Clonus, spasm
engl .: convulsion
A cramp is generally understood to mean temporary muscle parts (muscles) that contract rhythmically under pain.
Everyone knows the situation when you suddenly feel stabbing, pinching and pulling in a muscle during a sporting activity. The muscles have cramped and are painful. This means that you can no longer call up your performance. What exactly is behind a cramp, where does it come from and how can I get rid of it or prevent it?
A muscle spasm is an involuntary muscle contraction (tension) that occurs, for example, in the calf muscles or the muscles of the thigh, during or after intense exercise.
Read more on the topic: Leg cramps, cramp in the thigh
This cramp usually lasts a few seconds, but it is painful and prevents the affected part of the body from functioning normally. As a rule, muscle spasms do not come from the muscle itself, but from the nerve that normally controls the muscle.
The brain sends signals in the form of electrical impulses to the muscle via nerve cells. These signals decide whether the muscle should relax or tense. Most cramps occur at the transition from nerve to muscle cell. The nerve cells then randomly send signals to the muscle cell to contract. The process by which the nerves send signals to the muscle in an uncontrolled manner is what we perceive as a muscle spasm, in which the muscle becomes cramped for up to minutes. But not only the muscles are cramped, but also the pain receptors in the affected area are excited and thus cause the pain during the cramp. There can be various reasons for this uncontrolled firing of nerve signals.
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It is thanks to the structure of every muscle that the individual muscle fibers can shift into and against each other and slide past each other. If the individual muscle fibers twist or become entangled, one speaks of a cramp, which for a certain point in time does not make it possible for the muscle fibers to slide past each other as usual and thus guarantee normal movement. Usually a cramp is accompanied by a hardening of the corresponding muscle area. A general distinction is made between muscle spasms of the striated muscles, which mostly affect palpable muscles in the arms and legs, of cerebral, neurological spasms and organic spasms of the smooth muscles.
The following causes can lead to (nocturnal) Cramps of (Calves) Guide muscles:
The electrolyte balance is responsible for the development of cramps, thus:
$config[ads_text2] not foundMany people suffer from leg cramps at least once in their lifetime, it is estimated that 40% of the population is affected.
The cramps can occur at different times of the day and in different situations. For example, some people are woken up by leg cramps at night. For others, the cramps occur during the day during exercise or long periods of sitting, and in the evening in bed.
The causes of these cramps can be of very different nature. In most cases, harmless triggers are hidden behind the cramps.
Two of the most common causes are insufficient and excessive demands on the muscles.
Sitting for long periods of time without compensatory movement, as well as prolonged unnatural postures, can lead to a shortening of the muscles, which then becomes noticeable as cramps when the muscles are strained and stretched under unusual stress.
Furthermore, a lack of fluids and minerals can lead to cramps. Often this occurs with severe vomiting and diarrhea as well as during sporting activities that do not drink enough.
The nerves need the electrolytes to transfer the excitation to the muscles and thus trigger a contraction. Calcium is primarily required for the muscles to function properly. If the required minerals are insufficiently available, the muscles become more reactive, which then leads to cramps.
Another cause of cramps can be nerve damage caused by previous illnesses such as diabetes or external influences such as alcohol consumption. During pregnancy, there may also be cramps in the legs due to an electrolyte shift. However, the cramps can rarely be the expression of a more serious underlying disease, for example amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, or muscle diseases such as dystonia or myotonia.
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$config[ads_text3] not foundA calf cramp causes typical, severe, stabbing pain in the calf. Usually only one side is affected. A cramp usually lasts for one to several minutes and then stops on its own. During a cramp in the calf, you can try to lift the tip of the foot; this movement stretches the calf muscle, which can shorten the cramp and at the same time relieve the pain. It also helps to elevate the affected leg and hold it still. In acute cramps, one can also try to relieve the symptoms by loosening the tense muscles or using dry heat (for example with a cherry stone pillow).
