Muscle Spasm Treatment
A muscle spasm or a muscle cramp is the spontaneous contraction of a muscle which occurs unexpectedly, and usually disappears quickly. This is a very common condition and when it occurs, it can be very painful. Muscle spasms may be caused by a variety of factors such as
- Overuse of muscles
- Dehydration
- Depletion of electrolytes
- Narrowing of arteries (Atherosclerosis)
- Diabetes
- Anemia
- Kidney problems
- Hormonal problems
- Diseases of the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury
When a muscle spasm develops, the affected muscle feels very tight followed by acute pain. Muscle spasms can be easily treated at home although severe cases may require the help of a doctor. The different treatment methods for getting rid of these spasms are discussed below:
Muscles that have been strained or damaged may require medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and narcotics. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, immediately after the pain starts, can protect against severe muscle spasms. These drugs work by reducing the inflammation that is responsible for producing the spasms. Ibuprofen will make it easier for you to stretch your muscles which would otherwise have been very painful and uncomfortable. Another effective method is to apply ice packs to the affected area. This will help to reduce the pain and inflammation. Similar to applying ice packs, applying heat is also an excellent way to reduce the spasms. Heat works by relaxing the muscles and increasing the flow of blood. Heat can be applied using hot water bottles or warm wet pads. Alternate application of heat and cold is also a good way to alleviate the pain.
Since muscle spasms are sometimes caused by dehydration and depletion of electrolytes, it is very important to keep the body well hydrated. Calcium, potassium and magnesium are three minerals that are required for the smooth and proper functioning of the muscles. Therefore, it must be ensured that the body gets these minerals either through the food that we eat or through supplements. However, individuals suffering from conditions like diabetes and heart diseases should first consult their doctor before taking these supplements as otherwise it may lead to adverse effects.
It has been observed that people who are active and exercise regularly are less prone to suffer from muscle spasms. Regular exercise helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles thus exposing them to less strain and spasms. Before planning to do any kind of heavy work, it would be better to start off with a warm up, instead of putting heavy load on the muscles straight away. This will prepare the muscles for the intense work that they are about to do.
Usually muscles spasms should heal within a few days or weeks with proper rest. If the pain is acute and lasts for more than 2 weeks, then the muscles tend to weaken. Since the pain is severe, people take extreme care to avoid using those muscles, as a result of which the muscles weaken further, causing more pain. If the muscle spasms persist for more than 72 hours, it is better to consult a doctor, as it can be a sign of some underlying cause such as diabetes, heart disease, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia etc. Your doctor can diagnose if the spasms are related to any diseases or if they are caused by muscle injury. Depending on the diagnosis, proper treatment methods can be adopted.