Crampy syndrome - involuntary muscle contractions or painful muscle cramps that may appear suddenly or are provoked by movement. The duration of seizures is from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. This phenomenon is familiar to almost every person. However, in some people, cramps occur regularly. Mostly painful cramps appear in the legs, usually in the calf muscles.
Crumpy: what it is and why it arises
Involuntary muscle contractions appear most often unexpectedly or after physical exertion. They capture the muscle in whole or in part. A spasm appears as a muscle roll, hard to the touch.
In the daytime, the syndrome worries people suffering from local neuroosteofibrosis in the popliteal fossa region with vegetative-irritative manifestations in cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis. At night, cramps occur in patients with clear cerebral disorders. Crumpy's syndrome appears day and night, usually in people with cerebral, local and spinal disorders.
Causes of painful muscle contractions
The factors that trigger the development of spasms are as follows:
- Iatrogenic. In other words, they appear as a result of therapy, after the hemodialysis procedure, treatment with diuretics and taking lithium preparations.
- Metabolic. Convulsions can occur due to cirrhosis, tetany, hypothyroidism, gastrectomy, various electrolyte disorders. Moreover, sudden muscle cramps often disturb women bearing a child, especially at 6-7 months.
- Neurological Such factors occupy a significant place in the appearance of involuntary muscle contractions. Neurological causes include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other pathologies of the anterior horn.
Even sudden muscle contractions arise as a result of a violation of the myotonic type, rigid human syndrome (rare), and hyperactivity of the motor units. Spasms that are caused by systemic damage to the tissues of the lower extremities can also provoke it. For example, with diffuse myositis and Becker dystrophy.
In addition to the listed reasons, the following ailments can lead to the appearance of painful muscle contractions: myalgia syndrome, lameness, exposure to toxic substances on the body (strychnine and insecticides). Specialists sometimes talk about idiopathic convulsions, which are associated with the individual structure of the body, hereditary factors and personal predisposition.
In people who are completely healthy, Crumpy's syndrome can occur due to dehydration, severe intoxication, or excessive exercise. Contribute to the development of painful spasms of the pathology of peripheral muscles, veins, arteries and nerves.
At rest, such attacks occur in the form of an early manifestation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this case, Crumpy syndrome manifests itself in the muscles of the lower jaw, thighs, tongue, neck, back, abdomen and arms. Such painful cramps can still be observed in the presence of such factors:
- Damage to the peripheral nerves in the form of sensory disturbances such as burning, tingling, painful sensitivity or numbness.
- Lack of iron and magnesium.
- Becker myodystrophy. This genetic disease is characterized by damage to the proximal muscles of the lower extremities.
- The use of certain drugs.
- Pain in the lumbar region extending to the legs.
- Hemodialysis and plasmapheresis are procedures aimed at extrarenal cleansing of the blood.
- Intervertebral hernia.
Convulsions quite often occur during pregnancy, as well as with obliterating atherosclerosis of the legs, during which blood circulation is completely or partially disturbed due to blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol plaques.
The main symptoms of the disease
Crampy syndrome is not a disease, most likely it is a phenomenon that manifests itself even in a healthy person. In most cases, the lower limbs suffer from it, especially in the quadriceps of the thigh.
Symptoms and treatment of Crumpy syndrome are aimed at alleviating the patient's condition. During an involuntary spasm, the muscle becomes hard, very sore and tense. Women carrying a baby regularly experience such discomfort at night. To alleviate the condition, massage the sore spot and engage in passive stretching of pinched tissues.
Attacks most often occur in a horizontal position at night, as well as after physical exertion. In such conditions, the tissue is able to rapidly and rapidly contract. The appearance of seizures is caused by the fact that antagonist muscles do not show resistance. To activate their work, you just need to change the position of the body. For example, to get out of bed, relying on a sick limb. Sometimes such attacks occur in the diaphragm or chest. In this case, the development of diseases of the lungs and heart is possible.
How to identify Crumpy syndrome
ICD-10 (international classification of diseases) includes a painful spasm, the diagnosis of which is aimed at detecting the main pathology. The code for ICD-10 is M79.1. An attack can be triggered directly during a medical examination while squeezing the caviar. After the initial examination, the patient can be sent for a blood test to determine the level of hormones and biochemical profile. They also check the electrolyte content.
By the way, some diagnostic techniques, for example, electromyography without seizures, will not give the specialist useful information. When EMG fixes an attack, a neurologist can see important disorders and changes.
How to get rid of painful cramps
Crampy syndrome, the treatment of which is aimed at restoring the work of muscles acting as antagonists of spasm, is not considered a pathology. Such a phenomenon is most likely a feature of the tissues of the human body.
During the appearance of a painful cramp, one should pull the foot up with all the force, while the knee should be bent. Thus, it will be possible to stretch the muscle, gripped by a sudden spasm. With this technique, you can get rid of sharp pain. Some people with Crumpy's syndrome can be helped by pressing the foot on the floor. But the first method is considered more effective.
You can eliminate involuntary muscle contraction by other methods:
- walking on the heels for 2-3 minutes;
- hot foot bath or shower, the duration of warming the affected muscle should be at least 5 minutes;
- walking with high legs;
- massage using ice cubes.
Treatment of neurological causes
Crumpy's syndrome of fasciculations is a sign of a large number of neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. With such an ailment, it is unlikely that it will be possible to stop the attack using the above methods. For treatment, in this case, they use powerful medicines - Diazepam, Baclofen, and other similar drugs. Of course, they can be used only as directed by a neurologist.
Quite often, with complications of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, painful muscle contractions occur. In this case, all the medicines and methods that are commonly used to treat the underlying disease become good.
Drug therapy
When Crampy's syndrome worries regularly, it is recommended to use mineral and vitamin complexes in order to saturate the body with useful substances. But first, you should consult a doctor, informing him of all currently taking medicines. The most popular medicines for painful cramps containing magnesium and calcium are Asparkam and Panangin.
Crampy syndrome causes, symptoms and treatment of which is aimed at eliminating spasm, in some situations requires more serious measures. If a person suffers from a chronic disease, for example, diabetic polyneuropathy, then he needs a comprehensive treatment. In this case, alpha-lipoic acid preparations are prescribed that restore the affected nerves.
Syndrome Prevention
To avoid the appearance of painful cramps, doctors advise you to perform special exercises for muscle stretching. In addition, classes on an exercise bike are an effective measure in the fight against an ailment. As a preventive measure, experts recommend consuming enough water and wrapping your feet in a blanket while you sleep. You should also abandon alcoholic beverages, as well as minimize the use of tea and coffee.
Health effects
Involuntary muscle contractions do not pose a threat to human life, but may be the first symptom of the development of serious diseases associated with the nervous system. If such attacks bother daily for a long time, it is best to consult a neurologist.