severe arm cramps?

Question

The other night I was awaken by a severe cramp on my left arm, it lasted a couple of minutes and the pain was from the shoulder all the way through my fingers and also onmy chest. A few days later I had the same cramp while playing with my daughter but on my right arm, same pain severity and also from my shoulder through my fingers into my chest.
I've had leg cramps before and they feel somewhat similar, however, I am scared because I've never had them in the arms (only once about 8 months ago). Any insight?!!?

Answer 1

They may just be muscle cramps, brought on by activity or dehydration or whatever. However, for women this kind of pain MAY be a symptom of heart disease.

With men, chest pain related to heart disease is usually one sided and goes down the left arm. With women, there can be shooting or dull pain/tightness on either side (or both) and it can be localized in the chest, arms, or neck. Pain shooting from chest to fingertips could be a warning sign, so you should go to the doc and get checked, just in case.

Answer 2

Pain can be referred from places other than the head. This deals with headaches but the principle works for all kinds of pain.
Muscles get knots called trigger points. These make the muscles tight causing them to press on nerves and other thing.
#1 The first thing is to take a couple swigs of molasses or eat a couple of bananas. They contain magnisium and potassium both of which muscles need.
#2 WATER she should be drinking 1/2 gallon minimum. The head of neurology at UCDavis likens a body running low on water to a car running low on oil (the engine can seize).
Get a good (deep tissue) massage (to loosen the trigger points) on the back, shoulders and neck. Make sure to press up at the base of the skull where it meets the spine.
You rub or lightly scratch everywhere on your head. You will hit spots that are tender these are trigger points. The idea is to rub across them 6-12 times per session up to six times per day until they go away.
For more information on trigger points read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.