The human being is composed of a large number of organs, each of which has its specific function, but they not only work individually but also interact with others in order to perform their function.
In the same way, what happens far away from them can affect them, as well as have local affectations. I want to talk in this publication about Muscle Cramps, those sudden and involuntary contractions that usually occur in certain muscles, having as a major center of presentation the thigh and calves, but may occur in other muscles.
The reasons for their occurrence are multiple, as well as the fact that a specific cause may not be recognized. In order to understand how they occur, it is important to know about the muscle functioning itself, therefore, I will specifically explain this point below, and then go on to explain the main causes, let's begin.
It is important at this point to keep the following in mind:
Muscles, like every other organ in our body, are composed of cells. In the case of muscles, their cells are the myocytes. Each muscle contains up to millions of these cells joined together, and which act in a coordinated manner in response to certain impulses.
These impulses can be nervous, hormonal, neuroendocrine, or by electrolytes (sodium, chlorine and potassium mainly. Also calcium, but mainly in the cardiac muscle).
The electrolytes mentioned above are responsible for the muscle to contract or not, when entering or leaving each of the cells, through a complex process that takes place through the cell membrane. (see following image)
It is necessary to visualize that this occurs in each of the millions of muscle cells, in a coordinated manner. And the blood concentrations of these electrolytes remain in very controlled values, both inside and outside the cell, and it is necessary for this to be so in order for it to remain in balance and function properly.
Having explained the above, I hope it will be much easier to understand the process by which muscle cramps are supposed to be generated. The reasons are varied, I will mention some of them, at least the most recognized as a direct cause:
- Intense muscular exercise. This is why athletes such as marathon runners, cyclists and soccer players are the ones who suffer most from this problem in full activity, since the constant exercise of the muscle is supposed to derive in an overstimulation of this, which in itself causes a response of the nervous system that innervates that area, and cramp occurs.
There is no exact data on the cellular reason for this, so far there are theories that are handled as a possible cause of cramps, however, data say that on average 3 percent of people who perform intense physical activities such as running a marathon end up with at least one cramp at some point in the race.
It is also presumed that the hydroelectrolytic disorder generated by dehydration is the cause of muscle cramps. As I explained in previous images, considering the importance of electrolytes in the functioning of muscles, when we undergo intense exercise sweating is inevitable, and when we sweat we not only lose water, but electrolytes.
That is why sweat is salty, because we lose Sodium and Chlorine (components of salt), in addition to calcium, magnesium, and a lot of water, which also part of it evaporates by our body heat. It is logical to think that when this happens our entire Internal environment goes into imbalance, which can produce not only a reaction of the muscle cells themselves but also a discharge of neurotransmitters that trigger muscle cramp.
This is why it is important to hydrate when exercising, and it is not only a matter of drinking water but also of restoring lost electrolytes.
These are theories, to date there is no certainty or certainty that any of total and absolute answer to how and why muscle cramps are triggered.
I know that it is also very common that in some cases people while sleeping have muscle cramps, which makes them wake up with a terrible pain in the affected area, which has no relation to physical exercise, logically, since it is in a state of rest. That is why there are other explanations for this event, since in medicine there are no concrete and unique answers, much less when there are so many possibility and in addition to moments in which a condition is expressed.
- Local circulatory problem. This would produce the decrease of local blood flow with the consequent affectation in the balance of intra and extracellular electrolytes, bringing indisputably the possibility of cramps, even at rest.
- Some nervous lesion can provoke them. Let us remember that nerves reach all muscles, and for example if a nerve is compressed for some reason it could provoke an excitation of this one, release neurotransmitters and cause a cramp in the muscle that innervates.
- Pregnancy. It is a normal condition for pregnant women to have certain hormonal uncontrolled, these often affect their internal environment, and cause cramps.
- Some medications can also cause cramps, for example diuretics, increase diuresis (urine production) and this in turn cause an imbalance of electrolytes.
However, despite how painful it is, I must say that it is not a life-threatening condition, since it is actually a process that usually lasts a few seconds, at most a minute, rarely longer.
The solution, usually by stretching the affected muscle is enough for this cramp to stop. We must also keep in mind that we must maintain adequate hydration and that if we are taking any medication we have to know what are the possible adverse reactions, as we could prevent it by asking our doctor to regulate the dose or change the medication.
As always, thank you for your support in advance, and I hope that everyone can learn from this type of publications that I share.
Links consulted
Muscle Cramping During Exercise: Causes, Solutions, and Questions Remaining
The Pathophysiology and Care of Exercise Related Muscle Cramps
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