Cramps happen when body muscles contract suddenly. They may cause significant pain, making one immobile for a while. While cramps may be temporary, the affected body part may remain inactive until the contraction eases. Some effects may get serious, forcing one to seek treatment options. What’s even worse is that some people seem to be completely susceptible to repeated cramps and are affected by them more than others. Most types of cramps have home remedies, or treatment options while others only need time for the pain to disappear. In some cases, prevention is by far the best way to avoid suffering from cramps. Knowledge is one of the best ways to handle cramps. There are numerous types of cramps caused by various factors. Here are some examples.
1 - Muscle Cramps
Prolonged exercise sessions or hard labor under hot weather may cause muscle cramps. Various medical conditions, as well as medication, can cause muscle cramps. Luckily, the type of cramps is treatable using home remedies. A doctor may not be able to point out the exact cause of muscle cramp if one is suffering from idiopathic cramps. Numerous medical disorders can cause such a condition. Other causes of muscle cramps include:
- Old age: As individuals advance in age, the muscles tend to lose their mass, making them strain. Such fluctuations can result in recurring muscle cramps with old age.
- Dehydration. Activities like exercise or the presence of high temperatures may cause the body to lose fluids, which can result in muscle cramps. One should take enough water in such situations.
- Nerve illnesses. Specific disorders that include spinal cord injury and pinched nerve may exert pressure on the nerves leading to muscle cramps.
2 - Menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, cause pain along the lower abdomen area. They usually occur before and within the menstruation period. The level of pain may differ depending on an individual. In some cases, menstrual cramps may be as a result of other conditions beyond menstrual periods. Luckily, the illnesses are treatable. As women advance in age, some of the issues tend to lessen, and some may even disappear upon giving birth. The uterus tends to contract during the menstrual season. The process helps the linings to stretch, therefore, causing cramps. The pain involves prostaglandins, which are responsible for triggering the contraction of the uterine muscle. The menstrual cramp may get severe if the level of prostaglandins rises. Primary causes of menstrual cramps include:
- Uterine fibroids. They are noncancerous growths that appear along uterus walls, causing significant pain.
- Pelvic inflammatory illness. It is an infection, which occurs in the female reproductive system, and transmitted through sexual intercourse.
- Adenomyosis. It explains a condition where the uterus linings start growing into its muscular walls.
- Cervical stenosis. Some women may have a smaller opening at the cervix, which may obstruct proper menstrual flow. That causes significant pain as pressure continues to build up in the uterus.
3 - Leg cramps
Leg cramps can happen at any time without any specific cause. The condition is common for pregnant women because they suffer from issues like circulation changes, reduction in electrolyte levels, as well as pressure due to the baby growing bigger. Leg cramps can also happen to people frequently if they find themselves to be dehydrated or close to dehydrated a lot.
Leg cramps lead to abrupt contraction of muscles, which cause significant pain in the affected leg, better known as spasm. Any cramp may last for up to ten minutes or a few seconds. As the pain eases off, the affected body part returns to its initial state. Some leg cramps can occur and leave a muscle that is incredibly tight and knotted. It is wise to seek treatment if the cramps last for longer hours, or if it keeps reoccurring.