If these cramps are triggered by other causes, these must be eliminated, such as checking for a magnesium deficiency or exchanging anti-seizure medication with others who are better tolerated. Magnesium or quinine sulphate can help with stress-related cramps. Quinine is a preparation that can be used for cramps and, if taken regularly, can also prevent cramps. The use should be discussed with the doctor and the recommended daily dose of 200-400 mg daily should not be exceeded. Typically, convulsions also occur in older people. In order to cope with frequent cramps, a balanced diet rich in magnesium, endurance sports and moderate exercise help. Exercise with the main focus on stretching the muscles can also prevent cramps from occurring again.
If the cramps occur frequently, do not resolve despite stretching or are accompanied by other symptoms such as paralysis, tingling or numbness, a doctor must be consulted for further clarification.
Read more on the topic: Cramps in the legs, thigh cramps
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In the area of the upper abdomen there are many different structures that can lead to complaints in the sense of upper abdominal complaints. Cramps in the upper abdomen are often caused by convulsive contraction of the muscles in the digestive organs. The causes are manifold. The cramps are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, malaise, increased sweating or diarrhea.
Inflammation in the organs such as the gallbladder, stomach or pancreas can cause discomfort in the form of cramps. This inflammation can be caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. Mechanical irritation, such as that caused by gallstones, also causes cramps. The stomach reacts with epigastric cramps in the case of food allergies or intolerances (e.g. milk, wheat flour, etc.), increased coffee or alcohol consumption. Sometimes these symptoms can also be caused by stomach or esophagitis, as well as stomach or intestinal ulcers.
The pancreas can also be felt by cramps when there is inflammation or stones. Inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis) leads to belt-shaped cramps in the upper abdomen, which can extend into the back. Such inflammation can be caused by different triggers. Often there are biliary tract diseases or excessive alcohol consumption. Rapid and thorough treatment is required due to numerous side effects.
For example, cramps in overuse can be caused by processes in the gallbladder and bile ducts. These include inflammation of the gallbladder, known in specialist circles as cholecystitis, and bile duct stones, choledocholithiasis. When gallstones clog the bile ducts, the body reacts by trying to remove the stones by making violent contractions of the bile ducts. Patients report colicky cramps and improvement with exercise. In addition, fever and jaundice can occur. If a gallstone does not resolve on its own, it must be surgically removed. Nowadays, gallstones are removed in a minimally invasive manner using an endoscope.
Diseases that affect the kidneys can also lead to cramps in the upper abdomen. Examples are kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis) and pelvic inflammation (Pyelonephritis) called.
Similar to gallstones, the body tries to remove kidney stones by contractions. The violent contractions are perceived by the patient as cramps in the upper abdomen. Removal is performed surgically if conservative therapy fails. In addition to pain and cramps, pelvic inflammation can cause a variety of other symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, and weight loss.
A splenic infarction as well as a ruptured spleen can in rare cases also cause cramps in the upper abdomen. Depending on the severity of the splenic infarction or rupture, the therapy includes conservative measures up to and including the complete removal of the spleen.
Another rare cause of epigastric cramps can be an atypical heart attack. Women in particular do not necessarily have the typical symptoms of a heart attack. Clarification is therefore urgently recommended.
Far more harmless causes of upper abdominal discomfort are cramps, triggered by the muscles in this area. In the case of untrained beginners, it can happen that these muscles become painfully cramped after training. In terms of feeling, these complaints are comparable to the cramps that one can have in the calf.
In order to treat epigastric cramps, the cause must be found out. In the case of organic causes, the underlying disease must be recognized and treated. In the case of muscle cramps, an initial pause in training and a moderate return to training helps. To improve the symptoms, rest, warmth in the area of pain and possible use of pain medication in consultation with the attending physician help. In order to prevent these complaints, one should also know the cause of the suffering. For example, avoiding the incompatible medication, adapting physical performance to the level of training or treating the underlying condition with a doctor.
Read more on the topic: Cramps in the upper abdomen
Cramps in the lower abdomen are painful, unwanted contractions of muscles in the lower abdomen. This can be caused by diseases of the organs located there or the muscles of the lower abdomen. Abdominal cramps can be accompanied by symptoms such as fever, sweating, nausea, vomiting, pain in this area or even diarrhea. It is advisable to see a doctor in case of abdominal cramps. Since the causes are diverse, it is not so easy to find out where the symptoms are coming from, which is also why a doctor's visit is always recommended. As with cramps in the upper abdomen, numerous differential diagnoses are also possible with cramps in the lower abdomen.
