TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 

Symptom: Muscle cramps



Introduction: Muscle cramps

Muscle cramps: spasmodic, painful, involuntary contraction of muscles. See free access online books about Muscle cramps below. See detailed information below for a list of 141 causes of Muscle cramps, including diseases and drug side effect causes.

» Review Causes of Muscle cramps: full list

Causes of Muscle cramps:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Muscle cramps. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

See full list of 141 causes of Muscle cramps

» Review Causes of Muscle cramps: full list

Causes of Types of Muscle cramps:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Muscle cramps:

More types of Muscle cramps

Muscle cramps: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Muscle cramps, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

See full list of 1093 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Muscle cramps

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Muscle cramps

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Muscle cramps:

Diagnostic Guides for Muscle cramps

12 MEDICAL SYMPTOM BOOKS: FULL TEXT ONLINE! Read the full text of published book sections related to Muscle cramps from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Muscle cramps. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Muscle cramps

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Full text. Free access (no registration).
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms"
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms"
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)"
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)"
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)"
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis"
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)"
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)"
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)"
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis"
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses"
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms"
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms"
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms"

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Muscle cramps

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of leg cramps or misdiagnosis of diabetes....read more »

Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (see...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Muscle cramps

Diagnostic tests for Muscle cramps:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Muscle cramps. Some of these are listed below :

  • Physical examination
    • Inspect for muscle fasciculations (irregular contractions of small areas of muscle which have no rhythmical pattern, are present at rest but not during voluntary movement). This suggests motor neurone disease
    • Peripheral nervous system examination including muscular tone, power, reflexes and coordination
  • Blood tests
    • Full blood count and ESR

See full list of 13 diagnostic tests for Muscle cramps

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Muscle cramps. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

  • How long have you had muscle cramps? - to determine if acute or chronic.
  • What exactly do you mean by cramps? - Cramps are painful muscle spasms.
  • Which muscles in the body are involved? - e.g. Forearm cramps suggest motor neurone disease. Cramp in the legs are common, especially at night and after exercise. Cramps in the legs are only occasionally a symptom of disease, in particular salt depletion, lack of blood flow to a muscle and disease of a muscle (myopathy). Writer's cramp is the specific compliant of an inability to perform the motor act of writing.
  • When do the cramps occur? - e.g. at night, in bed, after exercise.
  • Is there a simple explanation for the muscle cramps? - e.g. exertion, exercise, excessive perspiration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, pregnancy.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Muscle cramps (16 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Muscle cramps) may include:

  • Symptoms of polymyositis and dermatomyositis? - e.g. muscle weakness, especially in thighs and upper arms, muscle aches, muscle cramps, joint pain, Raynaud's phenomenon, difficulty with swallowing. Dermatomyositis also features a characteristic violet colored rash over the eyelids, forehead, cheeks, hands, knees and elbows.
  • Symptoms of chronic renal failure? - e.g. tiredness, reduced appetite, insomnia, frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps.
  • Symptoms of Diabetes mellitus? - e.g. frequency of urination, excessive thirst, weight loss (especially in Type 1 Diabetes mellitus), tiredness, fatigue, increased infections especially of the skin and genitals, blurry vision, muscle cramps.
  • Symptoms of progressive muscular atrophy? - e.g. muscle wasting and weakness usually beginning in the small muscles of one hand and then spreads throughout the arm, wasting soon follows on the opposite side, muscle cramps may occur. Muscle fasciculations (irregular contractions of small areas of muscle which have no rhythmical pattern) are present at rest but not during voluntary movement).

See Diagnosis Checklist for Muscle cramps (16 listings)

Stories from Users for Muscle cramps

Real-life user stories relating to Muscle cramps:

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Muscle cramps or relevant symptoms:

Videos for Muscle cramps

Understanding PAD

Understanding PADMillions of Americans suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a disease that occurs when your blood cannot flow efficiently through your...

 
See full list of 1 related videos

Patient Surveys for Muscle cramps

Medications or substances causing Muscle cramps:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Muscle cramps as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

See full list of 267 medications causing Muscle cramps

Drug interactions causing Muscle cramps:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Muscle cramps as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

  • Bumex (Bumetanide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
  • Diachlor (Chlorothiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
  • Diuril (Chlorothiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
  • Diucardin (Hydroflumethiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction
  • Saluron (Hydroflumethiazide) and Lanoxin (Digoxin) interaction

See full list of 13 drug interactions causing Muscle cramps

Organs affected by Muscle cramps:

The list of organs typically affected by Muscle cramps may include, but is not limited to:

Detailed list of causes of Muscle cramps

The list below shows some of the causes of Muscle cramps mentioned in various sources:

See full list of 141 causes of Muscle cramps

How Common are these Causes of Muscle cramps?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Muscle cramps. Of the 141 causes of Muscle cramps that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

  • 3 causes are "very common" diseases
  • 4 causes are "common" diseases
  • 1 causes are "uncommon" diseases
  • 0 causes are "rare" diseases
  • 6 causes are "very rare" diseases
  • 133 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 141 causes of Muscle cramps

Conditions listing symptoms: Muscle cramps:

The following list of conditions have 'Muscle cramps' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

