cramp

Dictionary: cramp¹ (krămp) pronunciation

A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.
A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.
cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

v., cramped, cramp·ing, cramps.

v.tr.
To affect with or as if with a cramp.

v.intr.
To suffer from or experience cramps.

[Middle English crampe, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]

cramp² (krămp) pronunciation

A frame with an adjustable part to hold pieces together; a clamp.
A cramp iron.
A compressing or restraining force, influence, or thing.
A confined position or part.

tr.v., cramped, cramp·ing, cramps.

To hold together with a cramp.
To shut in so closely as to restrict the physical freedom of: were cramped in the tiny cubicle.
1. To steer (the wheels of a vehicle) to make a turn.
2. To jam (a wheel) by a short turn.

adj.
Cramped.

idiom:

cramp (one's) style

To restrict or prevent from free action or expression.

[Middle English crampe, probably from Middle Dutch, hook, cramp. Adj., probably akin to Icelandic krappr, constrained, tight, and Old High German cramf, squeezed.]

Search unanswered questions...

Browse: Unanswered questions | Most-recent questions | Reference library

5min Related Video: cramp

Top

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: cramp

Top

Painful, involuntary, sustained contraction of muscle in limbs or some internal organs. Causes may be neurological, reflex, or psychological. Common muscle cramps include swimmer's cramp from overexertion in cold water, heat cramps from loss of salt in sweat, leg cramps, and occupational (e.g., writer's) cramp. Menstrual cramps are uterine muscle contractions before or during menstruation. Cramps occur in diseases including parkinsonism and Huntington chorea. Tetany is severe cramping noticed first in limb muscles.

For more information on cramp, visit Britannica.com.

World of the Body: cramp

Top

Muscle cramps are one of the most common clinical problems suffered by athletes in endurance events. A third to a half of marathon runners and two-thirds of triathletes have been reported to experience exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) at some time in their lives. Other forms of cramp affecting healthy people include nocturnal foot and calf muscle cramps, those arising from certain occupations (such as hand cramps in pianists and typists) and those associated with pregnancy. Cramps can also occur in a variety of relatively rare medical conditions, congenital or acquired, including metabolic or neuromuscular disorders, poisonings, and drug effects. This article will focus principally on EAMC — a spasmodic, painful involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle that occurs during or immediately after muscular exercise — since it is the most studied of the common forms, and has recently become better (though still not completely) understood.

The interest in skeletal muscle cramping associated with exercise was first stimulated at the turn of the century by reports that it occurred during physical work in hot, humid environments, including steam ships and mines. In these early studies the proposed explanation was a disturbance of body fluid and salt balance. The early observations led to the ‘serum electrolyte depletion’ and ‘dehydration’ theories for the cause of the cramps. Such theories are consonant with the fact that widespread cramping is one of the symptoms of severe hyponatraemia (salt deficiency). Thus they are still accepted by some clinicians and applied in practice by many athletes who believe adequate salt and water intake to be important cramp-preventatives.

Recent evidence, however, challenges the salt-and-water view. More than one careful study has shown that most runners with acute EAMC are not salt-deficient, dehydrated, or overheated. Also, cramp among sports people can occur in cold conditions (such as cold water, for swimmers). Factors actually associated with EAMC have been identified using three research approaches: epidemiological investigations; studies on spinal reflex activity during muscle fatigue in animals; and recording of muscle electrical activity (electromyography, EMG) in human volunteers during EAMC. The latter technique demonstrates intense electrical activity, at exceptional frequencies (up to 300 Hz), in both EAMC and occupationally cramped muscles, and indeed in the cramps associated with a number of medical conditions, though not quite all. Critical analysis of these factors has led to the development, by Scwellnus and colleagues, of a novel hypothesis for the cause of EAMC.

It seems that most forms of exercise-associated cramp result from an abnormally sustained activity of the nerve cells in the spinal cord which control skeletal muscle, the alpha motor neurons. Fatigue appears to be the central factor in EAMC. Fatigue enhances the input to the alpha motor neurons from the main receptors in the muscles (muscle spindles) and inhibits the input from the receptors in their tendons (Golgi tendon organs) that signal tension. As the spindle signals excite alpha motor neurons, while those from tendon organs are inhibitory, these fatigue effects can combine to promote uncontrolled activity in the relevant regions of the spinal cord. It is a common experience that cramp may be precipitated by contraction of the muscle from an already shortened position, and this of course is when the tension signal from its tendon is weakest.

