A Muscle cramp is a painful, involuntary contraction of the muscles which produce a hard, bulging muscle. Muscle twitching, which is also called fasciculation is the result of spontaneous local muscle contractions that are involuntary.

A muscle cramp is caused by a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles. Often there is no obvious cause, but cramps can occur with over exertion or chilling of the muscles, EG: when running. It is uncommon for cramp to be due to a serious underlying disorder. In most cases, the muscle cramp goes away within a few minutes.

Stretching the calf and other leg muscles improves flexibility thus reducing the risk of cramps. Individuals who get nighttime calf cramps should:

• sleep on your side
• not tuck in their sheets and blankets too tightly. This can bend the toes down and cause a cramp.
• eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits to help reduce the risk of mineral deficiencies.
• sleep with their toes pointed
• drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise to prevent dehydration, especially during hot weather
• >wear comfortable shoes with good arch support to helps prevent cramps