BACKGROUND

A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. These contractions are often painful and can affect different muscle groups.
Commonly affected muscles include those in the back of your lower leg, the back of your thigh, and the front of your thigh,abdominal wall,arms,hands&feet.
The intense pain of a cramp can awaken you at night or make it difficult to walk.
A sudden, sharp pain, lasting from a few seconds to 15 minutes

Inadequate blood supply. Narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to your legs can produce cramp-like pain in your legs and feet while you’re exercising. These cramps usually go away soon after you stop exercising.
Nerve compression. Compression of nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) also can produce cramp-like pain in your legs. The pain usually worsens the longer you walk. Walking in a slightly flexed position such as you would use when pushing a shopping cart ahead of you may improve or delay the onset of your symptoms.
Aging: Over time, losing muscle mass can put more strain on your muscles. These changes can lead to more frequent muscle cramps as you age.
Dehydration: Losing body fluids while exercising (especially in hot temperatures) can cause muscles to cramps
Hypothyroidism: Having a thyroid gland that is less active than normal can lead to muscle cramps.
Low electrolyte levels: Low levels of substances such as calcium or potassium in the blood can cause muscle cramps.
Medication: Taking certain medicines, including pseudoephedrine (a drug used to treat nasal congestion) and statins (medications that treat high cholesterol), can cause involuntary muscle cramping.

Skeletal muscle cramps: Can be voluntarily controlled. Skeletal muscles that cramp the most often are the calves, thighs, and arches of the foot, Around 40% of people who experience skeletal cramps are likely to endure extreme muscle pain.
Nocturnal leg cramps:These leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the calves, soles of the feet, or other muscles in the body during the night or (less commonly) while resting. The duration of nocturnal leg cramps is variable, with cramps lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.
Smooth Muscle Cramps: Contractions may be symptomatic of endometriosis.Menstrual cramps may also occur during a menstrual cycle, as a result of uterine contractions as the uterus sheds its lining. Menstrual pain is common and most menstruating women experience it at some point, with more than 40% experiencing pain every period. Severe pain is less common, but still significant

Blood test to check the levels of potassium and calcium in your blood, as well as your kidney and thyroid function.
Electromyography :This is a test that measures muscle activity and checks for muscle abnormalities.
MRI may also be a helpful test. It’s an imaging tool that creates a picture of your spinal cord.
Urine tests to find the cause of muscle cramps. These tests can identify underlying conditions such as liver or kidney disease that may cause cramps.

Stretch the affected area.
Massage the affected area with your hands or a massage roller.
Stand up and walk around.
Apply heat or ice. Put an ice pack together or apply a heating pad, or take a nice warm bath.
Take painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen,vitamin B12 complex.

Perform flexibility exercises on a regular basis.
Work towards better overall fitness.
Stretch your muscles regularly. Do this especially for those most prone to muscle spasms.
Drink fluids frequently. Choose water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Avoid exercising in hot weather.
Wear shoes that fit you properly.
Keep your weight at a healthy range. Experiment with mild exercise right before bed to prevent nocturnal leg cramps.
Avoid medications that may cause muscle spasms as a side effect.
To prevent leg cramps, use pillows to keep your toes pointed upwards if you sleep on your back. If you sleep on your chest, hang your feet over the end of the bed.
Stretch your muscles before you go to sleep. When you sleep, keep the sheets and blankets loose around your legs.

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