{"id":7770,"date":"2019-07-04T05:32:39","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T05:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7770"},"modified":"2021-05-04T20:29:25","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T20:29:25","slug":"14-unusual-causes-of-muscle-spasm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-unusual-causes-of-muscle-spasm\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Unusual Causes of Muscle Spasm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Muscle spasms are a common symptom that can be associated with a range of different health conditions. If you experience this as a symptom, then you should make an appointment with your doctor to establish the cause, especially because there are so many different health conditions that can cause them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the range of symptoms you experience together with muscle spasms, it can be indicative of a range of different health conditions which might point to things like inadequacies in your diet (for example certain minerals such as salt) or it can point to more serious conditions which need immediate treatment and attention such as muscular degeneration or arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a closer look at some of the potential causes for muscle spasms and their associated symptoms can oftentimes help you to narrow down what could be wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 unusual causes of muscle spasm that it\u2019s important for you to know about and report to your doctor if you experience it as a chronic symptom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Dehydration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>can be one of the most common causes of experiencing muscle spasms, and if you are dehydrated it can start to affect your health the moment it happens \u2013 and it might even lead to much more serious consequences such as an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other signs and symptoms of dehydration can include difficulty swallowing, a dry throat, a high-grade fever, and muscle weakness \u2013 of which muscle spasms will happen due to a lack of vitamins and minerals lost through the process of becoming dehydrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s usually recommended that people should drink eight glasses of water per day in order to stay hydrated, but there are a few different factors which can change this number including the size of the glass, the person\u2019s body weight and which rate they\u2019re dehydrating due to their environment or activity level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drink as much fluid as your body is telling you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Mineral Deficiencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mineral deficiencies are one of the most common causes of experiencing chronic muscle cramps, and the most common minerals that your diet or routine usually needs are ones like salt or magnesium<\/a>. If you experience muscle cramps that go away after the consumption of foods containing either of these, adjust your diet to make sure you\u2019re following a healthier and more well-rounded one.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These mineral deficiencies can easily happen if you are dehydrated as described earlier on, but it can also take place for a variety of other reasons that aren\u2019t related to dehydration or diet. There are some chronic conditions that can cause chronic mineral deficiencies as an associated symptom, and an appointment with your doctor can tell you which is applicable to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mineral deficiencies are usually easy enough to treat when they\u2019ve been officially diagnosed. If you notice that the cramps get any worse, speak to your doctor about adjusting the supplements you take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Strain Positions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any type of position that puts your muscles under strain <\/a>for a long period of time can lead to muscle cramps, and done for too long (or too suddenly) it can even lead to serious muscle injuries such as a sprain or tear. This is common, and it affects thousands of people every year \u2013 thousands more people experience injuries so severe that it puts them in the emergency room and can be a nagging issue for the rest of their lives from there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience pain or discomfort in your back, legs, neck or shoulders while sitting down or standing up, know that your body is experiencing strain and take a break, apply heat or change your position to get the discomfort to go away. Sometimes the use of NSAIDs or anti-inflammatory medication can also help to relieve the condition, and if not, take a look at the type of bed you\u2019re using. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Circulatory Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Problems with circulation <\/a>can also be one of the foremost causes of experiencing muscle spasms, and it can definitely be considered one of the most serious of the different causes just due to the fact that there are many serious health conditions that can cause issues with circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many chronic health conditions can have circulation issues as a result, including high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis are just some of them. Other times it might be due to injury or a trapper’s nerve; stress positions can also cause circulation issues which can later lead to further problems such as blood clots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any circulatory problems that result in pain or discomfort, make an appointment with your doctor in order to establish the cause as soon as possible. Mention your symptoms as thoroughly as possible to make a diagnosis for your doctor easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Diuretics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diuretics <\/a>is another one of the most common causes for experiencing muscle spasms, and there is a wide range of different diuretics that are worth mentioning; most commonly, caffeine and juices containing berry (especially cranberry) are known to act as severe diuretics \u2013 and consuming too much of anything that causes increased urination can lead straight to dehydration, which is exactly what the first entry on this list describes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diuretics and over-consumption of them can cause muscle cramps for the exact same reason that dehydration does: The body loses essential minerals, and this, in turn, causes cramps and increased urination which can lead to further dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect this might be the cause of your muscle cramps, include more electrolytes in your diet until your body has recovered and cut down on anything in your diet that might serve as diuretics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing increased urination and a dry mouth as symptoms even though you aren\u2019t dehydrated right now and you aren\u2019t consuming a more-than-usual amount of diuretics through your diet, then it might be time to get tested for diabetes with a simple blood test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes <\/a>changes the way in which your body can process and produce insulin, sometimes requiring careful changes to your diet and lifestyle as well as the introduction of medication and regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels throughout the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition is easy to manage for anyone who knows they have it and make the necessary adaptations: But it\u2019s a very dangerous and unstable condition to play around with and leave undiagnosed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If sugar (and things that turn into glucose) start to make you feel sleepy or go to the bathroom more, you might have cause for concern. The same is true if you experience a family history of diabetes or related health conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Alcoholism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alcoholism <\/a>affects millions of people across the world every year, and more than just affecting people on an emotional and social level, long-term alcoholism can very often start to affect people in many physical ways at the same time. There is a range of different health conditions associated with alcoholism, and it can include a highly increased stroke and heart attack risk as well as earlier proneness to conditions like dementia.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might also result in health issues such as fatty liver disease, dehydration, and muscle cramps \u2013 and not just when hungover, but instead as a withdrawal symptom of being without alcohol, or being dehydrated after a binge-drinking episode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For alcoholism-related conditions, seek professional help and treat the alcoholism first with the help of a medical professional. Mention any related conditions and symptoms that might have been experienced to the doctor at the same time to ease potential treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exercise <\/a>is vital for anyone who wants to stay in good health for as long as they can, but it can also be pushed way too far and become something that\u2019s far worse for your health and does more harm than it will good.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right kind of exercise routine should match your fitness level and body type, and you should consult an exercise expert to make sure you\u2019re doing it right. If you feel any strain, pain or muscle cramps while you\u2019re exercising, stop \u2013 continuing past this point will only mean that you take a very serious risk of hurting yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you still want to exercise but experience too much muscle strain following your current routine, then switch to lower-impact forms of exercise such as yoga or walking instead for a while until your body has recovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here it becomes vital to combine the right exercise with the right diet: See your doctor if it needs any adjustments from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Smoking
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People that smoke tobacco products, such as cigarettes, may find that they are at high risk of developing muscle spasms. Cigarettes <\/a>contain a toxic cocktail of over 7,000-chemicals that are damaging to your health. Many of these chemicals remain unstudied by medical science, due to the pressure tobacco lobbyists place on the government to avoid studying these compounds.