Similar to epigastric cramps, food intolerance or excessive consumption of harmful substances (coffee, nicotine, medication, etc.) can be the cause. The intestine may be inflamed and react with cramps, and inflammation of the intestine is usually accompanied by fever, pain and diarrhea.
If cramps and pain are predominantly on the right side of the lower abdomen, this may be a sign of appendicitis. Here lies an inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis) in front. Typical signs of appendicitis are pressure pain in the right lower abdomen, pain when moving the right leg and pain in letting go of the opposite side. In addition to these signs, the doctor can use laboratory values and ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Therapy consists of the surgical removal of the appendix.
Since the large and small intestines spread throughout the abdomen, an inflammation of the bowel can be the cause of the cramps at any point. Symptoms emphasized on the left speak more for an inflammation in the sigmoid (= s-shaped curved part of the intestine). Many people have bulges in the intestinal wall, the so-called diverticula, and these occur particularly frequently in the sigmoid. If these diverticula become inflamed, one speaks of diverticulitis. This can cause cramps in the lower abdomen. In addition, symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting occur. Diverticulitis is treated either conservatively with fluids and antibiotics or, in more severe cases, surgically.
Also affecting the large intestine, a tumor, i.e. a colon carcinoma, can be responsible for cramps in the lower abdomen. Bloody stools, excessive night sweats and unwanted weight loss are common side effects of colon cancer. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include chemotherapy, radiation, or removal of the tumor.
A bladder infection can also manifest itself through cramping symptoms. Since the bladder wall consists of muscles, this organ too often reacts with cramps when irritated.
In women, there are other specific causes. In women with pelvic complaints, the causes in the area of the uterus and ovaries must always be considered; sometimes the complaints can also be observed in connection with menstruation. The treatment of the complaints depends on the underlying disease. Basically, physical rest, warmth (cherry stone pillow, hot water bottle, warm bathtub) and mild pain relievers can lead to an improvement in symptoms. In rare cases, symptoms hide a serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment. This could manifest itself through unprecedented pain or blood in the stool, for example. Accordingly, a doctor should be contacted quickly.
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An ectopic pregnancy (extrauterine pregnancy) can lead to cramps in the lower abdomen. An extrauterine pregnancy can be life-threatening for the woman as the child grows outside of the uterus. For this reason, it is important to plan exactly how to proceed. In many cases, a surgical or medical abortion is performed so as not to endanger the life of the pregnant woman.
Another cause of cramps in the lower abdomen can be inflammation of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissue (adnexitis). This occurs particularly in younger women and can be caused by various germs. Infertility should be mentioned as a complication. Such inflammation is treated with antibiotics.
Read more on the topic: Cramps in the lower abdomen
Back cramps are often a problem in the muscles. Discomfort and painful changes can occur in the entire area of the back. These muscle tension or cramps can arise from poor posture, but worries and psychological problems can also lead to back pain and cramps.
The cramps are more common in untrained muscles. Mostly a thoughtless movement is enough, the deep muscles cramp like a reflex and it comes to shooting pain. This symptom is popularly known as lumbago. The doctor calls this phenomenon lumbago.
In the case of lumbago, many people are afraid that the pain comes from a herniated disc, but pain that radiates into the shoulders, buttocks or legs is more likely.If you have muscle spasms, the pain is more likely to remain in one place on the back. The spasm in the back causes pain and this in turn leads to further tension - often the start of a vicious circle.
Warmth in the form of hot baths, cherry stone pillows or muscle ointments are helpful for cramps, which increase blood circulation in the area of cramps and thus also generate local heat. As a rule, a cramp in the back will go away after a few hours or days. If this is not the case, it is essential to consult a doctor, as serious causes can be hidden behind such a cramp.
Read more on the topic: lumbago
The doctor collects the athlete's medical history to rule out any previous illnesses. This is followed by a physical examination using normal aids (listening, tapping, viewing, functional tests, etc.). Based on the medical history and examination, further examinations can then be carried out to rule out more serious illnesses. Further examinations may include: blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, ultrasound tests, x-rays or tissue removal.
