Health Issues

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 What Causes Muscle Cramps?

Cramps are more common during exercise in the heat because sweat contains fluids as well as electrolyte (salt, potassium, magnesium and calcium). When these nutrients fall to certain levels, the incidence of muscle spasms increases.

One of the most useful things you can do to help prevent muscle cramps and spasms is to work on improving your overall general health and fitness. Improving your cardiovascular fitness will improve the delivery of blood to your muscles, which will ensure that they have adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients to function properly.

Another key activity that will help to prevent cramps and spasms is stretching. Keeping your muscles loose and flexible will help to stop them from tightening up and cramping. Be sure to stretch the muscles groups that are most prone to cramping both before and after exercise or strenuous physical activity.

If you seem to be prone to muscle cramps and spasms you should also look at increasing your intake of minerals and electrolytes. The minerals that are most important are Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium.

How To Treat Muscle Cramps?

You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. For many cramps of the feet and legs, standing up and walking around will help stretch out the muscle.

Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak.

Making sure you drink plenty of liquids.