symptoms of brain spinal cord and nerve disorders
brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Muscle Cramps
If a disorder that can cause muscle cramps is identified, it is treated. If a cramp occurs, stretching the affected muscle often relieves the cramp. For example, for a calf cramp, the person could use a hand to pull the foot and toes upward or could do the runner's stretch. Massage may temporarily relieve some types of cramps. Most of the medications or supplements prescribed to prevent cramps from recurring (including calcium supplements, magnesium carbonate, and benzodiazepines such asdiazepam) have not proved to be effective, and they can have side effects.Quinineis no longer recommended as treatment for muscle cramps because of its side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms, vomiting, vision problems, ringing in the ears, and headaches.Mexiletine(used to treat abnormal heart rhythms) sometimes helps but also has many side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, tremors (rhythmic shaking of a body part), and seizures. 