The Difference Between Muscle Cramps and Muscle Spasms

What Is the Difference Between Muscle Cramps and Muscle Spasms?

Muscle pain can arise from various causes, such as muscle spasms, muscle cramps, and muscle strains. Muscle spasms and muscle cramps usually occur when the muscles involuntarily contract. Muscle spasms are when involuntary contraction happens, and the muscles relax on their own, whereas if the contraction sustains for a long time, it is said to be muscle cramps. Muscle cramps and muscle spasms often occur suddenly, and they can be painful.

Muscle spasms are referred to as short-term contractions of muscles that sometimes cause extreme pain and no pain at all in some cases. Muscle cramps are referred to as painful muscle spasms that are sustained for a long period. Both the spasms and cramps affect the muscles of the feet, calves, thighs, arms, hands, and abdomen. Spasms and cramps that occur in calves are said to be Charley horses, and leg cramps that occur at night when the body is at rest are said to be nocturnal leg cramps.

Muscle relaxants, stretching exercises, and massage therapies treat muscle spasms and cramps. As these are unpredictable, it is difficult to prevent them. Muscle spasms and muscle cramps are more common with age. It happens during physical activities like walking, sitting, performing exercises, or sleeping. It tends to recur many times.

What Are the Symptoms of Muscle Spasms and Muscle Cramps?

Muscle spasms and muscle cramps vary according to their intensity, from mild to severe. They appear as tightness in affected muscles. They feel harder to touch, and they appear visibly distorted. It may cause uncomfortable cramps in the muscles, which tend to cause intense pain. Muscle spasms and muscle cramps usually last a few seconds to 15 minutes. In some patients, the cramp accompanies by a bulged lump of muscle tissue under the skin.

What Causes Muscle Spasms and Muscle Cramps?

Both muscle spasms and muscle cramps are of an idiopathic cause which means unknown cause. The most common cause is aging. Even though the cause is unknown, some studies and researchers believe that muscle spasms and muscle cramps may be caused by:

• Lack of stretching activities.

• Muscle fatigue.

• Doing workouts in excess heat surroundings.

• Dehydration (excessive loss of fluids in the body).

• Depletion of electrolytes and minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium.

• Stress.

• Overuse of muscles.

• Obstruction of blood vessels that causes restrictions in blood supply to legs and feet.

• Doing high-intensity exercises.

• Compression of spinal nerves while walking and standing can cause spasms and cramps.

• Pregnancy.

• Chronic alcoholism.

• Renal failure.

• Hypothyroidism.

Some medications used to treat some medical conditions are known to produce muscle cramps and muscle spasms. They are:

• Antihypertensive drugs.

• Drugs used to treat heart diseases.

• Medications used to treat cholesterol.

• Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease.

• Medicines used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

How Muscle Cramps and Muscle Spasms Are Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosis

First, the healthcare providers take the patient's complete medical history and medication history. In addition, the doctors may raise questions to diagnose the condition. Healthcare providers rule out the type of pain and its intensity, duration, and location of the muscle affected. They also rule out how long the cramps or spasms last, and they physically examine the area of the spastic muscle.

If the contraction does not relax and lasts for a long time, doctors may recommend electromyography (EMG) to identify muscle activity and abnormalities. MRI (magnetic resource imaging) and myelography may also be helpful.

Treatments

If the person is suddenly affected by muscles spasms or cramps while walking, exercising, or sleeping,

• The person can stretch the affected area.

• The person can massage the affected area with their hands or with the help of rollers.

• The person can stand up and walk around to relax the muscles.

• The pain in the spastic muscles can be eased by hot or cold packs and also by taking warm baths.

• For sudden relief from the pain, the person can consume painkillers such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen.

• The person may also consume muscle relaxants if they are already in use of it.

• Sometimes consumption of vitamin B12 complex supplements can lower the spastic attack of the muscles.

• Calcium or potassium supplements are recommended if the spasms and cramps are due to a depletion of minerals.

• If the spasms and cramps do not go away, getting massage therapy is the best choice for treating them.

How Muscle Cramps and Muscle Spasms Are Prevented?

Muscle cramps and muscle spasms are prevented by reducing the activities that strain their muscles. The simplest way is to avoid or limit exercises that strain muscles and cause spasms and cramps. The muscle spasms and cramps are prevented by

• Doing stretches or warm up before any high-intensity exercises and sports activities.

• Avoiding exercises immediately after eating.

• Lowering the intake of caffeine that is present in drinks and foods like chocolate and coffee.

• Keeping hydrated by drinking a sufficient amount of water that is usually lost while doing exercises and physical activities.

• Increasing the intake of foods that contain more amount of minerals such as calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium.

• By taking vitamins and minerals supplements after consultation with healthcare professionals.

• Avoiding medications that cause muscle spasms and muscle cramps.

• By performing flexibility exercises daily.

• Avoiding exercising in hot weather.

• Wearing properly fitted shoes.

• Maintaining BMI (body mass index).

• Doing mild stretching exercises before going to bed to prevent nocturnal leg cramps.

When Should a Person With Muscle Spasms and Cramps Consult a Doctor?

• The person should reach out to the doctor if the pain caused by muscle spasms and cramps is unbearable or if it happens frequently and is long-lasting.

• They can see a doctor if they experience significant pain, swelling, or numbness of the affected area or changes in the skin of the affected area.

• The person should contact the doctor if the muscle spasms and cramps are due to any serious medical conditions.

Conclusion

Muscle cramps and muscle spasms are both involuntary muscle contractions, but they are slightly different in terms of duration, intensity, and underlying causes. Usually, muscles spasm disappears in minutes. If the muscle cramps last longer, consulting with a healthcare professional is always recommended for proper diagnosis and treatment.