Muscle Cramps (cont.)
Can vitamin deficiencies cause muscle cramps?
Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to
muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1),
pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). The role of deficiency of
these vitamins in causing cramps is unknown.
Can poor circulation cause muscle cramps?
Poor circulation to the legs, which results in inadequate oxygen to the muscle tissue, can cause severe pain in the muscle (sometimes known as claudication pain). This commonly occurs in the calf muscles. While the pain feels virtually identical to that of a severely cramped muscle, the pain does not seem to be a result of the actual muscle cramping. This pain may be due to accumulation of lactic acid and other chemicals in the muscle tissues. It's important to see your doctor if you have pain like this.
What are the symptoms of common muscle cramps?
How are they
diagnosed?
Characteristically, a cramp is painful, often severely so. Usually,
the sufferer must stop whatever activity is under way and seek relief
from the cramp; the person is unable to use the affected muscle while
it is cramping. Severe cramps may be associated with soreness and
swelling, which can occasionally persist up to several days after the
cramp has subsided. At the time of cramping, the knotted muscle will
bulge, feel very firm, and may be tender.
There are no special tests for cramps. Most people know what cramps
are and when they have one. If present during a cramp, the doctor,
or any other bystander, can feel the tense, firm bulge of the cramped
muscle.
Next: What is the treatment of skeletal muscle cramps? »
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