What Causes Muscle Cramps?

What causes muscle cramps? Muscle cramps are painful, uncontrollable tightening of a muscle or muscle group. They happen suddenly, without warning, at any time during the day or night. There are some common causes of muscle cramps. Treatment for muscle cramps can be as simple as figuring out the cause and adjusting your habits or diet. Here are some of the common causes of muscle cramps and a few ways to help avoid them.

Overuse
Too much exercise when you're not used to it can cause muscle fatigue, which contributes to muscle cramps. Injury can also cause muscle cramping. To avoid this, increase exercise gradually and do adequate stretching before and after to warm up the muscles. If you're experiencing muscle cramps several times a day for more than a week, see your doctor to make sure you haven't suffered an injury.

Movement
Sometimes a sudden movement during sleep can trigger a cramp in the leg or foot. This does not have a known cause, but stretching before bed and paying attention to nutritional balance and hydration may help prevent these nighttime cramps.

Nutrition and Hydration
Inadequate liquid intake causes dehydration, which is a known cause of muscle cramps. Getting enough water is especially important before, during and after exercise. Remember that alcohol and caffeine are diuretics and will not help hydrate you. Water is the best choice. If you're exercising, remember to replenish electrolytes with a sports drink.

Nutritional balance is important as well. If you don't get enough potassium, calcium and magnesium in your diet, you increase your risk of muscle cramps. Eat foods rich in these minerals and consider taking supplements to make sure you're maintaining a healthy balance.