In a recent epidemiological study of over 1300 marathon runners, risk factors for EAMC were identified. Cramps were more likely with older age, a longer history of running, a higher body mass index, shorter daily stretching time or irregular stretching habits, and if there was a family history of cramping.

In addition, runners themselves identified specific conditions that were associated with EAMC: high-intensity running (racing), long duration of running (most cramps occur after 30 km in a standard marathon), hill running, subjective muscle fatigue, and poor performance in the race.

The two most important observations from these data are that cramp is associated with running conditions that can lead to premature muscle fatigue, and that poor stretching habits appear to increase the risk.

The muscles most prone to cramping are those that span two joints (for example, the gastrocnemius spanning knee and ankle). These muscles are typically activated when shortened — as in swimming, when the gastrocnemius contracts while the toes are already pointed. In runners, the situation is less clear-cut, but activation is common when only one of the two joints is extended. As the foot strikes the ground, the toes are pointed — the ankle is extended by contraction of the gastrocnemius — whilst the knee is also extended. Then in the load-bearing phase of the stride the foot has flexed, which would stretch the gastrocnemius — but now the knee is bent. The gastrocnemius is then activated again in this relatively shortened position. Such contractions are presumed to produce significantly less tension in the tendons than contractions starting near full extension, resulting in less inhibiting effect on motor neuron activity of the sort described above.

In localized cramp, confined to one or 2 muscle groups, the typical scenario is as follows: there is distressing pain in the muscle that develops gradually over a few minutes during intense or prolonged exercise. The muscle is contracted and hard, and an observer can see fasciculation — small twitchings — over its surface. The onset of the cramp is usually preceded by muscle fatigue and more immediately by a feeling of twitching in the muscle (‘cramp prone state’). This is followed by spasmodic spontaneous contractions and frank cramping if the activity is continued. Relief from the ‘cramp prone state’ occurs if the activity ceases or, temporarily, if the muscle is passively stretched. Once activity stops, there may be alternating periods of cramping and relief.

The athlete who has generalized severe cramping, extending to non-exercising muscle groups, or who is also confused or comatose, presents an emergency. This condition is not typical EAMC as a result of fatigued muscle, but a whole body, usually metabolic, disturbance requiring immediate hospitalization and full investigation.

The immediate treatment for acute EAMC occurring in a sports event, or for cramp experienced in bed, should consist of passive stretching of the affected muscle groups, holding the muscle in stretched position until return to normal muscle length does not lead to recurrence of cramp. General supportive treatment includes maintaining a comfortable temperature and providing fluids if required.

The key to the prevention of acute EAMC is to protect the muscle from developing premature fatigue during exercise. The following advice to athletes is recommended: be well conditioned for the activity; perform regular stretching exercises for the muscle groups that are prone to cramping; and have adequate nutritional intake (carbohydrate and fluid) to prevent premature muscle fatigue during exercise. However, athletes who continue to be prone to EAMC must face the need to perform their activity at a lower intensity or a shorter duration.

— Martin Schwellnus

Bibliography

McGee, S. R. (1990). Muscle cramps. Archives of Internal Medicine, 150, 511-8.
Maughan, R. J. (1986). Exercise-induced muscle cramp: a prospective biochemical study in marathon runners. Journal of Sports Sciences, 4, 31-4.
Schwellnus M. P. (1999). Skeletal muscle cramps during exercise. Physician and Sportsmedicine, 27(12) , 109-15.
Schwellnus, M. P., Derman, E. W., and Noakes, T. D. (1997). Aetiology of skeletal muscle cramps during exercise: a novel hypothesis. Journal of Sports Science, 15(3) , 277-85

Cramp
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	R 25.2
ICD-9	729.82
DiseasesDB	3151
MedlinePlus	003193
MeSH	D009120

Causes

There are numerous causes of cramping:^[1] hyperflexion, hypoxia, exposure to large changes in temperature, dehydration, low blood salt, or low blood calcium. Muscle cramps may also be a symptom or complication of pregnancy, kidney disease, thyroid disease, hypokalemia, or hypocalcemia (as conditions), restless-leg syndrome, varicose veins,^[2] and multiple sclerosis.^[3]

Electrolyte disturbance may cause cramping and tetany of muscles, particularly hypokalaemia (a low level of potassium) and hypocalcaemia (a low level of calcium). This disturbance arises as the body loses large amounts of interstitial fluid through sweat. This interstitial fluid comprises mostly water and table salt (sodium chloride). The loss of osmotically active particles outside of muscle cells leads to a disturbance of the osmotic balance and swelling of muscle cells, as these contain more osmotically active particles. This causes the calcium pump between the muscle lumen and sarcoplasmic reticulum to short circuit; the calcium ions remain bound to the troponin, and the muscle contraction is continued. This may occur when the lactic acid is high in the cells.

