February 10, 2012
Topics A-Z Pain Foot and Calf Cramps
Foot and Calf Cramps |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi Doctor, my name is Adeline and im 13 and I've been getting foot cramps since i was about 8 or 9 and they last for about 15-20 minutes. The cramps limit me from doing my favourite sports and I've already given up on ice skating, basketball, rollerblading. And now I've also been getting cramps in my calf at night and it hurts like CRAZY!! I've already been taking some physiotherapist appointments but all I want to know is how can I stop cramps when I'm that situation again and what causes foot cramps. Dear Adeline: A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. Muscle cramps can result in intense pain and leave you temporarily unable to use the affected muscles. Common causes of muscle cramps include overuse and dehydration during physical activity in warm weather. Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period of time may result in a muscle cramp. Athletes who become fatigued and dehydrated while participating in warm-weather sports frequently develop muscle cramps. In many cases, however, the exact cause of a muscle cramp isn't identified. Some medications and certain medical conditions also may cause muscle cramps. You can usually treat muscle cramps at home with self-care measures as follows: stretching exercises that can help you reduce your chances of getting muscle cramps. Making sure you stay well hydrated also can help. For recurrent cramps that disturb your sleep, your doctor may prescribe a medication to relax your muscles. Muscle cramps usually disappear on their own, and are rarely serious enough to require medical care. However, if you experience frequent and severe muscle cramps or if your cramps disturb your sleep, see your doctor. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 March 2010 ) |
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