Muscle cramps, also called spasms, occur when muscles severely contract or shorten. Cramps can affect the skeletal muscles of the thigh, calf and arch of the foot. The common name for the latter type of cramp is "Charley horse." The smooth muscles of the intestines, uterus or urethra--the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body--can experience cramps as well. Cramps can cause pain that ranges from mild to so debilitating you can't stand up. Many factors can contribute to the onset of cramps, including what you consume.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com reports that dehydration and lack of the minerals potassium, magnesium and calcium can bring on skeletal muscle cramps. In a July 2007 "Seattle Times" article, Astrid Pujari, M.D. suggests that you increase your intake of these minerals as a first step in alleviating these kinds of muscle cramps. Pujari recommends limiting the amount of sodium you consume because a high sodium intake can decrease your body's potassium levels.
Prevention
Fruits and vegetables are the best source of potassium, says Pujari, including bananas, oranges, cauliflower and leafy greens, which are also good sources of calcium and magnesium. According to The World's Healthiest Foods website, other foods that provide magnesium include sunflower, sesame and flax seeds. When cooking vegetables, cautions the site, take care not to overcook them, because doing so depletes their supply of minerals.
Remedy
Dietary causes of intestinal cramps listed on HealthCentral.com are lactose intolerance, which is being unable to consume the sugar lactose that comes from milk products; food allergies; and food poisoning. If you're consuming something that causes you to experience intestinal cramps, when you eliminate the problem food or foods from your diet, your cramps should disappear.
Solution
Menstrual cramps are often simply called "cramps." The medical name for them is dysmenorrhea. These cramps differ from intestinal cramps in that, while both types of cramps cause abdominal pain, menstrual cramps affect the uterus, not the intestines. Doctors believe menstrual cramps occur when the body releases hormones called prostaglandins, which make the uterus contract. In the January 15, 2005 issue of "American Family Physician," Linda French, M.D. recommends these dietary remedies for menstrual cramps: toki-shakuyaku-san, a Japanese herb; the vitamins thiamine and vitamin E; Omega-3 fish oil supplements and fish that contain it; and low-fat vegetarianism.
Expert Insight
In "Menstrual Cramps--Self Help Book," Dr. Susan M. Lark recommends flax seed for the treatment of menstrual cramps, saying that its benefits for treatment of the condition are similar to those of Omega-3 fish oil. She says that both Omega-3 and flaxseed oils inhibit the release of the prostaglandins that lead to uterine contractions. Lark recommends taking 1 to 2 tsp. of flaxseed daily. She also suggests avoiding red meat, dairy products, chocolate, alcohol and salt because these can trigger cramps.
Warning
The National Institutes of Health's Medline Plus website states that you can prevent urinary tract infections, and the cramps that come with them, by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. Cranberry juice, tea and supplements may also help. The site warns against drinking anything that can irritate your bladder such as caffeine and alcohol. Since pain in the urinary tract could mean you have a kidney infection, or kidney stones--two very serious conditions--such pain warrants a visit to the doctor, says MedlinePlus.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Muscle Cramp
- "The Seattle Times"; Try Minerals First for Muscle Cramps; Astrid Pujari, M.D.; July 8, 2007
- The World's Healthiest Foods: Magnesium
- "American Family Physician"; Dysmenorrhea; Linda French, M.D., January 2005
- "Menstrual Cramps"; Susan M. Lark, M.D.; November 1995
- National Institutes of Health: Urinary Tract Infection--Adults