As early as 1965, it was observed that leg cramps and restless-leg syndrome can be a result of excess insulin, sometimes called hyperinsulinemia.^[4] Hypoglycemia & reactive hypoglycemia are also known to be associated with excess insulin [or insufficient glucagon], and avoidance of low blood glucose concentration may help to avoid cramps.

Iatrogenic causes

Statins are known to cause myalgia and cramps among other possible adverse reactions or side effects, including substantially lowering blood glucose concentration.^[5] Additional factors, which increase the probability for these adverse side effects, are physical exercise, age, female gender, history of cramps, and hypothyroidism. Up to 80% of athletes using statins suffer significant muscular adverse effects, including cramps;^[6] the rate appears to be approximately 10-25% in a typical population using statins.^[7]^[8] In some cases, these adverse effects will disappear after switching to a different statin; however, they should not be ignored if they persist, as they can, in rare cases, develop into more serious problems. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation can be helpful to avoid some statin-related adverse effects, but currently there is not enough evidence to prove the effectiveness in avoiding myopathy or myalgia.^[9]

Treatment

Muscle cramps can be treated by applying a soft massage on the cramped muscle, stretching hands above the head, inhaling deeply through the mouth, stretching the muscle, and applying heat or cold. Heat improves superficial blood circulation and makes muscles more flexible, so some people find heat to be soothing for muscle cramps. Application of excessive heat or cold to sore muscles may bring on cramps. Pounding on a cramped muscle can increase soreness. Trying to put weight on a cramp too soon can cause another cramp or even a temporary loss of ability to use that muscle. For leg cramps, the quickest treatment involves bending over and grabbing the end of the toes, fully straightening out the leg; the cramp will eventually dissipate.

In the case of inadequate oxygenation, excess lactic acid, produced by anaerobic respiration, builds up and stresses the muscle. In addition to the methods described above, cramps from poor oxygenation can be improved by rapid deep breathing.

Cramps from lack of water and salt can be treated by drinking water and increasing salt intake, respectively.

There is no scientific evidence to support the widely held claim by the sports-nutrition industry that the intake of specially composed electrolyte drinks has any advantage over intake of plain table salt (via drink or food) and water to counter these electrolyte disturbances and muscle cramps in people with a well-functioning renal system.

Eating foods high in potassium can help prevent muscle cramps.^[10]

In the case of cramps caused by varicose veins, treatment of the affected veins with sclerotherapy, endovenous laser, or surgery usually provides relief.

Quinine has been prescribed for the treatment of leg cramps. However, due to the drug's risks, the United States Food and Drug Administration has declared that it should not be used to prevent or treat leg cramps.^[11]

Crampex is the only licensed medicine available without a prescription for both the treatment and the prevention of muscle cramps at night.

Specific types of cramps

Smooth muscle cramps

Smooth muscle contractions lie at the heart of the cramping (or colicky) pain of internal organs. These include the intestine, uterus, ureter (in kidney stone pain), and various others.

Menstrual cramps

Main article: Dysmenorrhea

Menstruation is also highly likely to cause cramps of varying severity in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs. Menstrual cramps can be treated with ibuprofen, acetaminophen (paracetamol), stretching exercises, or the application of heat through such means as warm baths or heating pads. Menstrual cramps that do not respond to self treatment may be symptomatic of endometriosis or other health problems.

Skeletal muscle cramps

Skeletal muscles are muscles that can be voluntarily controlled. Of the skeletal muscles, those which cramp the most often are the calves, thighs, and arches of the foot. These cramps are seemingly associated with strenuous activity and can be intensely painful.

Nocturnal leg cramps

Nocturnal leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the calves, soles of the feet, or other muscles in the body during the night or (less commonly) while resting. Only a few fibers of a muscle may be activated.^[12] The duration of nocturnal leg cramps is highly variable with cramps sometimes only lasting a few seconds and other times several minutes. Soreness in the muscles may remain for some time after the cramp ends. These cramps are more common in older people but may happen to anyone. They can happen quite frequently in teenagers and in some people while they are exercising at night. Nocturnal leg cramps can be very painful, especially if the person is dehydrated. Usually, putting some pressure on the affected leg by walking some distance will make the cramp go away.^[13]

The precise cause of these cramps is unclear. Potential contributing factors are believed to include dehydration, low levels of certain minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium), and the reduced blood flow through the muscles attendant in prolonged sitting or lying down. Less common causes include more serious conditions or the use of drugs.

