A painful spasm in a muscle caused by excessive and prolonged contraction of the muscle fibres. Cramps often occur as a result of increased muscular activity, which causes a buildup of lactic acid and other chemicals in the muscles, and small areas of musclefibre damage. Repetitive movements, such as writing (see cramp, writer’s) or sitting or lying in an awkward position may also cause cramp. Cramp may follow profuse sweating because loss of sodium salts disrupts muscle cell activity. Massaging or stretching the muscles involved may bring relief. A drug containing calcium or quinine may be given for recurrent night cramps. Recurrent, sudden pain in a muscle that is not associated with hardness of the muscle may be caused by peripheral vascular disease. In this case, the condition should be investigated and treated by a doctor.
Cramp |
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