Discover the six unusual symptoms of dehydration that you shouldn’t ignore. Learn effective tips to stay hydrated and combat the risks of fluid loss. From bad breath to muscle cramps, this article provides a detailed look at the lesser-known signs of dehydration.

Decoding the Subtle Cues of Dehydration

Water is essential for human survival, and the body’s delicate balance can be disrupted by various factors, including sweating, urination, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dehydration doesn’t just mean the loss of water; it also signifies the depletion of crucial electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which are vital for the body’s proper functioning.

Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, can increase the risk of dehydration, and certain demographics, including athletes, the elderly, and the very young, may be particularly vulnerable. Untreated dehydration can lead to severe complications, including seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, and even hypovolemic shock, a life-threatening condition caused by a significant drop in blood volume.

Surprising Signs of Dehydration to Watch Out For

While the classic signs of dehydration, like thirst, headache, and dry mouth, are well-known, there are several lesser-known symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore. Here are six surprising signs of dehydration:

1. Bad Breath

Saliva has antibacterial properties, and when dehydration reduces saliva production, it can lead to bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, resulting in unpleasant breath. This is similar to the phenomenon of “morning breath,” which occurs when saliva production slows down during sleep.

2. Dry or Flushed Skin

Contrary to popular belief, dehydration can cause dry, flushed skin, rather than excessive sweating. As the body becomes dehydrated, it loses its ability to regulate temperature effectively, leading to this skin-related symptom.

3. Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps can be a telltale sign of dehydration, particularly during exercise in hot weather. As the body loses fluids and electrolytes, the muscles become unable to cool down effectively, leading to painful cramping.

Staying Hydrated: Effective Tips and Strategies

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for overall health and well-being. Here are some effective tips to help you stay hydrated:

Drink Water Throughout the Day

Aim to drink water consistently throughout the day, rather than relying on thirst as a cue. Carry a water bottle with you and make a conscious effort to sip water regularly.Choose Electrolyte-Rich Drinks

When rehydrating, opt for drinks that are not only high in water content but also rich in electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Sports drinks or coconut water can be excellent choices to replenish lost electrolytes.

Monitor Your Urine Color

A simple way to gauge your hydration level is to check the color of your urine. Pale yellow or clear urine is a good sign of proper hydration, while darker yellow or amber-colored urine may indicate dehydration.

Preventing and Treating Dehydration

Dehydration can be a serious condition, but with proper prevention and treatment, it can be effectively managed. It’s important to stay vigilant for the signs of dehydration, especially in high-risk individuals, and to take immediate action to replenish fluids and electrolytes.

Seek Medical Attention for Severe Dehydration

If you experience severe symptoms of dehydration, such as severe headache, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or confusion, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Untreated dehydration can lead to life-threatening complications, and prompt medical intervention may be necessary.

Conclusion

Dehydration is a common and potentially dangerous condition that can manifest in various ways. By understanding the subtle signs of dehydration, such as bad breath, dry skin, and muscle cramps, you can take proactive steps to maintain proper hydration and avoid the risks associated with fluid loss. Remember to stay vigilant, drink water consistently, and seek medical help if you experience severe symptoms. By prioritizing hydration, you can ensure your body functions at its best and prevent the harmful effects of dehydration.

6 Unusual Symptoms of Dehydration and Tips to Stay Hydrated

Every living creature needs water to survive. And sweating, peeing, vomiting, and diarrhea all militate against optimal fluid levels, says MedlinePlus, even to the point of threatening survival.

The feeling of thirst is the result of a complex physiological process, research shows, intended as a warning that you’re dehydrated, and in danger of not functioning properly.

According to MedlinePlus, dehydration doesn’t just mean your body is losing water — it also means you’re losing electrolytes, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which you need to breathe, move, talk, and generally stay up and running.

As MedlinePlus points out, certain health conditions, including diabetes, can put you at an increased risk of dehydration. If you’ve been sweating too much because of the heat or overexertion, urinating frequently, or throwing up or having diarrhea because of the flu or another acute illness, it’s especially important to pay attention to replenishing your water reserves.

People who are especially vulnerable to dehydration include those who are unable to quench their thirst because of disability or disease, athletes, and those who are simply too young or too old to replace lost fluids on their own, according to NHS Inform. Men who are middle-aged or elderly may be at particular risk of complications from dehydration, according to a small study published in the Journal of Physiology in November 2020. (The study did not involve women.) The researchers found that over time, the body becomes worse at detecting markers of dehydration (such as high levels of salt in the blood), and without these signals, older adults may not realize they are dehydrated or drink fluids to rehydrate. Untreated dehydration can cause the heart rate to increase, straining your ticker.

6 Unusual Signs of Dehydration You Should Know About

Tips For Staying Hydrated

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Extreme dehydration — defined by the World Health Organization as a loss of more than 10 percent of your body weight in fluid — can lead to injury or fatal complications, and it requires an ER visit. Seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, or hypovolemic shock can occur because your blood volume is too low.