Cramps can actually occur in any skeletal muscle in the body. However, there are muscles that are primarily affected by this phenomenon. These are primarily the calf, foot, shin and hand muscles. A cramp in the toe, jaw or circular muscle of the eye is also not uncommon.
The treatment of muscle spasms in acute cases is to immediately stretch the affected muscle or to contract the antagonist of the affected muscles. In the case of calf cramps, for example, stretch out the affected leg and pull the tips of your toes up while the knee is pushed all the way through. Regular passive stretching exercises can also be used to improve e.g. contribute to night cramps.
Slightly relaxing massages of the affected muscles bring relief, the muscles are relaxed and the blood circulation increased. In addition, you should make sure that the electrolyte balance is in good order and that heavy sweating during exercise is balanced out with plenty of fluids after exercise. When you sweat, the body loses important salts in particular, which can then be refilled after exercise with a glass of orange juice with a pinch of salt or an alcohol-free beer. Especially in older people, cramps occur in the middle of the night and are therefore particularly uncomfortable.
Nocturnal cramps can be combated well by regular stretching before going to bed. Just three minutes of stretching before going to bed can produce good results.
Magnesium can be the trigger for cramps, but also the antidote. As a tried and tested home remedy, it has only been able to prove its effectiveness in studies in pregnant women. For muscle cramps after exercise, the effectiveness could not produce a similar success. In order to rebalance the electrolyte balance, magnesium is in no way harmful and can therefore be taken without any problems.
A simple way to relieve a leg cramp is a stimulating foot bath. The change between cold and warm water is particularly effective and stimulates blood circulation. As a result, the muscles are better supplied and the muscle cramps are relaxed and released. Incorrect footwear can also be a reason for calf cramps to occur more quickly. It is therefore advisable to identify incorrect footwear and correct them with other shoes or insoles.
Read more on this topic at: Fight cramps.
Anyone who frequently suffers from calf cramps has probably already resorted to preparations that contain magnesium. Cramps can be caused by a lack of magnesium, in these cases the administration of magnesium helps to relieve the cramp. Magnesium acts as an antagonist to calcium and thus prevents a contraction triggered by calcium.
To the chagrin of some of those affected, in some cases the symptoms do not improve, but the leg cramps persist. Magnesium deficiency isn't the only cause of calf cramps. Even with a lack of calcium, pronounced leg cramps can occur. In this case it is more worthwhile to resort to calcium supplements, to increase the calcium intake in the form of dairy products or to clarify whether there are problems with absorption in the gastrointestinal area.
Furthermore, an increased phosphorus level in the blood can lead to painful leg cramps, the cause of this can be a malnutrition with foods such as fast food or carbonated drinks. In this case, it can help to change your diet and switch to healthier food.
Too little fluid can lead to cramps as well as overloading the muscles through too much movement, heavy lifting, carrying or through the extra weight of pregnancy, which then puts more weight on the legs. In all cases, it helps to spare the muscles and to start with moderate exercise in order to then increase the workload.
Systemic diseases of the body can also express themselves as cramps. In diabetes, for example, disease-related nerve damage can occur, and this can lead to calf cramps, especially at night. Muscle disorders can also lead to cramps that cannot be treated with magnesium.
Other triggers of cramps can be circulatory disorders, taking medication and osteoarthritis. Overall, a doctor should be consulted if cramps often develop despite magnesium.
If you want to effectively prevent muscle cramps, it is advisable to always drink enough fluids and also to pay attention to your electrolyte balance. A balanced diet also does its part in preventing muscle cramps.
Magnesium-rich foods such as nuts, spinach and whole grain products should be on the menu. Unhealthy foods like coffee, alcohol, and too much sweets should be avoided. Smoking (nicotine) also increases the likelihood of sudden cramps. Before starting any sporting activity, you should do an appropriate warm-up program. Exercise and alternating baths also lead to an increase in blood flow and thus prevent cramps. When training itself, overload should be avoided, especially in the initial phase of training, as this is where the risk of cramps is highest.
