The excruciating pain of a muscle cramp can stop you in your tracks during a workout. In most cases, though, the cramp is probably not serious and you can resolve it on your own in a matter of minutes. If you are prone to getting cramps, however, it's a good idea to understand what causes them as well as how to treat and prevent them.
Leg Cramps
When your leg muscles cramp, it means the affected muscles have contracted strongly but then failed to relax. Overuse of a muscle or a muscle injury can also lead to muscle cramps. Any muscle in your body can cramp suddenly, but cramps most often develop in muscles that span multiple joints. The muscles in the calves, quadriceps and hamstrings are among the most commonly affected muscles.
Causes
A long period of physical activity or a particularly intense workout can ignite muscle cramps in your legs. Commonly, though, cramps develop when you are dehydrated or your electrolyte levels are low, often because of excessive sweating while working out. In some cases, underlying medical conditions can also increase your likelihood of developing muscle cramps, although in these cases they are not necessarily precipitated by exercise. Health conditions that can cause cramps include kidney failure, kidney disease, metabolic disorders and hypothyroidism, notes MedlinePlus.
Treatment
When you feel a leg cramp developing, stop your workout and stretch or massage the affected muscle. In many cases, this will be enough to stop the cramp from progressing. You can also use a heating pad or warm compresses to help relax the muscle. Later, after the cramping has subsided, you may experience pain and soreness in the affected area; treat the pain with ice packs or cool compresses, and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
Prevention
stay hydrated during your workouts. If you are very active, you may also need to increase your potassium intake by eating foods like bananas. Regular stretching can also keep cramps at bay, as can a good, properly fitting pair of shoes. If your cramps are severe of occur frequently, discuss the problem with your health practitioner. He may prescribe a medication that can reduce the likelihood of muscle cramps.
