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Muscle Spasm Diagnosis

Muscle cramps (spasms) are involuntary, sometimes painful contractions or tightening of the muscles. There are more than 1,700 listed causes, including dehydration, overexertion, kidney failure and reduced levels of magnesium and calcium in the body. Slow stretching often resolves the problem. A pain reliever also may be needed. But if these do not help--as with severe cramps that last longer than usual or keep recurring--the best thing to do is see a doctor.

  1. Types of Muscle Spasms

    • Seizures, twitching, tics, nerve disorders and even heart attacks are types of muscle spasms (yes, the heart is a muscle) that can be caused by numerous underlying disorders. Spasms are usually involuntary and can be brought on by sudden movements, not stretching the muscles during exercise, electrolyte depletion, arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, disc disorders in the back, spinal cord injuries, bad nutrition habits and many other reasons.

    Testing

    • Tests, including blood tests, may be given to find out the cause of muscle cramping. If the blood tests come back negative or don't show a definite cause such as hypothyroid disorder, further testing may include vascular Doppler ultrasound, electromyography (EMG, done by needle insertion) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.

    Treatment

    • Sometimes muscle spasms can actually be felt by simple touch. Symptoms can be relieved by acupuncture, the use of a local anesthetic or saline, a steroid injection, muscle relaxants such as Valium or Flexiril, or by chiropractic electro-stimulation. Cold pads and heating pads may also help.

    Wrong Diagnosis

    • There are other potential underlying causes of muscle spasms. They could be a result of Alzheimer's disease, adrenal cancer, bulimia, chemical poisoning, head injuries or even insect sting allergies, as well as more than 1,000 other reasons. For these reasons, it is important to see a physician if spasms or cramps are out of the ordinary or are not resolved by stretching and/or over-the-counter or prescribed analgesics (pain relievers).

    Preventing Cramps

    • A good way to prevent muscle cramping is to prepare for any kind of physical activity or exertion by doing warm-ups before, stretches before and after, and cool-downs afterward. Drink plenty of water before, during and after any activity, and replace lost electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium). Some recommendations include eating a banana for the potassium, drinking liquid with plenty of electrolytes, such as Gatorade, or even licking plain salt.

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