Cramps can affect virtually any muscle or group of muscle groups in the human body. Cramps can be categorized into these types:
a) true cramps
b) relaxation cramps
c) cramps caused by dehydration
d) cramps in pregnancy
e) cramps as a outcome of injury
f) cramps caused by vigorous exercise
g) cramps as a end result of redistribution of body fluids
h) cramps due to electrolyte imbalance
i) tetany
j) muscle contractures
k) cramps due to muscle dystonia
l) cramps as a end result of medication (iatrogenic cramps)
m) cramps caused by circulatory problems
n) cramps due to vitamin deficiency
True cramps: are as a consequence of elevated excitability of the muscle fibers (skeletal muscle groups) caused by multiple factors including elevated or uncommon physical exertion or exercise. The rise in lactic acid within the muscle fibers can play a role in this occurrence. Most muscle cramps are in this category. The most common locations, by far, affected by true cramps, are the legs.
Relaxation cramps: are a variant of true cramps and are normally seen in older adults. However younger people can also be affected. These cramps are normally nocturnal (i.e. occurring at night) and are caused by sudden actions throughout sleep which trigger muscle reactions and cramps. Often these are painless, however they can disturb sleep.
Cramps following trauma are an outcome of injury to the affected muscle. Broken bone fragments could compound the problem, by irritating the muscle fibers.
Dehydration and cramps: extended sweating following physical exercise causes a lack of sodium salts and fluid in the body. This causes electrolyte imbalance resulting in leg cramps. Other conditions causing dehydration are the usage of diuretics, or medicines which increase unrination. Diuretics are commonly used to treat cardiac and liver conditions, like heart failure and cirrhosis respectively.
Redistribution of body fluids causing cramps:
In circumstances like cirrhosis, a degenerative illness of the liver, fluid builds up in some regions of the body like the abdominal cavity (known as ascites), changing the situation of fluids from the limbs to the abdomen. This leads to a deficiency of fluid and sodium in the limbs, leading to leg cramps. Comparable symptoms may be seen in renal failure (kidney failure), with fluid collection within the chest (pleural effusion) and ascites.
Tetany: marked reduction within the parathyroid gland functioning may cause tetany. This type of cramps impacts the whole body. The parathyroid glands are 2 pairs of small endocrine glands present on both sides of the neck behind the thyroid gland. These glands regulate the level of calcium in the blood and metabolism of calcium within the body. Low amounts of calcium as a consequence of hypofunctioning (decreased operation) of theseglands causes generalized spasm of all the skeletal muscles of the physique leading to life threatening cramps. However, tetany can't be considered as 'true cramps'.
Muscle contractures:
Extended contractions of skeletal muscle tissues are known as contractures when these muscle groups are unable to arrive at a relaxed state. Adjustments in the levels of chemical ATP (adenosine tri phosphate) are to blame for this condition.
Medication and cramps: medicines used to increase urine output (like furosemide) and those used to treat conditions such as Alzheimer's disease may also trigger muscle cramps.
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