(cramp) A sharp pain that occurs when a muscle suddenly contracts (tightens up). Cramps commonly occur in the abdomen and legs.

A sustained and usually painful contraction of muscle fibers. This may occur as an isolated phenomenon or as a manifestation of an underlying disease process (e.g., UREMIA; HYPOTHYROIDISM; MOTOR NEURON DISEASE; etc.). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1398)

A sustained, sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.

Sustained and usually painful contraction of muscle fibers.

Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more of your muscles. They are very common and often occur after exercise. Some people get muscle cramps, especially leg cramps, at night. They can be painful, and they may last a few seconds to several minutes. You can have a cramp in any muscle, but they happen most often in the: Thighs; Feet; Hands; Arms; Abdomen; Area along your ribcage. Causes of muscle cramps include: Straining or overusing a muscle. This is the most common cause.; Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back; Dehydration; Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, or calcium; Not enough blood getting to your muscles; Pregnancy; Certain medicines; Getting dialysis. Sometimes the cause of muscle cramps is unknown. Anyone can get muscle cramps, but they are more common in some people: Older adults; People who are overweight; Athletes; Pregnant women; People with certain medical conditions, such as thyroid and nerve disorders. Muscle cramps are usually harmless, and they go away after a few minutes. But you should contact your health care provider if the cramps: Are severe; Happen frequently; Don't get better with stretching and drinking enough fluids; Last a long time; Are accompanied by swelling, redness, or a feeling of warmth; Are accompanied by muscle weakness. You usually don't need treatment for muscle cramps. You may be able to find some relief from cramps by: Stretching or gently massaging the muscle; Applying heat when the muscle is tight and ice when the muscle is sore; Getting more fluids if you are dehydrated. If another medical problem is causing the cramps, treating that problem will likely help. There are medicines that providers sometimes prescribe to prevent cramps, but they are not always effective and may cause side effects. Talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of medicines. To prevent muscle cramps, you can: Stretch your muscles, especially before exercising. If you often get leg cramps at night, stretch your leg muscles before bed.; Drink plenty of liquids. If you do intense exercise or exercise in the heat, sports drinks can help you replace electrolytes.

(muscle cramping) Sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.

A disorder characterized by marked cramping sensation originating from a muscle or group of muscles.

A muscle cramp (charley horse) is a sudden, brief, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. Cramps commonly occur in healthy people (usually middle-aged and older people), sometimes during rest, but particularly during or after exercise or at night (including during sleep). Leg cramps at night usually occur in...

A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. If you've ever been awakened in the night or stopped in your tracks by a sudden charley horse, you know that muscle cramps can cause severe pain. Though generally harmless, muscle cramps can make it temporarily impossible to use the affected muscle.

A muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary, painful muscle contraction or spasm, associated with an increase in frequency of motor action potentials. Idiopathic (ordinary) muscle cramps are common. About 80% of episodes involve the gastrocnemius, with a mean duration per episode of 8 to 9 minutes in adults and 2 minutes in children. The...

Cramp, painful, involuntary, and sustained contraction of muscle, most common in the limbs but also affecting certain internal organs. Examples of cramping include menstrual cramps and spasms of the circular muscles of the bowel (irritable colon), blood vessels (vasospasm), and pylorus of the...