This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Possible causes of cramp include:

  • electrolyte disturbance:
    • hyponatraemia
    • hypocalcaemia
    • hypermagnesaemia
    • hypomagnesaemia (1)
    • hypo- and hyperkalaemia (1)

  • drugs:
    • nifedipine
    • salbutamol
    • terbutaline
    • diuretics
    • cimetidine
    • morphine
    • lithium
    • clofibrate
    • raloxifene
    • phenothiazines
    • penicillamine
    • ethanol
    • nicotinic acid (1)

  • neurological disorders:
    • multiple sclerosis
    • motor neurone disease
    • lumbar spine dysfunction, especially if associated with L5/S1 compression
  • hyperventilation
  • hypothyroidism
  • liver cirrhosis:
    • nocturnal cramps occur in 80% of patients
  • poisoning:
    • strychnine
    • lead
    • black widow spider bite
  • tetanus
  • varicose veins
  • sarcoidosis (1)
  • congenital disorders:
    • McArdle's disease

Cramp may also develop during pregnancy and in association with heavy bed clothes.

Peripheral vascular disease and venous obstruction do not cause cramps, but cramps may co-exist.

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.