why did my calf muscle cramp up?

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After track practice today, both of my leg muscles(calfs), cramped up.

Is it because I ran cross country for 3 months in the fall and than took 2 weeks off and did absolutely nothing than go straight into winter season and start track?
It's probably because your muscles got used to the time off, and then didn't have time to adjust to the new season. You also might be dehydrated or lacking sodium/potassium. Drink plenty of water, and eat bananas - they have loads of potassium and can help prevent muscle cramps. Also be sure to warm up and stretch to avoid injury.  (+ info)

why do i get muscle cramp during sleep?

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i always experience muscle cramps to my legs during sleep. whats wrong?
Cramps at rest are very common, especially in older adults, but may be experienced at any age, including childhood. Rest cramps often occur during the night. While not life-threatening, night cramps (commonly known as nocturnal cramps) can be painful, disruptive of sleep, and they can recur frequently (that is, many times a night, and/or many nights each week). The actual cause of night cramps is unknown. Sometimes, such cramps are initiated by making a movement that shortens the muscle. An example is pointing the toe down while lying in bed, which shortens the calf muscle, a common site of cramps.  (+ info)

When I woke up this morning my leg muscle felt like it was going to explode. Is this a cramp or a clot?

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It felt like the muscle was uncontrollably contracting as hard as it could. The muscle was pretty huge. I clasped my hands around both sides and squeezed on it to try to control the pain. Through my hands it felt like my heart was beating with the beats originating in my leg.

Anyway, this went away after about 2 minutes. What the hell? I haven't eaten much at all in the past 3 days due to illness, so maybe it's lack of minerals?
Hey Jennifer,
I know how painful they are! I would think that you suffered a "Charlie Horse". What I've found helpful in relieving it is dangling both legs over the bed. With your bad leg, point your toes upward, and SLOWLY make your whole foot point up. It causes your calf muscles to relax. Go up and down, slowly, and it should bring the cramp to an end if about 30 seconds.

Now, to the cause :)

Porphyria or the Charlie Horse refers to any cramp where a leg muscle is locked in the contracted position.

Muscle cramping is a symptom for a number of different problems. Lack of potassium is a big one, so have a banana or two. Another is lack of calcium, so drink some milk or have some other calcium rich food. Another is dehydration, so have a glass of water and stay away from diuretics like coffee or tea. Another is exercise without stretching, so make sure to warm up and stretch properly before and after exercise. Another is your muscles being cold, so try to warm them either with a heating pad or a warming rub (like Icey Hot or Tiger Balm). It could also be tension, and I find that Advil or some other drug to bring swelling down will help this out. It could also be a sign of lack of magnesium or phosphorus, so you should try taking multivitamins regularly.

Having low potassium can cause some major problems, so you should probably go to the doctor as soon as possible to just make sure you have good levels. And good luck with getting rid of your cramps, I have had a few restless nights with foot cramps, and they can really make your waking life difficult!

I don't think it could have been a clot, but here's some info on those too. (I suffered a clot in the leg, and you usually have other symptoms such as those listed below.) Be careful though, and never be afraid to go to a doctor to have it ultrasounded to be safe!

General things to watch for:
Warm feeling in leg
Muscle cramping in leg
Red or swollen area on leg


Good luck to you!
Chris  (+ info)

Is long lasting pain after muscle cramp usual?

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On Saturday night/early Sun. morning (now Tuesday here) I was awakened w/ a severe locking muscle spasm/cramp in my right calf. I tried to flex the leg and walk on it a bit as massaging it. The next day it felt like someone punched me in the leg. It's Tuesday now and my muscle is still very sore, causing me to limp for a few minutes when I first get up from sitting. If I press on it, it is still very tender. Some background on my situation: I am overweight and inactive most days. I am thinking I know the causes, I was @ a bbq, it was hot, I was drinking alcohol, sitting for a long time, and have been having odd sensations in my calf muscles after driving in flip flops anyway. Is this normal or should I be concerned? My worry was a blood clot. If no concern is granted, can anyone tell me when this freakin pain might subside or anything I can do to aid it? Thanks in advance...I am desperate here!
Suzi, I wasn't drinking ALL day, I had a few drinks, I wasn't eating BBQ, I was @ one, I had fish actually, and I am well aware of my health or lack of it. I know the CAUSE of the cramp but was looking for help on the soreness I am still experiencing, thanks however for your lovely candid answer! :-)
It is normal to have pain like this after a cramp. Generally, this is a sign that your muscles need more water in your body.  (+ info)

What causes a muscle to cramp when stretching it?

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There are three basic causes of cramping. One is when you overflex the calf muscle. One is inadequate oxygenation of muscle, where excess lactic acid, produced by anaerobic respiration, builds up and puts stress on the muscle. The other is lack of water or salt.  (+ info)

What causes my left calf muscle to cramp, and how do I prevent it?

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* Overly tight calf muscles increases cramping, stretch them every day, stand 2-3 feet from the wall, hands on the wall and lean forward.
* Plus make sure you are not low on potassium, calcium or magnesium. Food catagories high in these minerals can be found on line. *Drink more water! *Hold & rub calves. Use heat and ice packs. * Use a treadmill-walk fast everyday.  (+ info)

What's the best way to deal with a leg muscle cramp?

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as soon as you get it, COMPLETELY support your leg, relax it totally;; DEAD WEIGHT;; you will eliminate your triggering to your muscles & it goes away just as quick as it comes;; a long breath out helps too, to relax;; you should NOT trigger movement, you should NOT hold your breath, you should NOT flinch from it;; the WORST thing you can do is step on it, you could tear the tendon or the muscle doing this...takes practice...  (+ info)

What exactly happens when you get a muscle cramp?

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The exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown, but many experts think it is related to poor flexibility, muscle fatigue or doing new activity.  (+ info)

How do you prevent and relieve muscle cramp???

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Stretch before and after all exercise. Maybe a little Epsom salt in your bath. A nice massage will definitely help you!!!  (+ info)

Volleyball Player Forearm Muscle tightness/pain/cramp, please help?

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I am a volleyball player. My volleyball season started back up 3 weeks ago, and since then I have been playing every day for several hours a day. About 3 days ago, my right forearm began to hurt, and today it is worse than it has ever been. It is a funny feeling, kind of like writers cramp that spreads all the way to my elbow. It feels more like a bad cramp than a strained or pulled muscle. The pain spreads from my forearm all the way down to my finger tips. My fingers feel kind of stiff and weak, although I have no trouble makeing a fist. Moving my fingers makes the pain slightly worse. I have been playing volleyball for 3 years and this has never happened. Does anyone know what could be wrong with my arm? Please, Please, Please, Please, if you know of any stretches that might help, PLEASE tell me!!! I CANNOT miss volleyball! I have been stretching the muscle by simple bending my wrist back, and it seems to help for a few minutes, and loosens up my fingers.
Ok first a couple of stretches.. Put your hands together in front of you and interlock your fingers(like a little kid praying) now put your palms away from you and stretch your arms out straight, The second is the same starting postion then stretch palms up to the sky above your head(fingers still interlocked). Also you might try alternating heat(not too hot) and ice on the area.  (+ info)