The main symptom of a muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary, and painful contraction of a muscle. [1] Unfortunately, the cramp can still cause pain after it is over, even for days.[2] Muscle cramps can be felt as hardness of the affected muscle, and may be seen depending on muscle location and individual variability.[1]
While muscle cramps are commonly believed to be caused by dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, they are more likely due to muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction.[3][4][4][5]