what are cramps?

Question

when playing sports i might usually get a cramp in my stomach. what is it and what causes it? also, im a guy

Answer 1

Usually, cramps are a sign of dehydration. If your muscles do not have enough sodium, potassium, calcium, or other ions, they cannot balance the concentration of water inside and outside of the cell. Thus, muscles will contract when they are not supposed to (sodium and potassium are required for this action) and you get cramps.

Try this routine:

20 to 60 minutes before you play, drink at least 2 cups of water.
Immediately before playing, drink another cup.
For every 20 minutes of activity, drink another cup of water.

Such is the hydration recommendation for athletes

Answer 2

A muscle cramp, technically, occurs when your muscle tightens and shortens causing a sudden severe pain.
Muscle cramps generally result from overexertion and dehydration. When you don't have enough fluid in your system, it leads to an electrolyte imbalance that causes your muscles to cramp up. Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium that help the cells to function normally. An imbalance occurs when we have too much or too little of one or more electrolytes in our system. The main electrolytes affecting muscle cramping are potassium, sodium and calcium.
Cramps may also occur after inactivity, such as sitting too long in one place without moving a muscle. Sometimes you can even get a cramp when you're just lying in bed, though researchers cannot define a cause.

Most often people get cramps in their calves, however, you can also get them in your thighs, feet or just about any muscle. Cramps can be eased by a few simple methods. First, relax the tightened area. You should gently massaging the area that's cramped, whether it's a crick in your calf from over exercising or a spasm in your feet. Second, stretch the muscle out slowly and gently, as long as you don't feel pain. For calf cramps, do a wall stretch. Stand about three feet away from the wall, with your knees straight and your heels on the floor. Lean into the wall, supporting yourself with your hands. You will feel the stretch of your calf muscles. Hold for 60 seconds and repeat three times.

You should also make sure to drink plenty of fluids. If you get muscle cramps after exercise, drink water or a sports drink or juice to rehydrate and restore your electrolyte balance. Most of the time water will be sufficient to rehydrate you, however, you are then better off choosing a sports drink containing electrolytes.

You may also undo a cramp with ice. Ice is both a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory. Try massaging the area with ice for no more than ten minutes or until the area is bright red, which indicates that blood cells have returned to heat the cramped muscle. If ice is too uncomfortable, try heat. Heat improves superficial blood circulation and makes muscles more flexible, so some people find that heat is more soothing for muscle cramps than ice. Try a heating pad for 20 minutes at a time or even a warm shower or bath. Make sure to massage the muscle with your hands following ice or heat.

Heat Cramps Overview
Heat cramps are painful, brief muscle cramps. Muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Heat cramps can occur during exercise or work in a hot environment or begin a few hours later.
Heat cramps usually involve muscles that are fatigued by heavy work such as calves, thighs, and shoulders.
You are most at risk if you are doing work or activities in a hot environment—usually during the first few days of an activity you're not used to.
You are also at risk if you sweat a great deal during exercise and drink large amounts of water or other fluids that lack salt.

Answer 3

Cramps are unpleasant sensations caused by contraction, usually of muscles. It can be caused by cold or overexertion. Illness or poisoning can also cause cramps, particularly in the stomach, which is referred to as colic if it fits particular characteristics.

There are two basic causes of cramping. One is inadequate oxygenation of muscle, and the other is lack of water or salt. Cramps from poor oxygenation can be improved by rapid deep breathing, as well as stretching the muscle. Cramps from lack of salt and water can be treated by stretching the muscle, and of course drinking water and increasing salt intake. Pounding on the muscle can increase soreness.

Muscle cramps in particular can be treated by applying a soft massage on the cramped muscle, stretching the muscle and applying heat or cold. Heat improves superficial blood circulation and makes muscles more flexible, so some people find that heat is more soothing for muscle cramps than applying ice.

Electrolyte disturbance may cause cramping and tetany of muscles, particularly hypokalemia (a lack of potassium) and hypocalcemia (a lack of calcium).

Answer 4

Cramps are when you muscles tighten up real hard. You can't relax them and they hurt.
Lactic acid is a bi-product of the chemical reaction that makes muscles move. Lactic acid normally gets washed out of the muscles by the blood and stuff. But, when you use them hard for a little too long, the lactic acid builds up and causes the muscle to malfunction and hurt. Think of it as a governor or Nature's way of telling you when to stop.

Answer 5

There are two basic causes of cramping. One is inadequate oxygenation of muscle, and the other is lack of water or salt. Cramps from poor oxygenation can be improved by rapid deep breathing, as well as stretching the muscle. Cramps from lack of salt and water can be treated by stretching the muscle, and of course drinking water and increasing salt intake. Pounding on the muscle can increase soreness.

Answer 6

Cramps are like a short-circuit in your muscle. Electronic signals originating from the motor cortex of your brain allow you to move. High acidity in your muscles could cause the electric signals to short-circuit and make your muscle contract, causing a cramp.

Answer 7

Take seven times the recommended dosage of laxitive ...... Those are cramps!

Answer 8

See Cramps are the due to squzzing and scrumbling of inner parts of body,,,,,,,,,,,,,, due to heavy work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, just use water with salt when u play,,,,, it doenst matter whether u r girl or boy,,,,,,, just take professional training,,,,,,,,,, and ask urs coach,,,,

Answer 9

exercise causes lactic acid buildup in your muscles, and that's what causes cramps.

Answer 10

muscle spasms