How Cramps Can be Treated and Prevented

First of all a cramp occurs when your muscle tightens and therefore shortens, causing sudden and severe pain. You can get cramps in just about any muscle of the body, but occur most often in the calf muscles. Overexertion, dehydration and inactivity can cause cramps, so a cramp can occur even when you are sleeping!!!

Cramp can be treated by following some easy steps. First, relax the tightened area and gently massage the area that is cramped. Now you need to stretch out the muscle slowly and gently. Cramp can also be treated with ice as it is an anti-inflammatory. Massage the muscle after icing the area for up to ten minutes. It is better to prevent cramping before you get it.

To prevent cramps you can, if in a long distance running race, train slowly up to the distance you are running. You should hydrate yourself properly during exercise especially in sports. Urine can determine if you are properly hydrated as it will be colourless if you are properly hydrated, dark yellow if you are dehydrated and pale yellow if you are somewhere in between. So going to the toilet before exercise can help you decide whether to drink more or not. Stretching before and after exercise can help prevent cramps as well. Wearing the proper clothing so you do not expose the muscles to rapid temperature changes and making sure you replenish glycogen in you body can also help prevent cramps.