetings
Good morning, Hugo.
Thank you very much for commenting on our blog. We are very sorry for your situation. We cannot offer you a complete medical diagnosis without studying the affected area, so it would be necessary for you to request appointment at our trauma clinic. You can contact us by phone.
All the best.
Lately I blame it on the soda at lunch, I drink two or three glasses and then my fingers go crazy, but day or night the ones that hit me between my legs I don't give to anyone, they are very painful and the only way to removing them is doing 4
Good morning Luis.
We are very sorry for your situation. For a medical study, contact our traumatology specialists.
All the best.
Hello, every night I have very bad cramps in my calves.
I had varicose vein surgery twice, could that be the reason?
Good morning, Ruben.
Thank you very much for your comment on Elgeadi Traumatology. We cannot offer you a medical diagnosis without first carrying out a complete study of this area. You can contact our specialist traumatologists, opting for the most appropriate treatment.
All the best.
Hello, good afternoon, my name is Alexa, I live in Panama. I have herniated discs. This causes me a lot of pain in my back, hip and left thigh. Every night I get cramps in almost my entire body, especially my feet and legs. What do you advise me ? This condition is already unbearable
Good morning, Alexa. Thanks for writing on our blog.
For the symptoms you present, the most recommended thing is to consult with a specialist traumatologist so that, through a thorough diagnosis, they can determine the most appropriate treatment. You can contact our team of expert traumatologists at the following link: https://elgeaditraumatologia.com/contacto/
All the best.
Hello, I am not an athlete and I am not very old but I suffer from cramps every time I go for a walk in my left leg above the knee and if I walk I still get cramps on the right one too, I don't know what it is or what to do, I have already been a week like this
Good afternoon Brahian,
Thanks for commenting on our blog. In your case, it is appropriate to go to a specialist so that they can evaluate your symptoms through a complete study of them and determine the correct treatment for the pathology you present. You can contact him team of experts at Elgeadi Traumatology in the link provided.
All the best.
My name is Alicia I have cramps all day in my hands on my back under my breasts in my legs on my ankle constantly I don't know what to do anymore they are terrible and painful what can I do
Good morning Alice,
Thank you very much for commenting on our blog. We recommend that you consult with your family doctor so that he or she can assess your symptoms and refer you to the appropriate specialist. If it is advisable to visit a traumatologist, do not hesitate to contact our expert traumatologists in the link provided.
All the best.
Good afternoon, my mother was diagnosed with sacroleitis. She is 76 years old. As she has a lot of lower back pain, especially when standing up, she has preferred to sleep sitting in an armchair instead of sleeping lying down in her bed. It is counterproductive for her to sleep sitting up. the condition you have?
Hello Jesus Angel,
It is necessary to see a doctor to evaluate the complete picture and determine the treatment to follow, this includes both exercise, medications, and the issue of postural hygiene that you mention.
We hope to help you.
Greetings
I run 5 km every night from Monday to Friday. (In a hot environment).
A couple of weeks ago, I traveled for work to a cooler city at night.
That is, stop doing that exercise abruptly.
Today was the first time that, when I stretched, I felt strong cramps in both calves, and sometimes in the big toe or the thumb of my hands.
I am 48 years old
*I take a sleep aid, prescribed for insomnia.
*I take vitamins for cartilage.
*I have been taking metformin for half a year, to lose weight, this was self-reorientation.
*Sourrubastatin, for high cholesterol, but at this point I don't know if it has been controlled but I am still taking it.
Will there be factors mentioned above that cause you to suffer from these cramps?
Hello Jorge Alberto,
They can occur for many reasons, especially self-medicating with metformin can be risky. We recommend that you see a specialist who will evaluate your complete medical history, taking into account all the medications you are taking and how these may affect the health of your musculoskeletal system.
Greetings.
I have cramps all over my body and sometimes they occur like a chain, it is very ugly, I have hypothyroidism, does it influence
Hello Veronica,
In principle it should not, although we would need to review your medical history to know if it could be related.
Greetings.
My problem is with my fingers that cramp and cause shin splints, the pain is becoming more intense and more frequent. I bike, dance and practical functional. I have a knee replacement on the right side. And I am 59 years old. Thanks for the help you can give me!!!
Hi Norma,
There is a difference between cramps and numbness. Numbness may have other causes, such as spinal impingement or some pathology.
We recommend that you go to the traumatologist for a physical examination.
Greetings
Greetings
I just had an episode of an unbearable cramp in my right thigh for a year that I hadn't had. It hits me when I go to bed and it is so painful that it makes me cry. On one occasion I went to an emergency room, but they didn't give me any diagnosis. I spent all day painting a structure. What could be the cause of that feeling as if a knife was being shoved into my thigh?
Hi Madelyn,
Pain can have different origins.
Some tests would have to be done to give you a diagnosis. With this information we cannot know.
Greetings
I am 63 years old. I have not exercised for three months. For about a month now I have been getting cramps in both the calf and ankle area when I go to bed and when I stretch when I turn off the light. On two occasions at midday I have had cramps in the inner part of my thigh. I don't know what to do.
Hello Beatriz,
Thank you for your comment. Muscle cramps can have several causes, such as lack of physical activity, changes in routine or electrolyte imbalances. We recommend that you consult a specialist so that they can evaluate your case and perform the necessary studies, providing you with an accurate diagnosis and personalized recommendations. If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with our traumatologists so that they can evaluate your situation in detail.
Greetings.
Hi, I get a lot of leg cramps at night, and they are very painful. I tried many things but what has worked best for me is rubbing ice where I have the cramp.
Hello Yolanda,
Nighttime leg cramps can have various causes, such as muscle fatigue, dehydration, or imbalances in minerals such as magnesium or potassium. If cramps are frequent and intense, it would be advisable to consult a specialist to evaluate your case and determine the best approach to prevent and relieve them effectively. If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with our specialists by calling 910 05 39 00.
Greetings.
Hello Doctor, can you tell me why? After several cramps in my thigh near my femur, a lump formed, and the good thing is that I haven't had any more cramps there, but what caused this "ball" that formed? Thank you.
Hi! Thank you so much for your comment.
The appearance of a "lump" after episodes of cramps can be due to several causes, such as residual muscle contractions, deep hematomas, or even minor muscle injuries that cause localized inflammation. Without an in-person evaluation, it is difficult to determine the exact cause.
It is best to have a specialist examine you and run any necessary tests. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Elgeadi's team in Madrid by calling +34 910 053 900. We'd be happy to help.
I am taking 15 mg of Rosuvastatin and I get a lot of cramps at night, in my calves and legs.
Hi Luis Enrique, muscle cramps and discomfort can occur with statins like rosuvastatin. It's advisable to discuss this with your doctor to adjust the dose or change the treatment and, if necessary, order blood tests (CK, kidney function, thyroid, vitamin D). Go to the emergency room if you experience severe weakness or dark urine.