If cramps do not go away with the usual methods and continue to occur, the family doctor should be consulted to clarify the exact reasons. An internist or orthopedic surgeon can also be called in. When it comes to diagnosing muscle spasms, it is crucial to know where exactly the symptoms occur. The intensity and timing of the appearances should also be precisely communicated in order to obtain a good diagnosis.
To prevent cramps, regular exercise and stretching exercises for the legs and back are recommended to prevent muscle shortening. In the case of calf cramps that are caused by too much or too little trace elements in the blood, it is worthwhile to initiate more detailed examinations to find out which trace element is involved. If there is too little magnesium or calcium, these can be taken in addition to food. If too much phosphorus in the blood is responsible for a calf cramp, it can be helpful to change your diet by avoiding unhealthy foods such as fast foods or carbonated soft drinks.
An underestimated cause of leg cramps can be a lack of fluids. In general, you should always ensure that you drink enough fluids throughout the day, so that at the end of the day about 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid in the form of water or unsweetened tea is consumed.
After a strenuous exercise session, cramps can be counteracted by taking magnesium or quinine sulfate. These are both available from pharmacies without a prescription.
Overall, quinine sulfate is considered more effective than magnesium. The effect of these two preparations can show different effectiveness for different users. While magnesium is considered harmless, when using quinine sulphate it should be noted that it can occasionally lead to side effects such as a change in the blood, cardiac arrhythmias and kidney failure.
Magnesium causes a blockage of calcium channels, whereby the transmission of stimuli and the contraction of the muscles are inhibited and cramps are released. A balanced diet with a sufficient amount of magnesium can help prevent cramps. Food supplements such as Biolectra can help the body to prevent magnesium deficiency.
Quinine sulfate works by directly inhibiting the transmitter acetylcholine, which is required to transmit the command to contract to the muscles. Without acetylcholine, there is no contraction and the development of cramps is prevented.
Furthermore, you should make sure that the shoes are comfortable and give the foot a firm hold but do not press.
During a long break from sport, you shouldn't give everything from zero to a hundred, but start slowly and then increase with each training session. The muscles must first adjust to the load again. Overworked muscles lead to cramps. Untrained muscles that are temporarily overloaded can also be more prone to cramps than muscles that are used to frequent exertion. This also includes unwarmed training, but also too long an endurance run. Likewise, the weight of pregnancy can lead to cramps.
One should always observe whether the cramps decrease or persist with the recommended measures for cramps. Helpful measures are stretching the muscle, massaging the cramped muscles, warming the affected area or walking back and forth. If everything remains unsuccessful, it is very important to pay attention to accompanying symptoms. Cramps can be associated with a feeling of tension, overheating, but also with swelling of the respective muscle area. It is advisable to see a doctor in order to avoid worse consequences.
Read more on the topic: Prevent cramps
Muscle spasms can be divided into different types.
Paraphysiological cramps are the most common types of cramps and arise as a result of very intense muscle stress, such as can occur after a competition (marathon, soccer game, etc.).
Symptomatic cramps are mostly due to a neurological or internal illness and have nothing to do with overload or a mineral deficiency. Symptomatic cramps are often caused by underlying internal diseases such as circulatory disorders, leg edema and uremia (urinary poisoning).
Neurological diseases can be nerve damage, ALS (a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system) or increased excitability of the skeletal muscles.
Idiopathic convulsions have no apparent cause and occur randomly.
Many women experience stomach cramps during pregnancy. The reason for this is the unusually heavy strain on ligaments, veins, muscles and organs in the abdominal and pelvic area that occurs during pregnancy. Pregnancy can also lead to cramps in the calves, the cause of which is that the legs are much heavier than usual.
The cramps often occur when standing or walking for a long time. In this case, it can get better if you just sit down for a moment or even lie down. It is best to lie on the non-painful side with your feet up as well.
The important thing is to try to relax and not work against the cramps. Although abdominal cramps during pregnancy are often not a serious cause, it is still advisable to report the pain to the gynecologist. Cramps can also be caused by serious illnesses such as appendicitis, kidney stones and benign growths in the uterus, so-called myomas.