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However, even though people that smoke may realize that it is terrible for their health, they may have trouble with quitting the habit. Therefore, if you experience muscle spasms frequently, and are a smoker – speak to your doctor about help with stopping.
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Your doctor may advise the use of counseling, along with medications, to prevent your body from going into withdrawal. This strategy makes quitting a lot easier for the smoker and provides them with a support group if they feel that they cannot cope. 
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Smoking places extra stress on the nervous system, which may result in some form of nerve damage or exasperate an existing condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Posture Problems
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People that work in office jobs, and spend the majority of the day in a seated position, may find that they develop muscle spasms. The body is not designed to remain in a seated position, and it places pressure on the hip flexors and the lower back. People that work at a desk may also look downward towards the laptop screen, causing a condition known as forward-head tilt. This condition places pressure on the cervical spine and may end up creating a muscular imbalance in the ligaments and muscles in the neck.
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Fortunately, it’s possible to return your neck, back, and hips to proper posture<\/a>, through the use of stretching and self-awareness. Visit a physiotherapist for advice and instruction on how to stretch correctly.
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Using tools, such as an ergonomic workstation, may also help to improve your posture. An ergonomic chair has adjustments for the arms, hips, and back, allowing you to create a supportive position when working. Using a standing desk may also help to relieve pain and pressure in the hips, reducing the occurrence of muscle spasms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Failure to Stretch before Exercise
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If you are headed to the gym or out onto the road for a bit of exercise<\/a>, then it’s vital that you stretch your body before partaking in the activity. Stretching helps to loosen the muscles by driving additional oxygenated blood into the muscular system. This increase in oxygenated blood keeps the muscles limber, allowing you to exercise without the risk of injuring yourself.
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However, those individuals that choose to exercise without warming up are exposing themselves to muscular damage. Some of the more common problems associated with failing to warm up before exercise include; muscle and ligament tears, as well as muscle spasms.
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If you do sustain an injury or a muscle spasm during training, it’s vital that you stop what you are doing and try and rest. Do not try and train through a muscle spasm, as it will increase pain symptoms. All it takes is five to 15 minutes of stretching before you start exercising to warm yourself up correctly and avoid spasms or tears to the ligaments and muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Muscle Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Some people who experience muscle spasms may find that it occurs due to muscle fatigue. Muscle fatigue occurs due to overexertion during exercise or activities, such as lifting heavy items off of shelving. Active individuals that spent plenty of time in the gym should learn to train within their limits, and avoid overtraining.
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The nervous system<\/a> has a lot to do with the overtraining effect. Those athletes and sportspeople that spend too much time in the gym, and not enough time recovering from the impact of exercise, predispose themselves to incur an injury or a muscle spasm.
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To avoid the effects of overtraining, it’s crucial that you take enough rest days between your training days. This strategy allows the body to recover before the next training session. 
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Sedentary individuals that work in warehouses, and have to lift items from shelves – may not have the muscular capacity or strength to deal with raising a heavy object. As a result, they are more predisposed to tearing a muscle or experiencing a muscle spasm. These individuals should start an exercise program to increase their muscular strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Exercising in Hot Weather
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Athletes that choose to exercise in warm weather should be meticulous and how they approach the situation. Working out in hot conditions can overstress the body, resulting in rapid dehydration. As discussed, dehydration is the number one cause of injury, and athletes, and can diminish athletic performance by up to 60-percent. Dehydration also exposes the muscular system to an imbalance of electrolytes <\/a>and minerals, resulting in a muscle spasm.
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If you intend on training outdoors, ensure that you drink plenty of water throughout your training session. Unless you are training to lose body fat, then it’s a prudent strategy to use sports drinks for your source of hydration. Sports drinks contain additional sugar, electrolytes, and minerals, that help slow the effects of dehydration.
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Those individuals that decide to train in warm weather are not only at high risk of muscle spasms – but they also run the risk of passing out due to overexertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Caffeine
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People who experience muscle spasms should assess their diet and remove all sources of caffeine from their food and drinks. Drinking too much coffee or energy drinks before your workout may result in the onset of muscle spasm. Caffeine <\/a>is a nervous system stimulant. While it may be effective at increasing aggression and competitiveness during training, it also increases the effects of dehydration.
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Take a look around the gym next time you start training, and the chances are you’ll see an energy drink in the hand of many of the people working out. Unfortunately, this strategy may result in the onset of dehydration and a muscle spasm. While you’re working out, the best option is to either drink water or a sports drink, specifically designed to rehydrate you while training.
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Sedentary individuals that drink too much coffee during the day are also prone to developing muscle spasms, with the most common area affected being the calf muscle. Drinking less coffee and more water may help to rectify the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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