Yet it rarely comes to that. Most of the time, you can easily replenish your fluid stores and fend off dehydration when you drink water throughout the day. Thirst, headache, and dry mouth are all signs it’s time to reach for water or a sports drink that’s low in sugar and high in electrolytes, says MedlinePlus.

But the signs of dehydration aren’t always so obvious. Here are six surprising signs and symptoms of dehydration.

1. Bad Breath Is a Possible Warning Sign of Dehydration

Saliva has antibacterial properties, but dehydration can prevent your body from making enough saliva, per the Better Health Channel.

“If you’re not producing enough saliva, you can get bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, and one of the side effects of that is bad breath,” says John Higgins, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas in Houston and the chief of cardiology at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital.

It’s the same reason you may wake up with “morning breath”: Saliva production slows down during sleep, notes the Mayo Clinic, leading to an unpleasant taste in the mouth as bacteria grow. So the next time you experience dry mouth and your breath smells less than fresh, it may be time to rehydrate.

2. Dry or Flushed Skin Could Be a Symptom of Dehydration

“A lot of people think that people who get dehydrated are really sweaty, but in fact, as you go through various stages of dehydration, you get very dry skin,” Dr. Higgins says, adding that skin may appear flushed as well.

Another key skin-related symptom of dehydration is a loss of skin elasticity, according to MedlinePlus. This can cause skin to remain “tented” after being pinched, taking some time to return to its normal appearance (more on that below).

3. Muscle Cramps Are a Dehydration Symptom, Likely From Heat Illness

When your body loses enough fluid, it’s unable to cool off adequately, leading to heat illness, notes OrthoInfo. One symptom to watch for is muscle cramps, which can happen during exercise, particularly in hot weather.

“The hotter you get, the more likely you are to get muscle cramps, and that’s from a pure heat effect on the muscles. As the muscles work harder and harder, they can seize up from the heat itself. Changes in the electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, can lead to muscle cramping as well,” says Higgins.

Bear in mind that when it comes to rehydration after exercise, all drinks may not be created equal. A study published in March 2019 in BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine found that when participants rehydrated with a drink containing electrolytes after exercise, they were less likely to develop muscle cramps. Participants who drank plain water, on the other hand, were more likely to have cramps. The study was small, so its findings may not apply to you, but the next time you feel a muscle cramp coming on after exercise, opt for an electrolyte-filled sports drink.

Even in cooler weather, dehydration is possible if you don’t replace lost fluids by drinking small amounts of water while working out. Higgins says symptoms may be milder or come on slower, but dehydration carries the same risks, regardless of the temperature outside.

4. Fever and Chills Are Symptoms of Heat Illness, Which Causes Dehydration

Other symptoms of heat illness include fever and chills. Excessive sweating combined with your skin feeling cool to the touch may be signs of heat exhaustion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fever can worsen dehydration. The higher the fever, the more severely dehydrated you may become. Unless your body temperature decreases, your skin will lose its cool clamminess and then become hot, flushed, and dry to the touch. At this point, it’s important that you cool yourself down immediately and see a medical professional, the CDC advises. Applying ice and cool, wet cloths, and moving to a cool area are short-term strategies until you can get medical attention.

According to the Mayo Clinic, children and infants lose more of their body fluid to fever, and they are more likely to experience severe diarrhea and vomiting from illness. An infant or young child may also have other dehydration-related symptoms, such as a soft spot on their head, no tears when they cry, or fewer wet diapers than normal. Any fever in an infant or toddler is cause for concern. Ask your pediatrician for advice on when to call the doctor in these circumstances.

The CDC urges adults with fever to seek help if their temperature reaches 103 degrees F. This could be a medical emergency.

5. Food Cravings, Especially for Sweets, May Just Mean You’re Thirsty

“When you’re dehydrated, it can be difficult for organs such as the liver, which uses water, to release glycogen [stored glucose] and other components of your energy stores, so you can actually get cravings for food,” Higgins says.

While you can crave anything from chocolate to a salty snack, cravings for sweets are more common because your body may be experiencing difficulty breaking down glycogen to release glucose into the bloodstream to use as fuel, he says.

6. Headaches Could Be a Sign You Need to Drink More Water

As MedlinePlus points out, even mild dehydration can cause a headache. Although various factors besides dehydration can cause headaches, drinking a full glass of water and continuing to sip more fluids during the day is an easy way to ease your pain if, in fact, dehydration is the culprit.

Are You Dehydrated, or Is It Something Else?

If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. But lack of thirst doesn’t necessarily mean you’re well hydrated. Here are two other ways to check your hydration.

Try this skin test. Use two fingers to pinch up some skin on the back of your hand, and then let go. The skin should spring back to its normal position in less than a couple of seconds. Higgins says that if the skin returns to normal more slowly, you might be dehydrated, per MedlinePlus.

Check your urine. If you’re well hydrated, your urine will be mostly clear with a tinge of yellow (the color of light lemonade before it hits the bowl). Darker yellow or orange are the “warning” colors to watch for, per UC San Diego Health. If your pee is dark, start drinking fluids. (On the flip side, clear or transparent urine could mean you’re getting too much water.)

