Table: Conditions That Cause or Contribute to Muscle Cramps

Conditions That Cause or Contribute to Muscle Cramps

Category	Examples
Drugs
Use of certain drugs	Angiotensin II receptor blockers and some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure), bronchodilators (used to treat asthma), cisplatin, clofibrate, diuretics, donepezil, lovastatin, birth control pills (oral contraceptives), pyrazinamide, raloxifene, synthetic parathyroid hormone (teriparatide), tolcapone, or vincristine Stimulants, such as amphetamines, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, nicotine, or pseudoephedrine
Sudden stopping of a drug	Sedatives, such as alcohol, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines Drugs used to treat insomnia or anxiety
Disorders
Metabolic and hormonal (endocrine) disorders	Low levels of potassium ( hypokalemia Hypokalemia (Low Level of Potassium in the Blood) In hypokalemia, the level of potassium in blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A... read more ), low levels of magnesium ( hypomagnesemia Hypomagnesemia (Low Level of Magnesium in the Blood) In hypomagnesemia, the level of magnesium in blood is too low. (See also Overview of Electrolytes and Overview of Magnesium's Role in the Body.) Magnesium is one of the body's electrolytes,... read more ), or low levels of calcium ( hypocalcemia Hypocalcemia (Low Level of Calcium in the Blood) In hypocalcemia, the calcium level in blood is too low. A low calcium level may result from a problem with the parathyroid glands, as well as from diet, kidney disorders, or certain drugs. As... read more ) Alcoholism Alcohol Use Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant (it slows down brain and nervous system functioning). Consuming large amounts rapidly or regularly can cause health problems, including organ damage, coma,... read more Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is underactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to inadequate production of thyroid hormones and a slowing of vital body functions. Facial expressions become dull, the voice... read more (an underactive thyroid gland)
Musculoskeletal disorders	Tight calf muscles Myopathies (disorders that affect muscle) Structural disorders, such as flat feet or genu recurvatum (a deformity of the knee joint that causes the knee to bend backward)
Nerve disorders	Motor neuron disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Other Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs) Motor neuron diseases are characterized by progressive deterioration of the nerve cells that initiate muscle movement. As a result, the muscles stimulated by these nerves deteriorate, become... read more (nerve disorders that affect voluntary muscles—those controlled by conscious effort) Peripheral neuropathies Overview of the Peripheral Nervous System The peripheral nervous system refers to the parts of the nervous system that are outside the central nervous system, that is, those outside the brain and spinal cord. Thus, the peripheral nervous... read more (damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) Compression of a spinal nerve root
Water balance disorders	Dehydration Dehydration Dehydration is a deficiency of water in the body. Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, burns, kidney failure, and use of diuretics may cause dehydration. People feel thirsty, and as dehydration... read more Excessive sweating Excessive Sweating People with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) sweat profusely, and some sweat almost constantly. Excessive sweating usually has no clear cause but is sometimes caused by infections, metabolic... read more with inadequate replacement of salt or potassium Effects of dialysis Dialysis Dialysis is an artificial process for removing waste products and excess fluids from the body, a process that is needed when the kidneys are not functioning properly. There are a number of reasons... read more —for example, if too much fluid is removed from the body or if fluid is removed too quickly
Other conditions
Exercise and lifestyle	Cramping during or soon after exercise Sitting for a long time