Md. Riday Khan

· 05 Dec 2021

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Why do I get muscle spasm?

Muscular cramp

It is the common name for a muscle spasm. These can occur in any muscle in the body, but they often occur in one leg. When a muscle is in spasm, it contracts uncontrollably and does not relax.

Causes
Muscle spasms often occur when a muscle is overloaded or injured. Factors that could cause a muscle spasm to include:

Exercising when you have not had enough fluids (you are dehydrated).
Have low levels of minerals, such as potassium or calcium.
Some spasms occur because the nerve that connects to a muscle is irritated. An example is a herniated disc that irritates the spinal nerves and causes pain and spasm in the back muscles.

Calf spasms commonly occur when kicking during swimming or running. They can also occur at night while you are in bed. Upper leg spasms are more common with activities like running or jumping. Spasm in the neck (cervical spine) can be a sign of stress.

Symptoms
When a muscle spasm occurs, the muscle feels very tight and is sometimes described as a knot. The pain can be intense.

Quizzes and exams
To diagnose a spasm, the doctor will look for tight or hard muscles that are very tender to the touch. There are no imaging studies or blood tests for this condition. If the cause of the spasm is irritation of a nerve, such as in the back, an MRI can help find the cause of the problem.

Treatment
At the first sign of muscle spasm, stop activity and try stretching and massaging the affected muscle.

Heat initially helps to relax the muscle, although applying ice may help after the first spasm and when the pain has improved.

If the muscle is still sore after applying heat and ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to help with the pain. In more severe cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe antispasmodic medications.

After receiving treatment, your healthcare provider should look for the cause of the spasm to prevent it from recurring. If an irritated nerve is involved, physical therapy or even surgery may be needed.

Drinking water or sports drinks when exercising can help relieve cramps due to dehydration. If just drinking water isn't enough, fizzy salts or sports drinks can help replenish minerals in the body.

Expectations (prognosis)
Muscle spasms will improve with rest and time. Your prognosis is excellent for most people. Learning how to exercise properly and get enough fluids can prevent spasms from occurring on a regular basis.

Other treatments may be needed if an irritated nerve caused the spasm. The results of these treatments can vary.

When to contact a medical professional
Call your healthcare provider if:

You have a muscle spasm with severe pain.
You have a weakness with muscle spasms.
You have a muscle spasm that won't stop and spreads to other parts of your body.
Even if the spasms are not severe, your healthcare provider can help you change your exercise program to reduce the risk of spasms in the future.

Prevention
Activities you can do to decrease the chance of muscle spasms include:

Stretch to improve flexibility.
Change your training sessions to exercise within your capabilities.
Drink plenty of fluids while exercising and increase your potassium intake. Orange juice and bananas are excellent sources of potassium.

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