Tips for Staying Hydrated

When it comes to daily water intake, hard-and-fast rules are difficult to apply because the amount of fluid you need depends on so many factors, including your age, gender, whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and whether you have any underlying medical conditions or chronic illnesses.

The 2004 guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — the most recent available — advise 2.7 liters of water per day for women and 3.7 liters per day for men. You can reach this amount by consuming certain foods, water, and other fluids.

Here are some tips for getting all the liquid you need and prevent dehydration.

Keep Your Water Bottle Handy at All Times

Accessibility can make a difference. This can be as simple as carrying a water bottle with you. “If it’s right next to you, you’ll likely get into the habit of sipping it without even realizing it,” says Johannah Sakimura, RD, an outpatient oncology dietitian at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey.

Try Spicing Up Plain Water

While it’s important to drink plenty of water, not everyone enjoys it straight. “If you don’t love plain water, jazz it up by adding a splash of fruit juice or chunks of fresh or frozen fruit,” says Sakimura. “Or try naturally flavored calorie-free seltzers — their fizz and fruit flavor make them more appealing than plain flat water.”

Turn to Sugar-Free Herbal Tea or Coffee

Sakimura recommends unsweetened teas, which are available in lots of different flavors. “Sip fruity iced teas during the day (with lots of ice if it’s hot out), or cozy up with a mug of hot peppermint or chamomile tea at night — they all count toward your daily fluid goal.”

And if your beverage of choice is coffee rather than tea, that works, too: While caffeine may have a diuretic affect, increasing your need to urinate, one crossover study of 50 men found that there were no significant differences in total hydration when the men drank four cups of coffee daily compared with four cups of water. The results of the study, which were published in the journal PLoS One, suggest that coffee hydrates similarly to water when consumed in moderation by regular coffee drinkers.

While this particular study exclusively focused on men who drank coffee, the Mayo Clinic notes that caffeinated beverages can still help all adults achieve their daily hydration goals — just be sure to consume no more than 400 milligrams (mg) per day. Symptoms such as upset stomach, frequent urination, and insomnia could mean you’re drinking too much coffee.

Swap Your Packaged Snacks for Fresh Options

“Swap dry snacks, like chips, pretzels, and crackers — which have a very low water content — with refreshing munchies, like fresh or frozen fruit, yogurt, healthy smoothies, celery with peanut butter, and cut veggies with hummus,” recommends Sakimura.

Pile on the Produce

In the same vein, know that those veggies and fruits are hydrating, just like liquids. “Aim to make half your plate produce at meals. All those vegetable and fruit servings will supply water as well as a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber,” says Sakimura. “In fact, some fruits and vegetables are more than 90 percent water — including cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon (of course), cucumber, celery, lettuce and leafy greens, zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers.”

Sip More Fluid During Meals

“Sipping water with meals will help you eat more slowly, pace your eating, and, of course, stay hydrated,” Sakimura says. Drinking water before eating may furthermore help with weight loss, as it did for participants of a study published in the journal Obesity. During a small randomized controlled trial involving 84 subjects, participants who drank 500 milliliters (ml) of water 30 minutes before eating lost an average of 1.3 kilograms (kg) at the 12-week follow-up.

A Final Note on the Importance of Preventing Dehydration for Older Adults

Older adults may be at a greater risk of dehydration for a number of reasons, per the National Council on Aging (NCOA). For one, you may experience a decreased sense of thirst as you age, which can in turn diminish your daily water intake. Some older adults become chronically dehydrated if they take certain medications, such as diuretics, are not able to get themselves a glass of water easily, or forget to drink because of a health issue such as dementia. Chronic dehydration in an older adult may lead to confusion, low blood pressure, dizziness, and constipation.

If you have an elderly relative with mobility limitations or cognitive problems, be sure to watch them for signs of dehydration, or ask their caregivers to do so too, and make sure that they drink enough water. As for your own well-being, remember that the human body is composed of at least 60 percent water, notes the U.S. Geological Society. Keep that healthy balance, and drink up!

Additional reporting by Sheryl Huggins Salomon, Laura McArdle, and Kristeen Cherney.

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How to Rehydrate and Avoid Dehydration Cramps

If you’ve ever had cramps in your leg muscles or stomach, you know how debilitating the pain can be. From a searing charley horse to stomach pain, cramps can be uncomfortable and disrupt your ability to carry out daily tasks. What you may not know is that dehydration cramps are often the culprit.

We’ll walk you through how dehydration can cause cramps and how to rehydrate to avoid these painful and pesky side effects.

Understanding how to identify risk factors and mild dehydration symptoms is essential — and learning how to combat these impacts as simply drinking water does not solve the issue.

Electrolytes play a major role in rehydrating your body and your muscles, which is why adding an electrolyte drink mix to your water can help you recover more quickly.

Does Dehydration Cause Cramps?

