system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
What happens when a muscle cramps, and what happens if it cramps for too long? Does the muscle get damaged?

If your muscle cramps for an extended period of time is there any damage to the underlying cells? Is there a lack of oxygen?

TIA!
gpt
A muscle cramp is caused by dehydration, muscle strain, or overuse of a muscle, among other factors. When it occurs, a sudden and involuntary contraction of the affected muscle takes place. To answer your main question, most muscle cramps are harmless, and last between 30 seconds to 15 minutes. A muscle cramp will not permanently damage the muscle tissue, but it will cause fatigue as the muscle is constantly contracted during the cramp. If you are experiencing frequent cramps, the suggested course of action to remember is RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, and Elevation.