Muscle Spasm and Muscle Cramp
There is often confusion about muscle cramp and spasm in modern clinical practice. I just tried to explain these terms to lessen the confusion.
Muscle Cramp پٹھوں کا درد
Muscle Spasm پٹھوں کا کھچنا
Muscle Spasm
The spasm occurs abruptly, is painful, and is usually short-lived.
.اچانک اچانک پھیلتا ہے، دردناک ہے، اور عام طور پر مختصر رہتا ہے
Any involuntary muscle contraction, whether or not it is painful.
Muscle Cramp
A painful and involuntary muscular contraction.
.ایک دردناک اور غیر جانبدار پٹھوں کا سکڑاو
A sustained muscle spasm is called a muscle cramp.
So, broadly defined, a muscle cramp is a sub-type of spasm.
Another name of muscle cramps is Charley Horse, a common injury for athletes (especially in the thigh or calf).
Clinical features of Cramps
- Acutely painful and may result in persistent (48–72 hours) soreness, swelling.
- Visible, palpable contraction.
- Usually in one muscle or part of a muscle.
- Stretching the muscle usually terminates cramp, as does flexing the opposing (antagonist) muscles.
Causes of Muscle Spasm
- Muscle fatigue.
- Exercising in heated temperatures.
- Dehydration.
- Electrolyte imbalances in potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Causes of Muscle Cramps
- No apparent cause
- Nocturnal leg cramps in the elderly
- Exercise-related
- Lower motor neuron disorders
- After poliomyelitis
- Radiculopathy Neuropathy
- Metabolic disorders
- Pregnancy
- Uremia
- Diarrhea, vomiting
- Diuretic therapy
- Hereditary disorders
- Antibodies to voltage-gated potassium channels
What does a muscle spasm feel like?
Muscle spasms range in intensity from mild twitches to severe pain. It may show visible signs of twitching(a slight jerk of a body part) or (a short sudden pull or jerk). Spasms may typically last from seconds to 15 minutes or longer.
Medication for Spasm and Cramp:
I think it would be important to check with a physician if you are having repeated cramping, especially throughout the day; some of these conditions are life-threatening. Also, these different causes would all require different treatment, so, unfortunately, there’s no easy one-size-fits-all answer.
Some things that have been tried and have often been found to clinically helpful , but not conclusively identified as “cures” would include medications/supplements including quinone, and supplementation of electrolytes (drinks, foods, or topical sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium; although which is needed will depend, again, on what the situation is — too much of the wrong mineral and you’ve got another problem). An Ice pack may also be helpful to “turn off” a really brutal, long-lasting cramp, by effectively shutting off the motor endplates, because cold applications slow down nerve conduction.