Nocturnal leg cramps may be relieved by stretching the affected leg and pointing the toes upward. Quickly standing up and walking a few steps may also shorten the duration of a cramp.^[13]

Nocturnal leg cramps (almost exclusively calf cramps) are considered to be 'normal' during the late stages of pregnancy. They can, however, vary in intensity from mild to incredibly painful.

References

^ http://www.medicinenet.com/muscle_cramps/page2.htm#2whatare
^ Bergin J. The Vein Book, Hardcover text, Editor Bergin J , 2007.
^ Muscle Cramps at WebMD
^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14300967
^ [1]
^ Sinzinger H, O'Grady J (2004). "Professional athletes suffering from familial hypercholesterolaemia rarely tolerate statin treatment because of muscular problems". Br J Clin Pharmacol 57 (4): 525–8. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2003.02044.x. PMID 15025753.
^ Bruckert E, Hayem G, Dejager S, Yau C, Bégaud B (2005). "Mild to moderate muscular symptoms with high-dosage statin therapy in hyperlipidemic patients--the PRIMO study". Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 19 (6): 403–14. doi:10.1007/s10557-005-5686-z. PMID 16453090.
^ Dirks, A. J. (2006). "Statin-induced apoptosis and skeletal myopathy". Am. J. Physiol., Cell Physiol. 291 (6): C1208–12. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00226.2006. PMID 16885396.
^ Lamperti C, Naini AB, Lucchini V, et al. (2005). "Muscle coenzyme Q10 level in statin-related myopathy". Arch. Neurol. 62 (11): 1709–12. doi:10.1001/archneur.62.11.1709. PMID 16286544.
^ Ohio State University Extension: News Chow Line: Potassium-rich foods deter muscle cramps
^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2006-12-11). "FDA Orders Unapproved Quinine Drugs from the Market and Cautions Consumers About Off-Label Quinine to Treat Leg Cramps". http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01521.html. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
^ http://www.medicinenet.com/muscle_cramps/article.htm
^ ^a ^b Ray, C. Claiborne (2009-06-09). "Q & A - A Charley Horse in Bed". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/health/09qna.html. Retrieved 2009-06-09.

External links

v • d • e Myopathy (M60-M63, 728)

Pain	Myalgia (Fibromyalgia)

Inflammation	Myositis (Pyomyositis)

Lytic	Muscle weakness · Rhabdomyolysis

Other	Myositis ossificans (Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva) · Compartment syndrome · Diastasis of muscle (Diastasis recti)

muscle, DF+DRCT navs: anat/hist/physio, acquired myopathy/congenital myopathy/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

Symptoms and signs: nervous and musculoskeletal systems (R25-R29, 781.0, 781.2-9)

Primarily nervous system

Primarily CNS

Primarily PNS

Gait abnormality

Steppage gait · Antalgic gait

Primarily muscular

Movement disorders	Spasm (Trismus) · Fasciculation · Fibrillation · Myokymia · Cramp · Restless legs syndrome

Gait abnormality	Myopathic gait · Trendelenburg gait · Pigeon gait

Other	Tetany · Meningism

Primarily skeletal

Rachitic rosary · Clubbing

central nervous system navs: anat/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc
peripheral nervous system navs: anat/histo/physio/dev, noncongen PNS somatic/autonomic/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc
muscle, DF+DRCT navs: anat/hist/physio, acquired myopathy/congenital myopathy/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc
bone and cartilage navs: anat/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous signs, proc

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Donate to Wikimedia

Translations: Cramp

Top

Dansk (Danish)
1.
n. - krampe
v. tr. - give krampe
v. intr. - have krampe

idioms:

cramp someone's style lægge hæmsko på

2.
n. - krampe, skruetvinge
v. tr. - fastholde, forankre
adj. - forkrampet

Nederlands (Dutch)
kramp, klemhaak, klamp, belemmering, verkrampen, insluiten, beperken, met klamp bevestigen, moeilijk te begrijpen, te klein

Français (French)
1.
n. - crampe (musculaire)
v. tr. - être pris de crampes
v. intr. - avoir/souffrir de crampes

idioms:

cramp someone's style priver qn de ses moyens

2.
n. - (Tech) crampon, serre-joint(s), crampon-coudé, espace restreint
v. tr. - (Constr) cramponner, agrafer, gêner, inhiber, limiter, (Aut) diriger (le volant), faire un tournant
adj. - exigu, à l'étroit, illisible, gêné

