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MUSCLE CRAMP

These are involuntary, painful and transitory contractions of one or more muscles, especially of the calf or abdomen. According to the frequency, the two most characteristic ones are: night leg cramps and heat cramps.

NIGHT LEG CRAMPS occur as sudden and painful leg muscle contractions. Even though the cause is not known in most cases, they usually happen in people with lower limb venous problems. If they are frequent, muscle relaxants relieve the cramps. In an acute case, the patient is relieved by dorsal flexion of the affected foot, or pushing the foot down on the floor in the opposite contraction way (see picture). Muscle massage is less efficient.

HEAT CRAMPS are due to excessive salt loss (sodium chloride) after profuse sweating in people under intense physical exertion exposed to a high temperature environment: it is common, for example, in the engine room. They usually start suddenly, affecting limb muscles first. Cramps make muscles feel like tight knots. When they only affect abdominal muscles, they may give the impression of an "acute abdomen" (ulcer perforation, appendicitis, liver colic, etc.). Essential life processes may be normal; the skin may be dry and warm or thick and cold, according to humidity. In most cases they are avoided or relieved quickly by keeping away from the heat, and drinking liquids or eating foods that contain salt. To prevent this, use salt tablets, but moderately as they may cause gastric irritation and circulatory dysfunction in excessive doses.