Spasms
may affect many different types of muscles in the body, leading to many
different symptoms and presentations.
Spasms of skeletal muscles are most common and are often due todehydrationand electrolyte abnormalities. The spasm occurs abruptly,
is painful, and is usually short-lived. It may be relieved by gently stretching
the muscle.
If muscle
spasms are especially painful, if they do not resolve or if they recur, medical
care should be accessed to look for possible underlying causes.
Smooth muscles that are within the walls of hollow organs can go into
spasm, causing significantpain. Often thispainis colicky, meaning that it comes and goes. Examples
include the pain associated withmenstrual cramps,diarrheal,gallbladder pain, and passing akidney stone.
A special form of muscle spasms are the dystopias where
an abnormality perhaps exists with the chemicals that help transmit signals
within the brain. Examples includetorticollisand blepharospasm. Treatment may include medications to help restore the
neurotransmitter levels to normal andBotox injectionsto paralyze the affected muscle and
relieve the spasm.
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