Deutsch (German)
1.
n. - Krampf
v. - verkrampfen, einengen, einen Krampf bekommen, unter Krämpfen leiden

idioms:

cramp someone's style jmdn. behindern

2.
n. - Bauklammer, Krampe, Einengung, eiserne Klammer
v. - klammern, ankrampen, mit Klammern befestigen, einengen, einschränken, einschlagen (die Räder eines Fahrzeuges), abdrehen
adj. - eng, beengt, schwer verständlich, krampfhaft

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - σύσπαση, κράμπα, (μηχαν.) αγκυρίδα
v. - προκαλώ κράμπα, καθηλώνω, παρεμποδίζω, περιορίζω

idioms:

cramp someone's style εμποδίζω κάποιον να φερθεί φυσικά ή ελεύθερα

Italiano (Italian)
crampo

idioms:

cramp style impacciato

Português (Portuguese)
n. - cãibra (f) (Med.), obstáculo (m) (fig.), prensa (f) de mão (Mec.)
v. - dar cãibra

idioms:

cramp someone's style cortar as asas de alguém (gír.)

Русский (Russian)
судорога

idioms:

cramp someone's style ущемлять

Español (Spanish)
1.
n. - calambre
v. tr. - acalambrar
v. intr. - acalambrarse

idioms:

cramp someone's style cortar los vuelos a alguien, cohibir, impedir que alguien demuestre toda su capacidad

2.
n. - pinza, grapa, obstáculo, traba
v. tr. - engrapar, pinzar, obstaculizar, trabar, girar, dar o tomar una curva
adj. - restringido, difícil de leer o descifrar, agarrotado

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - kramp, krampa (tekn.), klammer (tekn.), ankarjärn, skruvtving, hämsko (bildl.), bundenhet
v. - förorsaka kramp i, knipa ihop, inskränka, kringskära, hämma, hålla ihop m krampa

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
1. 铁夹钳, 铁箍, 夹钳, 约束物, 束缚物, 用夹钳夹紧, 约束, 限制, 妨碍

idioms:

cramp someone's style 妨碍, 讨厌

2. 抽筋, 痉挛, 绞痛, 使痉挛, 狭窄的, 难懂的, 受限制的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
1.
n. - 鐵夾鉗, 鐵箍, 夾鉗, 約束物, 束縛物
v. tr. - 用夾鉗夾緊, 約束, 限制, 妨礙

idioms:

cramp someone's style 妨礙, 討厭

2.
n. - 抽筋, 痙攣, 絞痛
v. tr. - 使痙攣
adj. - 狹窄的, 難懂的, 受限制的

한국어 (Korean)
1.
n. - 경련
v. tr. - 경련을 일으키다
v. intr. - 쥐가 나다

2.
n. - 꺽쇠, 속박, 속박물
v. tr. - 꺽쇠로 죄다, 속박하다, 금하다, 핸들을 꺾다
adj. - 제한된, 읽기 어려운, 해독하기 힘든

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 痙攣, 急激な腹痛, かすがい, 締め具
v. - 束縛する, 痙攣を起こさせる

idioms:

cramp someone's style 自由な行動を阻む

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) تشنج أو تقلص عضلي (فعل) ضيق, شد‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮התכווצות שרירים, עווית, כאבי בטן עזים‬
v. tr. - ‮עצר, הגביל, הצר, כיווץ, ריסן, מנע התנהגות חופשית מ-‬
n. - ‮מלחצת, כליבה, מלחציים, ריסון‬
v. tr. - ‮הידק במלחצת או במלחציים‬
adj. - ‮מהודק, מכווץ‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.

Learn More

	fatigue
	reflexes
	cramp iron

	You have cramping but no bleeding? Read answer...
	Can you cramp and be pregnant? Read answer...
	Do guys get cramps? Read answer...

Help us answer these

	How do you get cramps?
	Cramps when pregnant?
	What does cramps mean?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

Copyrights:

		Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more
		Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		World of the Body. The Oxford Companion to the Body. Copyright © 2001, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Read more
		Food and Fitness. Food and Fitness: A Dictionary of Diet and Exercise. Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Read more
		Thesaurus. Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary Copyright © 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more
		Antonyms. © 1999-2009 by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved. Read more
		English Folklore. A Dictionary of English Folklore. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Read more
		Architecture. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		Sports Science and Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved. Read more
		Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/. Read more
		Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more
		Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Cramp". Read more
		Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Read more

cramp

Contents

Causes

Iatrogenic causes

Treatment

Specific types of cramps

Smooth muscle cramps

Menstrual cramps

Skeletal muscle cramps

Nocturnal leg cramps

See also

References

External links