Rs Neurology

Muscle cramps can vary in terms of intensity but generally evoke a tight knotted sensation in the muscle. A cramping muscle could appear hard to touch and may be visibly twitching beneath the skin. Muscle cramps tend to last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Dehydration, overuse of a muscle, muscle strain, or simply being in one position for a long time could cause a muscle cramp. They are fairly common and most muscle cramps are harmless. However, some muscle cramps could be related to an underlying and serious long-term condition. It might not always be about just the muscle — it could be about the nerves as well.

Below are some neurological conditions that could lead to muscle cramps:

Myopathy is a disease which affects the functions of muscles in the body. Due to dysfunction of the muscle fibres, muscles become weaker and work less efficiently than normal. Due to this myopathy causes muscle cramps along with other symptoms like muscle stiffness and muscle spasms.

Motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS) is a neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease that affects the nerves which control voluntary muscles. ALS causes motor neurons to deteriorate then slowly die. When these motor neurons are damaged they can no longer control the muscles. It often begins with muscle twitching, weakness in limbs, and slurred speech.

Neuromuscular disorders are a large group of disorders which affect the nerves that control voluntary muscles causing muscle cramps and twitching. In fact, ALS is one of the neuromuscular disorders.

If you are experiencing the symptoms for any of the above mentioned conditions, it is important to consult your doctor of physician right away.