Dehydration is a medical issue caused by your body losing more fluids and electrolytes than it takes in. It can range from cases with mild dehydration symptoms like extreme thirst to severe cases that can be life-threatening.

Losing more fluids and electrolytes than you’re absorbing makes it difficult for your body to function properly. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, decreased urination, extreme thirst, dizziness — and, of course, cramps. In fact, two of the most common signs of dehydration include muscle cramping and stomach cramps.

Here’s why: Your body reacts to dehydration by storing water for the most vital organs, including your heart and lungs. That means less vital organs — like your muscles and digestive system — don’t receive the water and electrolytes required to properly function.

Without these essential fluids, your muscles can start to cramp. You may particularly experience leg cramps in your calf and thigh muscles. You may also experience involuntary contractions like muscle spasms. Dehydration also decreases blood volume, which can also cause cramping as there is less blood flow to organs and muscles.

These combined factors can lead to cramping elsewhere in the body, often in the stomach, because your digestive system uses fluids and electrolytes to store nutrients and create waste. When dehydration sets in, constipation can occur since your body doesn’t have enough water to create stool. This can lead to stomach cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain.

If you’re wondering how to rehydrate and get rid of these symptoms, you’ll need more than just increase water intake. When you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have the right balance of electrolytes.

Dehydration can cause mineral depletion, including decreases in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These electrolytes play a key role in muscle function. When you suffer from an electrolyte imbalance, dehydration sets in and your leg muscles can cramp. To help recover from mild dehydration symptoms like cramping, adding an electrolyte drink mix to water can help speed up this recovery.

How to Recognize Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when you don’t get enough water and electrolytes. It’s sometimes caused by medical conditions that affect the kidneys and thyroid. It can also be exacerbated by certain medications.

The most common causes of dehydration include not drinking enough fluids, excessive sweating, and heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. This is why it’s important to drink water and replenish electrolytes while exercising and avoid working out outside if the temperature is too high.

When you sweat, you secrete water and salt to the surface of your skin. There, it evaporates to create a cooling effect. If you don’t replace these lost fluids and electrolytes fast, you may become dehydrated. It’s vital to manage hydration throughout the day, especially when you engage in physical activity in cold or hot weather that raises your body temperature.

You can also get dehydration when you’re sick or have gastroenteritis. Dehydration risk is elevated if you’re vomiting, have severe diarrhea, or a high fever.

While anyone can become dehydrated, older people and young children experience dehydration at higher rates.

Older adults with ailments like Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders may have a higher risk of dehydration cramps. People who take diuretics like medications for high blood pressure are at increased risk of dehydration. That’s because diuretics can change the concentration of electrolytes like sodium and potassium. That also means an increased risk of dehydration cramps.

Here are some signs of dehydration to watch out for:

• Dry mouth or dry skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Decreased urination or difficulty peeing
• Constipation
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Fatigue and muscle weakness

To fend off and manage dehydration cramps, you need to address your hydration levels. If you have signs of severe dehydration like sunken eyes, fainting, or confusion, seek medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional immediately.

How to Manage Dehydration Cramps

Dehydration cramps can be uncomfortable, and they can reduce performance and increase the risk of injury, whether you’re working out or hard at work on a job site. By staying hydrated, you can manage dehydration and avoid muscle cramps and stomach cramps.

Dehydration is a leading cause of muscle cramps. Thus, the best way to avoid dehydration cramps is to avoid dehydration in the first place. If you think dehydration is causing your muscle or stomach cramps, you can remedy the situation by addressing the dehydration directly.

Fight Dehydration Cramps with DripDrop

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DripDrop’s electrolyte mix will help your body restore the balance of sodium and glucose to help absorption. With the precisely balanced ratio in DripDrop’s patented formula, you can replenish vital electrolytes and fluids to relieve dehydration quickly.

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Muscle spasms – methods of treatment, diagnosis and causes of spasms

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Muscle spasm is a sudden painful contraction of a muscle. Occurs involuntarily, sometimes during sleep or rest. Occurs in healthy young people. Most often occurs with overwork and high physical exertion, metabolic disorders.

Causes of spasms

Many conditions can cause spasms:

• taking or abruptly stopping certain medications;
• hormonal dysfunction;
• vitamin or mineral deficiency;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• dehydration;
• excessive exercise;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Symptoms of muscle spasm

Muscle spasm can be reasonably suspected if pain is felt:

• severe, pressure-aching character;
• increasing, with pressure on the site of maximum pain;
• not subsiding at rest;
• abruptly arising, and then passing.

Classification of muscle spasms

The following types of muscle spasms are divided:

Name	Cause	Description
Clonic	Excitation of the cerebral cortex	Synchronous non-rhythmic contractions accompanied by soreness. Loss or clouding of consciousness, disorientation. The beginning and end of the spasm is sudden
Myoclonic	Reaction of the nervous system to physical or nervous overwork	Short-term attacks at night or during physical overwork. Accompanied by muscle numbness, ocular tic, tachycardia, profuse sweating
Tonic	Overexcitation of the basal regions of the brain	Intense convulsions that appear gradually. May occur during rest periods on upper or lower extremities, face, airways

All types of muscle spasms are divided into:

• generalized – involving a large part of the body and many internal organs;
• local – emerging place, in separate areas.

