Cramp is a painful, uncontrolled contraction of one or more muscles. Cramps may involve any muscular area of the body. There may be only a single spasm (contraction) of the muscle, but usually it is followed by more intense cramping that begins and ends quickly and abruptly. A severe muscle spasm may continue for several hours or even days if untreated.
Cramps can occur either in skeletal muscles or in smooth muscles. When work is unusually hard and repetitious over long periods, the involved skeletal muscles often will cramp. Also, cramping is more likely to develop when one works or performs physical activity in the heat. This condition is called heat cramp and is associated with heavy sweating and loss of salt from the body. For example, foundry workers and fire fighters do heavy work in the heat and may develop cramps in their arms and legs.
Athletes often develop cramps in the muscles they use most strenuously. For example, runners may develop cramps in their legs. Cramps also can develop when certain muscles are used too much in performing ordinary, daily tasks. For instance, a person who writes for a long time may develop writer’s cramp.
Perhaps the best-known cramps are those of the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines. These may result from poor eating habits or from chilling the stomach. They often cause common stomachaches. Cramps are also characteristic of many diseases.
Doctors treat cramps with heat and massage, and give medicines to relieve pain. They may also administer drugs that relax the muscles.
