Cramping muscles are commonly associated with the vigorous use of muscles and with muscle fatigue and dehydration
Muscles spasms or muscle cramps can be described as that awkward stiffening feeling associated with sudden over shortening or contraction of muscles. This can often be cured effectively with slow and gradual stretching.
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Muscle and body movement
The word ‘muscle’ originates from the Latin word ‘musculus‘ and means the little mouse. It is a group of contractile tissues which has its origination in the mesodermal layer of germs cells of Embryo. Muscles with their contractile behavior are mainly responsible for body movements.
Muscle Spasms
In normal cases, these voluntary muscles start contracting when thebrain sends electrical signals along motor neurons, the nerve cells. These motor neurons act as a catalyst and stimulate the activation of calcium ions within the cells of muscle. There are two types of proteins present in the muscle cells -Actin and Myosin. The release of calcium ions leads to the interaction of these ions with proteins which results in the sliding of proteins past one another. These motions of proteins result in contracting the muscle cell by pulling their stationary ends. Recapture of ions causes the unlinking of proteins and results again in relaxing of muscle.
Muscle Spasm
Some times people have an awkward feeling of tightness in the muscles of their back, neck arms, or legs. Sometimes, sports persons, athletes or people involved in strenuous activities get cramps in their muscles. Both these forms are known as muscle spasms.
A muscle Spasm is an unexpected, sudden, abrupt involuntary contraction or over- shortening of any single muscle or group of muscles. It can be also a temporary and sudden rise of motion, energy. Generally it is characterized by a sudden burst of unpleasant, pain
Every muscle in body is susceptible to muscle spasm, although it is more common in calf muscles or muscles in the back or neck. When muscle spasm is witnessed by the body, the muscle does not relax after sudden stiffening. When it occurs in the leg, it is also known as Charley Horse.
Usually these muscle cramps crop up from simple fatigue of muscles, after sudden heavy exercise when the muscle is not habituated to such extra loads. It can also occur during pregnancy. However, there are a few instances when electrolyte imbalances or disorders in neuromuscular functions trigger spasms. Also, it can be a side effect of certain medication. The sudden movements, particularly a sudden, tweaking movement can catalyze spasms. Gradual and slow stretching is used as an effective solution in such cases.
The mechanism behind Muscle Spasms
In abnormal conditions, unusual contraction activity of muscle cells at any stage can result in these spasms. There is a certain mechanism between the brain and the spinal chord and motor neurons of the central nervous system to regulate contraction activity. Disruption of this system leads to spasm. Any of the following reasons can play an instrumental role in disturbance of the mechanism:
- Being over-sensitive, motor neurons may go astray in their functioning.
- Stimulation takes place without proper contraction as the muscle sheath itself is very sensitive.
- Released Calcium Ions may not get recaptured in time, leading to prolonged contraction of muscles.
Possible reasons behind the interruptions of the brain mechanism includes injured nerve pathways, stroke, trauma, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and over stress on specific muscles. Sometimes, nerve damage can result in a Contracture, a permanent shortening of muscle.
Causes and Treatments
- Poor supply of oxygen to muscle cells is regarded as one of the premiere reasons behind spasms or cramps. This can be treated with deep and slow breathing. A soft massage and slow stretching can be very effective in such cases.
- Electrolyte Disturbance which includes Hypokalemia, characterized by deficiency of potassium and Hypocalemia, deficiency of calcium is other main cause. This can be overcome by introducing supplement diet containing calcium and potassium.
- Dehydration is perhaps the most instrumental factor behind cramps.Sodium loss in muscles due to dehydration produces limb and abdominal cramps. Drinking plenty of water with increased intake of salts can do the wonder.
- Muscle Trauma is an excessive stress on muscles causing mild to severe cramps. The affected area may be inflamed, swollen, or reddened. This is usually characterized by a snapping sound when injury occurs. Slow stretching is again very useful.
- Menstruation is also one of the important causes of cramps of varying magnitude in the abdomen. Menstrual spasms can be overcome with heat application using heating pads, stretching exercises, treatment of ibuprofen.
- Nocturnal Spasms are the muscle cramps that locate in the calves, soles of the feet at night or at the time of rest. They are painful if mixed with the condition of dehydration. These happen due to low levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium and prolonged sitting.
So, whenever muscle spasms appear, it is of utmost importance that all preventive measures be taken like slow stretching and increasing water intake to counter the pain that otherwise might follow!
The following posts on electrolyte balance have been collected for you to choose from
According to a study done by Dr. Tim Noakes, it is “the amount of sodium and potassium in the body that determines the water balance, not the other way around.” Electrolyte balance affects your hydration balance.
Foot Legs Cramps – How To Restore Electrolyte Imbalance
Foot and leg cramps generally cause by deficiency of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, these elements are responsible to transmit electric signal from brain to different parts of body
Several days of low-sodium meals, exhausting workouts and increasing water intake has severely disturbed his body’s electrolyte balance. Luckily, the sodium found in chopped and seasoned chuck steak and diet soda kept him from vomiting
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Awesome information about muscle and muscle spasms . This posting cleared many of my doubts related to muscles. Hope this posting helps people like me. Thanks for posting.