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Diseases » Muscle cramps » Treatments
 

Treatments for Muscle cramps

Treatments for Muscle cramps

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Muscle cramps includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

  • Sodium - possibly used for related sodium deficiency

Muscle cramps: Is the Diagnosis Correct?

The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Muscle cramps may include:

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Book Excerpts: Treatment of Muscle cramps

Treatments of Muscle cramps: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Muscle cramps.

Muscle Weakness – Distal: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • Acute demyelinating disorders (GBS, CIDP)
    –Often respond to intravenous gamma-globulin
    • Medication/chemotherapy-induced neuropathies
      –Often improved after cessation of the offending medication
      –Response is time-dependent; may take up to months
    • Toxic exposures
      –Often difficult to detect, unless resulting from acute overdose
  • Metabolic neuropathies are treated supportively
  • Braces often assist with foot drop for both acquired and congenital neuropathies

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Muscle Weakness – Proximal: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • Combination of physical therapy, bracing, and orthopedic surgical interventions can help patients maintain functional motor skills
    • Duchenne muscular dystrophy
      –Oral prednisone to increase and sustain muscle strength
    • Endocrine myopathies
      –Treating the underlying endocrine disease corrects the myopathy and weakness
    • Dermatomyositis
      –Oral prednisone
      –If resistant to oral steroids, immunosuppression with high-dose intravenous steroids, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide or intravenous immunoglobulins
  • Transverse myelitis
    –Treat with high-dose intravenous steroids
  • Myasthenia gravis
    –Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (pyridostigmine), immunosuppression, and thymectomy

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Muscle flaccidity [Muscle hypotonicity]: Emergency Interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

If the patient’s muscle flaccidity results from trauma, make sure his cervical spine has been stabilized. Quickly determine his respiratory status. If you note signs and symptoms of respiratory insufficiency — dyspnea, shallow respirations, nasal flaring, cyanosis, and decreased oxygen saturation — administer oxygen by nasal cannula or mask. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006

Muscle spasms [Muscle cramps]: Emergency Interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

If the patient complains of frequent or unrelieved spasms in many muscles, accompanied by paresthesia in his hands and feet, quickly attempt to elicit Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs. If these signs are present, suspect hypocalcemia. Evaluate respiratory function, watching for the development of laryngospasm; provide supplemental oxygen as necessary, and prepare to intubate the patient and provide mechanical ventilation. Draw blood for calcium and electrolyte levels and arterial blood gas analysis, and insert an I.V. line for administration of a calcium supplement. Monitor the patient’s cardiac status, and prepare to begin resuscitation if necessary.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006

Muscle flaccidity [Muscle hypotonicity]: Emergency Interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

If the patient’s muscle flaccidity results from trauma, make sure his cervical spine has been stabilized. Quickly determine his respiratory status. If you note signs and symptoms of respiratory insufficiency—dyspnea, shallow respirations, nasal flaring, cyanosis, and decreased oxygen saturation—administer oxygen by nasal cannula or mask. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Muscle spasms [Muscle cramps]: Emergency Interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

If the patient complains of frequent or unrelieved spasms in many muscles, accompanied by paresthesia in his hands and feet, quickly attempt to elicit Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs. If these signs are present, suspect hypocalcemia. Evaluate respiratory function, watching for the development of laryngospasm; provide supplemental oxygen as necessary, and prepare to intubate the patient and provide mechanical ventilation. Draw blood for calcium and electrolyte levels and arterial blood gas analysis, and insert an I.V. line for administration of a calcium supplement. Monitor cardiac status, and prepare to begin resuscitation if necessary.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Muscle weakness: Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Teach the patient how to safely use assistive devices. Make sure he understands the importance of frequent position changes to reduce the risk of pressure ulcer formation. Encourage him to plan frequent rest periods throughout the day.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Muscle flaccidity [Muscle hypotonicity]: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Provide regular, systematic, passive ROM exercises to preserve joint mobility and increase circulation.

▪ Reposition the patient every 2 hours to protect him from skin breakdown.

▪ Pad bony prominences and other pressure points.

▪ Treat isolated flaccidity by supporting the affected limb with a sling or splint.

▪ Consult a physical therapist and an occupational therapist to formulate a personalized therapy regimen and foster independence.

▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests, such as cranial and spinal X-rays, computed tomography scans, and electromyography.

Patient teaching

▪ Teach the patient how to use assistive devices.

▪ Review the prescribed exercise regimen.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Muscle weakness: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Provide assistive devices as necessary.

▪ Protect the patient from injury.

▪ If sensory loss occurs, guard against pressure ulcer formation and thermal injury.

▪ With chronic weakness, provide ROM exercises or splint limbs as necessary.

▪ Allow for adequate rest periods.

▪ Administer pain medications as needed.

▪ Prepare the patient for blood tests, muscle biopsy, electromyography, nerve conduction studies, and X-rays or computed tomography scans.

Patient teaching

▪ Teach the patient how to use assistive devices as necessary.

▪ Explain the importance of frequent position changes and rest periods.

▪ Explain the cause of muscle weakness and the treatment plan.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Muscle spasms [Muscle cramps]: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Help alleviate muscle spasms by slowly stretching the affected muscle in the direction opposite the contraction.

▪ If necessary, administer a mild analgesic.

▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic studies, such as serum calcium, sodium and carbon dioxide levels, thyroid function tests, and blood flow studies or arteriography.

Patient teaching

▪ Discuss measures for pain relief.

▪ Teach the patient how to use assistive devices, if appropriate.

▪ Teach about dietary changes that may help to decrease muscle spasms.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007



 » Next page: Alternative Treatments for Muscle cramps

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