Many pregnant women report night cramps. These result from an unbalanced magnesium balance during pregnancy. Due to the increased need for magnesium, especially in the second half of pregnancy, and a shift in fluids and minerals, there is often a deficiency, which can then lead to cramps due to the increased willingness of the muscles to contract. An adapted intake of magnesium is recommended here as a preventive measure.
Another mineral in the blood is phosphorus, if too much of it occurs in the blood, it also leads to cramps. For example, there is a lot of phosphorus in ready-made meals and all carbonated beverages.
Stretching the affected muscle can help to shorten the spasm. In the calf, it helps to lift the tip of the foot. Massaging is another way to relax the overactive muscles. And warmth is also a good way to calm the muscles. You can also try walking back and forth; movement of the muscle can also lead to the end of the spasm.
The pain and cramps become a cause for concern if they persist and cannot be relieved by the above measures, or if symptoms such as swelling and overheating occur. Then it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Read more on the topic: Cramps during pregnancy
Cause of cramps in the striated muscles, i.e. the muscles that can be felt directly under the skin and which, among other things, Contributing to locomotion can, on the one hand, be purely mechanical entanglements and twisting of the individual muscle fibers; on the other hand, imbalances of the minerals that are important for muscle contraction can lead to cramps. It often happens that, especially during sleep, one lies so unfavorably that one unconsciously carries out unfavorable stretches, especially in the legs, and this entangles the corresponding muscle fibers and causes cramps.
Usually with severe pain, those affected wake up and can feel a hardening and thickening in the affected area, which dissolves again after a few moments with pain relief.
Muscle movement can only take place if there is a balanced ratio of the minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium in the body.
Magnesium ensures that potassium flows into the muscle cell, which ensures that a muscle contraction is stopped. Furthermore, potassium reduces the influx of calcium into the muscle, which in turn is necessary to initiate muscle movement.
Magnesium is therefore involved in stopping muscle movement in two different ways. If there is a deficiency of magnesium in the body, the muscle contraction does not end properly; the result is a permanent contraction which is then perceived as a painful cramp or spasms by those affected. Since potassium is also involved in stopping muscle contraction, a deficiency in this mineral also leads to cramps in the muscles.
Read more on this topic at: Cramps despite magnesium.
In addition to the muscles that are responsible for body movements, most organs, in contrast, have so-called smooth muscles. These muscle cells differ in their structure from the striated muscles. The biggest difference is that these muscles cannot be consciously moved. If the heart or the intestines could be controlled by the will, this could have catastrophic consequences.
A mineral deficiency plays a rather subordinate role in organ cramps. Likewise the mechanical component. Rather, it's inflammation or toxins (Noxious substances), which affect the corresponding organ and thus lead to cramp-like symptoms.
Organs most commonly affected by cramps are organs of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs and bronchi, kidneys, and urinary organs.
Well known to everyone and therefore also the most well-known form, stomach cramps represent. Anyone who has ever eaten the wrong foods, e.g. the bacterium Staph. aureus (the most common causative agent of a harmless one Gastroenteritis) knows what painful and cramp-like symptoms can result from it.
Most of the time these cramps subside after a few minutes, but then increase in intensity again. Going to the toilet, with mostly liquid stools, also leads to improvement. In the case of stomach cramps, it is easy to see that this is not a mechanical cause or a mineral imbalance, but rather a noxious substance (in this case a bacterium) that the gastric mucosa and the intestinal mucosa irritate and thus lead to cramp-like symptoms.
Read more on this topic at: Causes of stomach cramps.
The aim of these cramps is to expel the stomach and intestinal contents, which are classified as harmful to the body, as quickly as possible.
The bronchi of the lungs also have smooth muscle cells. Are these caused by inhaled substances such as If dust or pollen is irritated, the muscles cramp and the air-conducting pathways are narrowed. The affected person then feels short of breath, depending on the severity. Here, too, the point is that substances classified as harmful to the body cannot get any further into the body. If the "toxin" no longer acts, the spasms recede both in the bronchi and in the gastrointestinal tract.
