Although muscle spasms are generally not dangerous, they may be disruptive to your everyday life. The pain from muscle spasms may be severe enough to curtail your day to day activities. Treatment of muscle spasms will depend on what is causing them, and also the location of the muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are very common, and may be related to a number of medical conditions. If muscle spasms are caused by disease, the disease must be treated effectively so that the muscle spasms will be alleviated or reduced.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Anti-inflammatory medication may be a very effective muscle spasm treatment. Not only will this medication help to alleviate inflammation, it will also reduce pain. Anti-inflammatory medication is especially effective when an injury is present. Twisting and turning injuries that cause muscle spasms in the back usually respond well to these medication. Anti-inflammatory medications can be obtained over the counter, or your physician may prescribe one if a stronger dosage is needed.
Prescription Muscle Relaxants
Occasionally, muscle spasms in the neck or back may be so severe, that your physician may recommend the use of prescription muscle relaxant medications. These medications are extremely useful in decreasing pain and reducing the incidence of muscle spasms. Although effective, these medications may produce side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and confusion. Individuals who take muscle relaxants, should never drive, because their judgment ability may be impaired.
Heating Pad
Heating pads for muscle spasms treatment may quickly alleviate or diminish your muscle spasms. Not only will the heat sooth the muscles, it may also relax them and stop the spasms. It is important to note that if you are using a heating pad for muscle spasms treatment, never go to sleep with it on. Only use the heating pad on the medium setting, and never put it directly on your skin because you may experience a burn.
See Your Doctor
Although rare, muscle spasms may be caused by an underlying disease such as Multiple Sclerosis. Your doctor may need to rule out underlying disease before he can recommend treatment for your muscle spasms. He may recommend blood tests to determine if you are deficient in potassium. A potassium deficiency frequently causes muscle spasms. If you are found to be potassium deficient, your doctor may suggest a dietary increase in potassium such as eating more bananas or oranges. If you have a more extensive potassium deficiency that is causing your muscle spasms, your doctor may recommend potassium supplementation or even prescription potassium medications.
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Learn what causes muscle spasms and get advice on treating and preventing leg muscle spasms and muscle spasms in the back. |
