Biology Presentation on Muscle Cramp

8/12/2019 Biology Presentation on Muscle Cramp

1/13

Muscle Cramp


2/13

What is Muscle cramp?

An involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that

does not relax

A muscle that involuntarily contracts is in a "spasm"

If the spasm is forceful and sustained, it becomes a

cramp

Muscle cramps cause a visible or palpable hardening

of the involved muscle


3/13

Cramps especially the legs and feet, and most

particularly the calf, are very common


4/13

The types and causes of muscle cramps

4 major

types:

True

cramps

Tetany

contractures

Dystoni

ccramps


5/13


6/13

muscle fatigue from sitting or lying for an extended

period in an awkward position can cause cramps


7/13

Rest cramps (Nocturnal

cramp)

often occur during the night

night cramps can be painful, disruptive of sleep,

and can recur frequently

such cramps are initiated by making a movement

that shortens the muscle

Example: pointing the toe down while lying in bed,

which shortens the calf muscle


8/13

Low blood calcium,

magnesium

Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium

increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and

the muscles they stimulate

Commonly noted during pregnancy

Low potassium

although it is more common for low potassium to beassociated with muscle weakness


9/13

What is the treatment of skeletal muscle

cramps?

For many cramps of the feet and legs, stretching can

often be accomplished by standing up and walking

around


10/13

For calf muscle

cramp The person can stand 1 foot from

the wall

The feet should be few inches

apart

With arm slightly bent, placeboth palms against the wall

Slowly raise the toes of both feet

as high as is comfortable

Hold for several second, Then

lower the toes to the floor

Repeat 10 times


11/13

How can muscle cramps be prevented

Rest

cramps Can often be prevented by regular stretching

exercises, particularly if done before going to bed

Another important aspect of prevention of night

cramps is adequate calcium and magnesium

Calcium intake of at least 1 or 1.5 gram daily isreasonable

Supplemental magnesium may be very beneficial for

some


12/13

However, added magnesium can be very hazardous

for people who have difficulty eliminating magnesium,

as happens with kidney insufficiency

Magnesium is present in many foods such as:

greens, grains, meat and fish, bananas,

apricots, nuts, and soybeans


13/13

but a supplemental dose of 50-100 milligrams

of magnesium daily may be appropriate

Biology Presentation on Muscle Cramp

Documents

Transcript of Biology Presentation on Muscle Cramp