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Warning symptoms that require a doctor’s visit

In most cases, spasms go away on their own, in a matter of minutes. They can be painful, but do not pose a threat to human health and life. You should consult a doctor if the ailment recurs repeatedly and is accompanied by:

• severe weakness;
• loss of sensation in the area affected by spasm;
• long-lasting muscle twitching after an attack;
• vomiting, diarrhoea, profuse sweating resulting in significant fluid loss in the body;
• increased soreness of each subsequent attack.

First aid for spasms at home

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1. Exclude physical activity, create rest for the painful limb or part of the body.
2. For 10-15 minutes, apply an ice compress to a muscle spasming from exercise, and dry heat to a cramped muscle for an unclear reason.
3. Perform a light self-massage of the painful area, increasing blood flow.
4. Drink plenty of mineral water or water with salt.
5. Gently stretch the muscle, taking into account the area of ​​the body, except in cases with severe pain.

Muscle spasms rarely last more than 15 minutes. However, the residual discomfort can be quite long and unpleasant. Even having eliminated the spasm on your own, do not put off a visit to an experienced specialist for a long time.

Diagnosis of emerging problems

The causes of muscle spasm can be quite obvious problems: high physical activity during sports training, non-physiological static posture, anything else. After removing the pain manifestation, you can prophylactically visit a specialist doctor.

Spasms of the head, neck, abdomen and others that occur suddenly, without obvious external causes of discomfort, require a mandatory visit to a doctor. Such muscle spasms can be symptoms of serious diseases that require immediate treatment. It is recommended to pay a visit to a neurologist or orthopedist. After conducting an examination, questioning and additional studies, the specialist will make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Stages of diagnosis:

• questioning the patient about symptoms: the time of onset of spasms, their duration, frequency, localization, possible provoking factors, additional symptoms, general information about past, chronic diseases, lifestyle, heredity;
• medical examination aimed at neurological examination of the state of muscles and reflexes, examination of the skin;
• additional examination: various types of clinical blood tests, including the level of sugar and electrolytes, electromyography – assessment of the functional state of skeletal muscles and peripheral nerve fibers, MRI of the brain or spinal cord, other studies according to individual indications.

The collected information will serve as a basis for establishing the cause of the condition, accurate diagnosis of the disease. Depending on the prevailing picture, the attending physician will develop a detailed scheme for the most effective and efficient treatment.

Treatment of pathology

Complex therapy helps to eliminate muscle spasms of tissues, get rid of pain manifestations. Depending on the identified cause of the pathology, the following are prescribed:

• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• performing massage procedures;
• cryotherapy, exposure to cold;
• laser therapy;
• acupuncture;
• medicines.

Medical treatment of muscle spasm

To effectively relax cramped muscles and quickly eliminate pain syndrome, use:

• Muscle relaxants, drugs that reduce muscle tone until the muscles are completely immobilized;
• Antispasmodics, drugs that eliminate spasm of the smooth muscles of the internal organs of the patient;
• NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with high-quality analgesic effect.

Most drugs in these groups are available over the counter. Nevertheless, before a medical examination, it is not recommended to take drugs on your own, so as not to blur the clinical picture of the disease, suppressing the development of a serious complication.

Possible complications of the disease

If you do not pay attention to muscle spasms, then over time their duration and severity will increase, and will also provoke the progress of serious diseases of the body, such as:

• osteochondrosis;
• narrowing of the arteries, circulatory disorders;
• postural disorders, problems of the musculoskeletal system;
• migraines.

It is much more difficult to cure neglected muscle spasms than a pathological process that has just started.

Prevention of muscle cramps

Effective preventive measures help reduce the likelihood of recurrence of painful manifestations, as well as avoid dangerous complications:

• taking vitamin and mineral complexes;
• daily consumption of at least two liters of drinking water;
• regular muscle-strengthening exercise;
• giving up bad habits;
• timely treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• undergoing annual scheduled medical examinations, as well as visiting a doctor in the presence of dangerous symptoms.

Muscle spasms: advanced treatment in Moscow

Effective treatment of muscle spasms is possible only with timely access to highly qualified specialists. These are the doctors who work in our clinic. For many years they have been successfully coping with muscle spasms, restoring health and joy of life to the most difficult and hopeless patients. We accept for treatment even those who have been rejected by other specialists or medical institutions.

Guaranteed positive result – a logical result of an innovative approach that combines classical methods of therapy proven by practice, as well as innovative achievements of modern medicine in the field of treatment of muscle spasms. The professional arsenal of doctors of the clinic is rich and varied. It contains a huge number of rehabilitation and recovery programs, and is also systematically updated with the most effective and progressive methods. Our doctors are constantly adopting the best practices of leading experts in this field, leaving for training, seminars, conferences in leading clinics in Israel, the USA, Germany.

