symptoms of brain spinal cord and nerve disorders
brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Muscle Cramps
Preventing cramps is the best approach. The following measures can help: Not exercising immediately after eating Gently stretching the muscles before exercising or going to bed Drinking plenty of fluids (particularly sports beverages that containpotassium) after exercise Not consumingcaffeine(for example, in coffee or chocolate) Not smoking Avoiding stimulants, such ascaffeine,nicotine,ephedrine, orpseudoephedrine(a decongestant contained in many products that do not require a prescription but are available only behind the pharmacy counter) Stretching makes muscles and tendons more flexible and less likely to contract involuntarily. The runner's (gastrocnemius) stretch is the best stretch for preventing calf cramps. A person stands with one leg forward and bent at the knee and the other leg behind with the knee straight—a lunge position. The hands can be placed on the wall for balance. Both heels remain on the floor. The knee of the front leg is bent further until a stretch is felt along the back of the other leg. The greater the distance between the two feet and the more the front knee is bent, the greater the stretch. The stretch is held for 30 seconds and repeated 4 or 5 times. Then the set of stretches is repeated on the other side. Stretching helps prevent cramps because it makes muscles less likely to contract involuntarily (without the person's intending it). 