Question 1

what is a muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Muscle Spasm: A sudden tightening of any muscle is a muscle spasm. This can be caused by excessive use or electrolyte abnormalities.

Question 2

how long can a muscle spasm last?

Accepted Answer

Until muscle  tires: A spasm can be fleeting or sustained, depending on what is causing it. An extreme example is sustained electric shock will cause spasm as long as the shock lasts. If there is a stimulus, such as a back muscle injury, use of the muscle will cause it to spasm. In this case the spasm will and go. This situation can persist for weeks because in spasming the muscles further injures itself.

Question 3

do a lot of people get muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

There are many cause: There are many causes of muscle spasm. This is a common problem and could indicate local injury or relate to a more chronic condition. An evaluation by a physician is important to assess the source of symptoms and appropriate treatment.

Question 4

are the symptoms of muscle spasm bad?

Accepted Answer

Pain: Usually muscle spasm is the bodies attempt to stabilize a bone or joint that hurts.  It is seen most often in association with back and neck pain.  As the muscle spasm continues, metabolites of muscle contraction build up in the muscle which add more soreness to the pain.  Treatments can be aimed at reliving the source of the pain or relaxing the muscle spasm.

Question 5

what can be done about a muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Hot tub: Hot tub bath with epson salts  can do well for many people.

Question 6

how much should i worry about muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on which muscles, how frequent, how painful and any underlying pathology.  Occasional muscle spams may be due to electrolyte imbalance due to heat and may not be a cause for concern.  Torticollis is also a muscle spasm and can be disabling.  Muscle spasms may occur due to low calcium, or manifestations of nerve disorders.

Question 7

what does it feel like to have a muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Pain/muscles tight: Spasm of a muscle usually produces pain  and possible muscle twitching. Most spasm is short lived and responds to massage and muscle relaxants. Often in professional sports a spasm is locally treated and the player returns to the fray. Electrolyte abnormalities of sodium and potassium are often invoked as causes.

Question 8

how common is it for somebody to get muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Spasm: Extremely common. Does not necessarily point to any disease state. You may want to consider seeing your pcp for some blood work e.g.Electrolytes

4 ounces of tonic water may help at night for a week or so.

Question 9

what symptoms can be associated with muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Pain tightness: A muscle spasm is a painful over tightening of a muscle.  It is most commonly caused when a muscle does not have an adequate supply of oxygen  to perform the task that is being asked of it.  Then it kind of seizes up and stops working until you can get some blood flowing into it again.

Question 10

what is the definition or description of: muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

Muscle spasm: Muscle spasms are typically painful involuntary muscle contracures which can occur in any part of the body, such as the neck, back and legs. There are various causes of muscle spasms such as recent injury or trauma and dehydration. Typically, patients can modify activity, rest, stretch, utilize heat or ice for treatment of muscle spasms. Rarely, patients can also utilize muscle relaxant medication

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