We offer our patients a free consultation with an experienced specialist, an extended diagnosis of the problem, and a plan of therapeutic measures. From the first treatment procedures, patients notice a significant improvement in their condition, partial or complete relief of pain symptoms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the harms of muscle tension and spasms?

A spasmodic muscle compresses blood vessels as well as nerve fibers. The normal functioning of not only the tissues of the muscle itself is disturbed, but also of closely located internal organs. In addition, muscle spasm maintains the tissue in a constantly tense state, increasing the body’s energy consumption for irrational and even harmful work.

What diseases can mimic muscle spasms?

The cause of such destruction may be:

• Dystonia, giving more persistent, repetitive convulsions, which may involve several nearby muscle groups;
• Tetany, neuromuscular excitability syndrome in metabolic disorders;
• Muscle ischemia, giving painful symptoms of the muscles of the extremities during exercise, associated with insufficiently active blood circulation;
• Phantom spasms, the occurrence of a sensation of muscle spasm in the absence of a true contraction.

Who tends to cramp more often?

The problem is familiar to every person, but for some it is a rarity, while for others it is a constant companion. The risk group includes people:

• suffering from vascular diseases and muscle atrophy;
• engaged in heavy physical labor;
• athletes;
• alcohol abusers;
• pregnant women
• babies up to three years old, when the temperature rises above 38 degrees.

Why does muscle contraction in pregnant women?

During pregnancy there is a complete restructuring of the body, including metabolism. Against this background, there is often a deficiency of certain elements or vitamins, in particular magnesium. It is his lack that causes muscle spasm. Against the background of weight gain, the load on the woman’s legs increases, causing the occurrence of painful contractions. The lumbar spine, which is in tension under the pressure of the uterus, leads to painful reduction of the back muscles. In the state of gestation, women are recommended frequent rest and physiotherapy exercises, which strengthen the muscular corset of the body.

Material checked by an expert

Marshenin Konstantin Vladimirovich

Chief physician. Neurologist, chiropractor, vertebrologist, psychoneurologist, doctor of the highest qualification category

Work experience – 22 years

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Joint block in the neck

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B Dr. Length’s clinic I came in with spinal problems. With two intervertebral lower hernias and two intervertebral hernias in the neck. I was assigned a comprehensive 10 step program. For 4 months, my lower vertebrae completely disappeared and crunches in my neck disappeared …

Hernia of the lumbosacral region

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Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

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Pain in the lower back and leg

Yakovleva Natalya Mikhailovna
Head of the department, surgeon of the highest category, oncologist-mammologist
I want to express my deep gratitude for the fact that I was put on my feet in the truest sense of the word. I came to the clinic a month and a half ago with severe pain in the lower back and leg. These complaints were long enough and the treatment that I used in the past was ineffective. Fortunately, I ended up in the clinic of Dr. Length and his team of super professionals!

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Pain in the spine

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I came to the clinic with severe pain in my shoulder. My hand did not rise, I could not sleep at night, I woke up from pain. After the first treatment session, I felt much better. Somewhere in the middle of the course, my hand began to rise, I began to sleep at night.

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Intervertebral hernia

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Pain in the neck

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Pain in the thoracic region

“I went to the clinic with back pain, namely in the thoracic region. After 10 sessions of treatment, I could already calmly go about my usual business, stay at work until lunch, without howling in pain. Now I’ve come back for an adjustment after 2 months. I’m fine, my back doesn’t hurt.”

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Muscle cramps – treatment, symptoms, causes, diagnosis

• Muscle cramps are involuntary and intense muscle contractions without a period of relaxation.
• Almost everyone has experienced a seizure at least once in their life.
• There are different types of seizures and different causes.
• Many different medications can cause muscle cramps.
• In most cases, muscle cramps can be stopped by relaxing (stretching) the muscle.
• Muscle cramps can often be prevented by measures such as a nutritious diet with sufficient micronutrients and adequate fluid intake.

Muscle cramps is an involuntary and violent contraction of a muscle without a period of relaxation. When muscles that can be controlled voluntarily, such as the muscles of the arms or legs, are used, they alternately contract and relax as certain movements are made in the limbs. The muscles that support the head, neck and torso work in synchrony and maintain the position of the body. A muscle (or even a few muscle fibers) can be involuntarily in a state of spasm. If the spasm is strong and persistent, then this leads to the appearance of convulsions. Muscle cramps are often visualized or palpated in the region of the muscle involved.

Muscle cramps can last from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour, and sometimes longer. It is also not uncommon for the seizures to recur until the muscle relaxes. The spasmodic contractions may involve part of a muscle, the entire muscle, or several muscles that usually contract at the same time when performing movements, such as flexing several fingers. In some cases, cramps can be simultaneously in the antagonist muscles responsible for movements in opposite directions. Muscle cramps are widespread. Almost all people (according to some studies about 95% of people) have experienced seizures at some point in their lives. Muscle cramps are common in adults and become more common with age, but cramps can still occur in children. In any muscle (skeletal) in which voluntary movements are performed, there may be cramps. Cramps of the limbs, legs and feet, and especially the calf muscle, are very common.

