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Muscle cramp
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A muscle cramp is a muscle that suddenly tightens up on its own, without you telling it to. It's also called a spasm: an involuntary contraction, meaning a muscle that tightens without your permission. It can hit one muscle or several. Lots of people get cramps, often after a workout, and the squeeze lasts anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.
Picture a hand that clenches into a fist by itself and stays that way, refusing to let go. That's what happens to the muscle: it clamps down without you deciding to and won't let go. It feels clenched tight, and some people say it's like having a knot inside. It can really hurt.
The most common trigger is having strained or overused that muscle. Dehydration, which means your body is short on fluids, can also be behind it, and so can low levels of electrolytes, minerals such as magnesium, potassium, or calcium.
In brief
A muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary contraction or spasm of one or more muscles. Cramps are very common, often come on after exercise, and can last from a few seconds to several minutes.
The affected muscle contracts without your control and doesn't relax. It feels very tight, sometimes described as a knot, and the pain can be severe.
The most common cause is straining or overusing a muscle. Other causes include dehydration and low levels of electrolytes, which are minerals such as magnesium, potassium, or calcium.
Sources (2)
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH)Muscle CrampsPublished
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine (NIH)Charley horsePublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated