Muscle Cramps

dixiechick · 05-27-2008, 01:54 PM

I see a lot of questions about muscle cramps posted. The most common answer is to treat them by adding potassium, but this isn't always the case. First you have to determine what caused them. Just a few things that can cause muscle cramps are injury, vigorous activity or exercise, rest cramps, dehydration, low blood calcium/magnesium, body fluids shifts (low potassium/sodium).

Muscle cramps from an injury occur as your bodies way of saying "hey, I'm hurt"... or kind of a warning sign. It is best to minimize activity until the injured area is stabilized or rested. You may even have to give it time to heal. Muscle fatigue from vigorous activity/exercise causes muscle cramps. It usually happens during an activity or sports that you are not accustom too. You can also get cramps from being in an awkward position for too long. Rest cramps happen most often at night or during long periods of disruptive sleep. It is not know why this happens.

Dehydration also causes muscle cramps. It is more likely to happen during warmer weather. It can be a early sign of heat stroke. This is why it is always recommended to drink lots of water.

This brings me to body fluid shifts... most of the time people will tell you to add potassium for muscle cramps, but it's not always true. Potassium and sodium regulate your body fluids. If one of them gets out of balance, then it will cause muscle cramps. Before you add potassium to your diet, you should determine how much potassium and sodium you are getting. If you have depleted your sodium (say before a bb competition), then the last thing you need is more potassium. However, low potassium levels will also cause muscle cramps.

Other things to check is your calcium and magnesium intake. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium can effect nerve endings and the muscles that they stimulate which can cause muscle cramps. This is most common in pregnant women and older adults.

One other thing you can do to help with muscle cramps is add L-Taurine. Taurine is an amino acid like glutamine. It is found in the heart muscle, white blood cells, central nervous system and skeletal muscle. Taurine can act like creatine in the sense that helps the muscle cells hold more water. It is common for Taurine to be added t creatine, protein powder, or other amino acid products. You may want to check your nutrition guide on those products before you add more to your diet.

There are many other causes for muscle cramps, but these are most common. If anyone wants to add other, please feel free.