Muscle cramps

A sudden, involuntary, painful, and sustained contraction of skeletal muscle fibers involving part or all of a muscle or muscle group, often accompanied by palpable muscle hardening and transient functional impairment.

Causes

• Exercise-related muscle fatigue

• Fluid and electrolyte causes

  • Dehydration

  • Hypocalcemia

  • Hypomagnesemia

  • Hypokalemia

• Neurological causes

  • Spinal nerve compression

  • Peripheral neuropathy

  • Motor neuron disorders

  • Radiculopathy

• Vascular causes

  • Poor peripheral blood circulation

  • Peripheral arterial disease

  • Venous insufficiency

• Systemic causes

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Pregnancy

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Liver disease

• Medications affecting electrolyte balance or muscle metabolism

  • Diuretics

  • Statins

  • β-agonists