Claúdio Ferreira Nurse Coordinator LUZ 24 Cramps are rapid, involuntary contractions of one or more muscles. They happen in skeletal muscle, which is the type of muscle tissue in the muscles responsible for our posture and movements; Cramps may occur in any muscle, but are much more common in the legs - especially the thighs and 'leg belly' - feet and hands; They happen suddenly, are sporadic, last no longer than 10 minutes, generally resolve even in much less time, sometimes a few seconds; Cause pain, which can be quite severe and uncomfortable; The affected muscle is tense (hard) and sometimes more prominent; In the case of fingers, there may be stiffness and/or a position different from the usual one; In most cases, cramps are not associated with any serious health problem. What are the causes of cramps Generally, in a cramp, the muscles cannot relax properly . Cramps are most common: After vigorous exercise or exercise for a long time, especially in high temperature environments; When someone is in the same position for a long time. There are also other factors that increase the likelihood of cramps, for example: Older age; Pregnancy; Mineral imbalances, sometimes due to a diet deficit; Dehydration. What to do when there is a cramp When a cramp occurs, it is not possible to voluntarily relax the muscle. So, what has to be done is to help the contraction to end , to relieve the pain and for the muscle or region to regain its functionality. If the cramp occurs while moving, stop ; Make firm massages with circular movements in the muscle / affected region; Adopt positions that stretch the affected muscles in an attempt to relax them. For example, in a 'leg belly' cramp, sit with your leg straight and pull your feet back with your hands; Apply heat to the affected region. The temperature increase favors muscle relaxation. Preventing cramps Some measures can help preventing cramps: Do warm-up exercises at the beginning and stretching exercises at the end of exercise sessions; Do not stay in the same position for a long time, whether working or doing leisure activities. Take breaks periodically, walk a little, and stretch your muscles; Increase fluid intake during intense physical exercise sessions and after finishing it; Always maintain an adequate hydration. Fluid requirements are not the same for all people, they vary with age, sex, level of physical activity, temperature and humidity, food intake, among others; Eat a balanced diet. When to seek medical attention More rarely, cramps can be associated with other illnesses or some medications. Medical care should be sought when cramps : Are very frequent; Cause severe pain and discomfort; Do not improve with the self-care mentioned; Are associated with muscle weakness, swelling, redness or visible changes in the skin; Do not have an obvious cause, such as vigorous exercise or being in the same position for a long time. If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