Types and causes of muscle cramps

Skeletal muscle cramps can be divided into four main types. These include “true” seizures, tetanic seizures, contractures, and dystonic seizures. Seizures are classified according to the causes of the seizures and the muscle groups they affect.

Types of muscle cramps

True cramps . True cramps involve part or all of a muscle or group of muscles that normally function together, such as the muscles involved in flexing several adjacent fingers. Most researchers agree that true cramps are caused by increased excitability of nerves that stimulate muscle contractions. They are overwhelmingly the most common type of skeletal muscle cramps. True seizures can occur in a variety of circumstances.

Injuries : Persistent muscle spasms may occur as a defense mechanism after an injury such as a broken bone. In this case, as a rule, spasm allows you to minimize movement and stabilize the area of ​​injury. Injury to just the muscle can also lead to muscle spasm.

Vigorous activity: true cramps are usually associated with active muscle loading and muscle fatigue (during sports or unusual activities). Such convulsions can occur both during the activity and after, sometimes many hours later. In addition, muscle fatigue from sitting or lying down for a long period of time in an awkward position or any repetitive movement can also cause cramps. Older people are more at risk of seizures during vigorous or strenuous physical activity.

Rest seizures : Rest seizures are very common, especially in the elderly, but can occur at any age, including childhood. Rest spasms often occur at night. Night cramps, while not life threatening, can be painful, disrupt sleep, and may recur frequently (i.e., many times a night and/or many nights a week). The actual cause of nighttime cramps is unknown. Sometimes these cramps are initiated by a movement that contracts the muscles. An example would be stretching the foot in bed, which shortens the calf muscle, where cramps are most common.

Dehydration : Sports and other strenuous exercise may cause excessive fluid loss through sweat. With this type of dehydration, the likelihood of true seizures increases. These cramps most often occur in warm weather and may be an early sign of heat stroke. Chronic dehydration due to diuretics and poor fluid intake can similarly lead to seizures, especially in the elderly. Seizures can also be associated with a lack of sodium.

Redistribution of fluids in the body: true convulsions can also be noted in conditions where there is an unusual distribution of fluid in the body. An example is cirrhosis of the liver, in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites). Similarly, seizures are a relatively common complication of the rapid changes in body fluids that occur during dialysis for kidney failure.

Low levels of electrolytes in the blood (calcium, magnesium): low blood levels of calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of the nerve endings innervating the muscles. This may be a predisposing factor for the spontaneous true seizures that many older people experience, and these seizures are also common in pregnant women. Low levels of calcium and magnesium are common in pregnant women, especially if these minerals are not getting enough from the diet. Seizures occur in any circumstance that reduces the availability of calcium or magnesium in body fluids, such as diuretics, hyperventilation, excessive vomiting, lack of calcium and/or magnesium in the diet, insufficient absorption of calcium due to vitamin D deficiency, reduced parathyroid function.

Low potassium levels: Low blood potassium levels sometimes cause muscle cramps, although muscle weakness is more common in hypokalemia.

Tetany

Tetany activates all nerve cells in the body, which then stimulate muscle contraction. In this type, convulsive contractions occur throughout the body. The name tetany comes from the spasms that occur when tetanus toxin affects the nerves. However, this name for this type of cramp is now widely used to refer to muscle cramps in other conditions, such as low blood levels of calcium and magnesium. Low levels of calcium and magnesium increase the activity of the nervous tissue non-specifically, which can lead to the appearance of tetanic seizures. Often these seizures are accompanied by signs of hyperactivity of other nerve functions in addition to muscle hyperstimulation. For example, low blood calcium not only causes muscle spasm in the hands and wrists, but it can also cause numbness and tingling sensations around the mouth and other areas of the body.

Sometimes, tetanic convulsions are indistinguishable from true convulsions. Additional changes in sensation or other nerve function may not be noticeable, as the pain of a cramp may mask other symptoms.

Contractures

Contractures occur when muscles cannot relax for an even longer period than with the main types of muscle cramps. Constant spasms are caused by the depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy intracellular substrate of the cell. This prevents relaxation of the muscle fibers. The nerves are inactive in this type of muscle cramp.

Contracture may be the result of genetic inheritance (eg, McArdle disease, which is a defect in the breakdown of glycogen to sugar in muscle cells) or acquired conditions (eg, hyperthyroid myopathy, which is a muscle disease associated with an overactive thyroid gland). Convulsions of the type of contractures are rare.

Dystonic seizures

The last category of seizures are dystonic seizures, in which muscles not involved in the intended movement are affected and contracted. Muscles that are involved in this type of cramp include antagonistic muscles that usually work in the opposite direction of the intended movement and/or others that enhance the movement. Some dystonic spasms usually affect small muscle groups (eyelids, cheeks, neck, larynx, etc.). The arms and hands may be affected during repetitive movements such as writing (writer’s cramp), playing a musical instrument. These activities can also lead to true cramps due to muscle fatigue. Dystonic seizures are not as common as true seizures.

