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Muscle cramps

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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.

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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

• 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.

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