Muscle Spasm – What is it, Causes and Treatments!

Muscle Spasm – What it is, Causes and Treatments of this condition. In addition, Muscle Spasm   is characterized by severe pain in one or more parts of the body. The  intense pain of a Muscle Spasm   can wake you up at night or make it difficult to walk. A sudden, sharp pain  that lasts from a few seconds to 15 minutes is the most common symptom of a muscle spasm  . However, in some cases, a heady lump of muscle tissue under the skin can also accompany a Muscle Spasm  .

There are several types of Muscle Spasm  .   The most well-known type of Muscle Spasm is cramp , which is nothing more than a painful muscle contraction. Most people who have cramps experience these muscle spasms of a benign nature as the body’s reaction to stress. But other, much more complex causes, such as some neurological diseases and fluid and electrolyte disorders, can be the source of frequent cramps. In these cases, looking for a specialist is essential.

Causes: Many things can trigger a Muscle Spasm  . They include:

• Poor blood circulation in the legs;
• Working the calf muscles very hard while exercising;
• Not getting in enough;
• Being active in hot temperatures;
• Muscle fatigue;
• Dehydration;
• Magnesium and/or potassium deficiency;
• A problem such as a spinal cord injury or pinched nerve in the neck or back.

Muscle Spasm   can also occur as a side effect of some drugs.

Symptoms: Muscle Spasm   may be accompanied by mild or severe pain  in the affected region. If the contraction is caused by any underlying disease that is serious in nature, the pain  can become unbearable. In severe cases, it can even lead to a kind of mania or unconsciousness. Also, the affected region becomes very smooth.

Involuntary muscle contractions is also one of the symptoms of Muscle Spasm  .

Diagnosis: Muscle Spasm is usually harmless, and does not require medical attention. However, you should see a doctor if Muscle Spasm   is severe, does not improve with stretching, or persists for a long time. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

To identify the cause of Muscle Spasm  , your doctor will perform a physical exam. They may ask you questions such as:

• How often does your  Muscle Spasm  occur?
• Which muscles are affected?
• Do you take any medications?
• You drink alcohol?
• What are your exercise habits?
• How many liquids do you drink daily?

You may also need a blood test to check your blood potassium and calcium levels, as well as your kidney and thyroid function. You can also take a pregnancy test. Your doctor may order an electromyogram. This is a test that measures muscle activity and checks for muscle abnormalities.

Another test that may be helpful is myelography, which is an imaging tool that creates an image of your spinal cord. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing weakness, pain ,  or loss of sensation. These symptoms could be signs of a nervous disorder.

Treatments: You can apply a hot or cold compress to your sore muscles at the first sign of Muscle Spasm  , to relieve pain . You can use any of the following:

• A warm cloth;
• A heating pad;
• A cold cloth;
• Ice.

Stretching the affected muscle can also relieve  muscle spasm pain  . For example, if your calf is spasming, you can pull your foot up with your hand to stretch your calf muscle. If your pain doesn’t improve, try taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. It can also help to stretch sore muscles gently.

Muscle Spasm can interrupt your sleep. If this happens, talk to your doctor about a prescription muscle relaxer. You should discuss treatment options with your doctor if you have an underlying medical condition.

Controlling the underlying cause of Muscle Spasm   can improve your symptoms and relieve the spasm. For example, your doctor may recommend supplements if low levels of calcium or potassium are triggering muscle spasm  .