Other types of seizures

Some seizures are caused by a number of nerve and muscle disorders. For example, these are diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), accompanied by muscle weakness and atrophy; radiculopathy in degenerative diseases of the spine (hernia, disc protrusion, osteophytes), when root compression is accompanied by pain, impaired sensitivity and sometimes convulsions. Seizures can also occur with peripheral nerve damage, such as diabetic neuropathy.

Crumpy . This type of cramps, as a rule, describes cramps in the calf muscle, and associate their appearance with muscle overstrain and the presence of degenerative changes in the spine (osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, lumbar ischialgia). In addition, cramps are possible with disorders of the vascular circulation in the lower extremities (with obliterating endarteritis or post-thrombophlebitic syndrome). Also, various biochemical disorders in the triceps muscle of the leg can be the cause of cramps.

Many drugs can cause seizures. Strong diuretics such as furosemide or vigorous fluid removal from the body, even with less potent diuretics, can induce seizures as dehydration and sodium loss occur. At the same time, diuretics often cause loss of potassium, calcium and magnesium, which can also cause seizures.

Medicines such as donepezil (Aricept, which is used to treat Alzheimer’s) and neostigmine (Prostigmine, used for myasthenia gravis), asraloxifene (Evista) is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women – may cause seizures. Tolcapone (Tasmar), which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, has been shown to cause muscle cramps in at least 10% of patients. True seizures have been reported with nifedipine and the drugs Terbutaline (Brethine) and albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin). Some medicines used to lower cholesterol, such as lovastatin (Mevacor), can also cause seizures.

Seizures are sometimes observed in addicts during cessation of sedatives.

Lack of certain vitamins can also lead directly or indirectly to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies in thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). The exact role of deficiency of these vitamins in causing seizures is unknown.

Poor circulation in the legs leads to a lack of oxygen in the muscle tissue and can cause severe muscle pain (intermittent claudication) that occurs when walking. It usually occurs in the calf muscles. But the pain in vascular disorders in such cases is not caused by the muscle cramp itself. This pain may be more related to the buildup of lactic acid and other chemicals in muscle tissue. Cramps in the calf muscles can also be associated with a violation of the outflow of blood in varicose veins and, as a rule, cramps in the calf muscles occur at night.

Symptoms and diagnosis of muscle cramps

Characteristically, a cramp is often quite painful. As a rule, the patient has to stop activities and urgently take measures to relieve seizures; the person is unable to use the affected muscle during the seizure. Severe cramps may be accompanied by soreness and swelling, which can sometimes persist for up to several days after the cramp has subsided. At the time of the cramp, the affected muscles will bulge, feel hard and tender to the touch.

Diagnosis of seizures is usually not difficult, but finding out the causes may require both careful history taking and instrumental and laboratory examinations.

Treatment

Most seizures can be interrupted by stretching the muscle. For many leg and foot cramps, this stretch can often be achieved by standing up and walking. With cramps in the calf muscles, it is possible to bend the ankle with the help of the hand, while lying in bed with the leg extended straight. In writing spasm, pressing the hand against the wall with the fingers down will stretch the flexors of the fingers.

A gentle muscle massage can also be performed to help relax a cramped muscle. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with strenuous exercise, rehydration and restoration of electrolyte levels is necessary.

Muscle relaxants may be used in the short term in certain situations to allow muscles to relax during injury or other conditions (eg, radiculopathy). These drugs include cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), orphenadrine (NORFLEX), and baclofen (Lioresal).

In recent years, injections of therapeutic doses of botulinum toxin (Botox) have been successfully used for certain dystonic muscle disorders that are localized to a limited muscle group. A good response may last several months or more, and injections may be repeated.

Treatment of seizures that are associated with specific diseases, usually focuses on the treatment of the underlying disease.

In cases where seizures are severe, frequent, prolonged, difficult to treat, or not associated with an obvious cause, then in such cases, both additional examination and more intensive treatment are required.

Seizure Prevention

Adequate nutrition with sufficient fluids and electrolytes is essential to prevent possible seizures, especially during strenuous exercise or during pregnancy.

Night cramps and other rest cramps can often be prevented with regular stretching exercises, especially if done before bed.

Magnesium and calcium supplements are also a good way to prevent seizures, but caution is required when prescribing them in the presence of renal failure. In the presence of hypovitaminosis, it is necessary to take vitamins of group B, vitamin D, E.

If the patient is taking diuretics, it is necessary to take potassium supplements.

Recently, the only drug that is widely used for the prevention, and sometimes for the treatment of seizures, is quinine. Quinine has been used for many years in the treatment of malaria. The action of quinine is due to a decrease in muscle excitability. However, quinine has a number of serious side effects that limit its use to all groups of patients (nausea, vomiting, headaches, heart rhythm disturbances, hearing impairment, etc.