Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps are usually harmless and don’t require medical attention. However, you should see a doctor if your muscle cramps are severe, don’t improve with stretching, or persist for a long time. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

To learn the cause of muscle cramps, your doctor will perform a physical examination. They may ask you questions, such as:

How often do your muscle cramps occur?

Which muscles are affected?

Do you take any medications?

Do you drink alcohol?

What are your exercise habits?

How much liquid do you drink on a daily basis?

You may also need a blood test to check the levels of potassium and calcium in your blood, as well as your kidney and thyroid function. You may also take a pregnancy test.

You can apply a hot or cold compress to your sore muscles at the first sign of a spasm to ease the pain of muscle cramps. You can use any of the following:

a hot cloth

a heating pad

a cold cloth

ice

Stretching the affected muscle can also alleviate the pain of muscle cramps. For example, if your calf is cramping, you could pull your foot upward with your hand to stretch the calf muscle.

If your pain doesn’t improve, try taking an over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen. It may also help to stretch the sore muscles gently.

Muscle cramps can interrupt your sleep. If this happens, talk to your doctor about a prescription muscle relaxer. This medication helps relax your muscles and calm spasms.

Controlling the underlying cause of muscle cramps can improve your symptoms and ease spasms. For example, your doctor may recommend supplements if low calcium or potassium levels are triggering cramps.