Cramps can also be mechanical. Usually also in connection with smooth muscle cells, solid substances, e.g. a kidney or gallstone that squeezes through the biliary tract or the urinary system and gets stuck, reflex to a narrowing of the smooth muscle layer. This contraction of the muscle layer, also known as colic, is perceived as one of the most severe pains (besides heart attack) in the human body.
Neurological convulsions, also known as epileptic convulsions (epilepsy), have a completely different cause. Neurological processes are mainly influenced by the influx of sodium and the outflow of potassium. Glutamate and gamma-amino-butyric acid are factors that end nerve conduction.
In the central nervous system, the balanced ratio of the individual substances is much more important than in the cells of the striated muscles, because an imbalance between the individual substances lowers the so-called cramp threshold. If this threshold is exceeded, those affected begin to cramp. How strong this happens depends on the type of cramp (different types of convulsions are tonic convulsions, clonic convulsions, tonic-clonic convulsions, focal seizures, generalized seizures, absenteeism and some more).
In most cases, the cramp threshold cannot be raised by adding any minerals, as is the case with striated muscle cells, because it is not just a question of an influenceable imbalance of the substances also known as neurotransmitters, but also of many factors, some of which have not yet been identified.
The likelihood of getting a cramp increases with a lack of sleep, increased alcohol consumption, bleeding or vascular occlusions in the brain and much more. A genetically inherited component of seizures is also known. In contrast to the non-neurological seizures of the striated muscles, in which the cramps occur directly in the respective muscle cells, the cause of neurological cramps lies in the brain. Nevertheless, there is a muscle contraction of the mostly striated muscles. If there is a rapid alternation between tensing and slackening of the corresponding muscle cells during a neurological spasm, one speaks of a tonic-clonic seizure. If only one region of the body is affected, one speaks of a partial seizure, if the whole body is affected, one speaks of a systematic seizure.
Neurological seizures are usually associated with loss of consciousness, and those affected do not notice it. The greatest danger of epileptic seizures lies in an uncontrolled fall, with often massive and life-threatening injuries. A neurological spasm can last a few seconds or up to half an hour. In the latter case, the spasm must be interrupted with medication, as there is danger to life. Brief seizures do not necessarily need to be treated at the time of the seizure.
Read more about epileptic seizures at: Causes of an Epileptic Seizure.
Especially in young children, there are sometimes suddenly very high body temperatures that occur in connection with neurological cramps. This symptom complex is also known as a febrile seizure. Children who show such symptoms should definitely be examined in a children's clinic. Often even brought to the children's clinic by helicopter, then usually only a slightly increased body temperature indicates the recent febrile seizure. The causes of a febrile seizure can be infections, genetic, age-specific brain changes and a temperature sensitivity of GABA receptors in the brain.
10-20% of all newborns suffer from this clinical picture. In most cases, the cramp-like abdominal pain begins at the age of 2-4 weeks and ends at around three months. The pain usually begins in the afternoon and continues into the late evening hours. The pain usually starts right after meals. The cause is seen in the child's still immature digestive tract, which makes particularly strong movements when eating, which is then perceived as pain. It is also discussed whether the symptoms are caused by excessive intestinal gas development.
Read more on this topic: Colic for three months.
The prototype of hormone-related cramps are menstrual cycle-related symptoms. Younger women in particular, whose bodies still have to adjust to a balanced hormone balance, often react to an imbalance in female hormones with cramp-like pelvic pain, which, however, usually subsides after the end of their period.
Read more on this topic at: Menstrual pain.
There are also a few important points to watch out for when having cramps.
If you have a cramp in your calf, you should definitely not try to help your leg suddenly. The stretching of the muscles should always be done carefully and slowly and without springing. With fast and jerky movements you only run the risk of tearing a muscle.
After a cramp, you should first stop exercising and allow the affected muscle a little rest and relaxation. If you continue to do sports, the cramp will certainly return.
Before jumping into a swimming pool, you should always check the water temperature and always take a shower beforehand. Suddenly cold water can also cause a cramp. If it does happen that you get a cramp in the water, you should definitely avoid panic and stay calm. You should also try to swim to the edge with the help of your arm strength or let yourself float on your back and try to stretch the muscle in the process. You should never swim longer swimming distances alone, always have a partner with you.
