What causes muscle cramps?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    The underlying cause of muscle cramps is not well understood.[1] [1] Much of the evidence is nonscientific or observational.[2]

    One hypothesis for the cause of muscle cramps is because of dehydration and/or electrolyte abnormalities. However, trials have shown no significant correlations between hydration, serum electrolyte levels, and muscle cramps.[3][4]

    A stronger hypothesis may be muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction, and would help to explain why muscle cramps can occur after changes to exercise (e.g., unusually high volume or intensity, or unusual heat or humidity in the environment).[4]PMID:33998664]

    The cause may ultimately be multifactorial. People with muscle cramps should be examined by a licensed healthcare professional to explore the above potential causes, along with more rare causes of muscle cramps, such as:[5]

    • Drugs (e.g., nifedipine, cimetidine, terbutaline, salbutamol, clofibrate, penicillamine, diuretics, ethanol)[5]
    • Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis
    • Neurological diseases, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease[1][6]

    References

    1. ^Hawke F, Sadler SG, Katzberg HD, Pourkazemi F, Chuter V, Burns JNon-drug therapies for the secondary prevention of lower limb muscle cramps.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2021-May-17)
    2. ^Miller KC, Stone MS, Huxel KC, Edwards JEExercise-associated muscle cramps: causes, treatment, and prevention.Sports Health.(2010-Jul)
    3. ^Sulzer NU, Schwellnus MP, Noakes TDSerum electrolytes in Ironman triathletes with exercise-associated muscle cramping.Med Sci Sports Exerc.(2005-Jul)
    4. ^Schwellnus MP, Drew N, Collins MMuscle cramping in athletes--risk factors, clinical assessment, and management.Clin Sports Med.(2008-Jan)
    5. ^Jansen PH, Gabreëls FJ, van Engelen BGDiagnosis and differential diagnosis of muscle cramps: a clinical approach.J Clin Neuromuscul Dis.(2002-Dec)
    6. ^Scott R Garrison, Christina S Korownyk, Michael R Kolber, G Michael Allan, Vijaya M Musini, Ravneet K Sekhon, Nicolas DugréMagnesium for skeletal muscle crampsCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2020 Sep 21)