A

  • Acanthosis nigricans muscle cramps acral enlargement ... muscle cramps
  • Acid-Base Imbalance ... muscle cramps
  • Alcoholic Neuropathy ... cramps in calf muscles
  • Alcoholic, reversible acute muscular ... muscle cramp
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 4, juvenile ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 5 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 6 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 7 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 9 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 1 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 2 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 3 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 4 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 5 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 6 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 7 ... muscle cramps
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial type 8 ... muscle cramps
  • Angiopathy, hereditary, with nephropathy, aneurysms and muscle cramps ... muscle cramps
  • Anterior pituitary hyperhormonotrophic syndrome ... muscle cramps
  • Ativan withdrawal ... muscle cramps

    B

  • Bartter's syndrome, antenatal type 1 ... muscle cramps
  • Bartters syndrome, antenatal , type 2 ... muscle cramps

    C

  • Calcification of basal ganglia with or without hypocalcemia ... muscle cramping
  • Celiac Disease ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 1 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 10 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 11 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 12 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 13 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 2 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 3 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 4 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 5 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 6 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 7 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 8 ... muscle cramps
  • Celiac disease, susceptibility to 9 ... muscle cramps
  • Cholera ... muscle cramps
  • Cramp-fasciculations syndrome ... muscle cramps

    D

  • Dehydration ... muscle cramps
  • Diabetes ... muscle cramps
  • Dilaudid withdrawal ... muscle cramps
  • Dilutional hyponatremia ... muscle cramps
  • Disequilibrium syndrome ... muscle cramps
  • Distal hereditary motor neuropathy, type V ... hand cramps
  • Donepezil toxicity ... muscle cramps
  • Dystonia 12 ... muscle cramping

    E

  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, classic type ... muscle cramps

    F

  • Familial hematuria, autosomal dominant - retinal arteriolar tortuosity - contractures ... muscle cramps
  • Familial hypopituitarism ... muscle cramps
  • Familial hypothyroidism ... muscle cramps

    G

  • Gitelman syndrome ... muscle cramps
  • Glycogen storage disease type 7 ... muscle cramps

    H

  • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ... muscle cramps
  • Heat cramps ... muscle cramps
  • Heat exhaustion ... muscle cramps
  • Heatstroke ... muscle cramps
  • Hereditary carnitine deficiency myopathy ... muscle cramps
  • Heroin withdrawal ... muscle cramps
  • Hypoadrenocorticism - hypoparathyroidism - moniliasis ... muscle cramps
  • Hypokalemic periodic paralysis ... muscle cramps
  • Hypoparathyroidism ... muscle cramps
  • Hypoparathyroidism familial isolated ... muscle cramps
  • Hypoparathyroidism X-linked ... muscle cramping
  • Hypophosphatemic rickets ... muscle cramps

    I

  • Insulin-resistance syndrome, type A ... muscle cramps
  • Isaacs syndrome ... muscle cramps

    L

  • Lactate dehydrogenase deficiency type A ... muscle cramps
  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C ... muscle cramps
  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D ... muscle cramps
  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2E ... muscle cramps
  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2F ... muscle cramps
  • Limbic encephalitis - neuromyotonia - hyperhidrosis - polyneuropathy ... muscle cramps
  • Lipid storage myopathy ... muscle cramps

    M

  • Malignant hyperthermia ... muscle cramp
  • Metabolic disorders ... muscle cramping
  • Mitochondrial diseases ... Muscle cramping
  • Motor neuron diseases ... muscle cramps
  • Motor neuropathy ... muscle cramps
  • Multifocal motor neuropathy ... muscle cramping
  • Multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block ... muscle cramps
  • Muscular phosphorylase kinase deficiency ... muscle cramps
  • Myasthenic syndrome, congenital, associated with acetylcholine receptor deficiency ... muscle cramps
  • Myoadenylate deaminase deficiency ... muscle cramps
  • Myoglobinuria recurrent ... muscle cramps
  • Myoglobinuria, dominant form ... muscle cramps

    P

  • Porphyria ... muscle cramps

    R

  • Renal rickets ... muscle cramps
  • Respiratory alkalosis ... muscle cramps
  • Rippling muscle disease ... muscle cramps
  • Rippling muscle disease, 1 ... muscle cramps
  • Rippling muscle disease, 2 ... muscle cramps

    S

  • Sarcoglycanopathy ... muscle cramps
  • Spastic paraparesis ... muscle cramps
  • Strain ... muscle cramping

    T

  • Tacrine toxicity ... muscle cramps
  • Thyroid hormone plasma membrane transport defect ... muscle cramping
  • Timme syndrome ... muscle cramps
  • Troell-Junet syndrome ... muscle cramps
  • Type 1 diabetes ... muscle cramps
  • Type 2 diabetes ... muscle cramps

    U

  • Uremia ... muscle cramps

    W

  • Water Intoxication ... muscle cramps

    Y

  • Young Simpson syndrome ... Muscle cramps

    Z

  • Zadik Barak Levin syndrome ... Muscle cramps

    Conditions listing complications: Muscle cramps:

    The following list of conditions have 'Muscle cramps' or similar listed as a complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

    M

  • Magnesium wasting renal ... muscle cramps

    S

  • Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning ... muscle cramping (from vomiting/diarrhea)

    Join in at the forums

    Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our free interactive user forums.

    Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.

    See a list of all the medical forums

  • Causes of Muscle cramps Based on Risk Factors

    This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Muscle cramps based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:

  • Travel - has the patient travelled recently?
  • Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?

    Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Muscle cramps?

    Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Muscle cramps, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
    Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :

    Classifications of Muscle cramps:

    Subtypes of Muscle cramps:

    Hand cramps (1 cause)

    Medical Conditions associated with Muscle cramps:

    Pain (2937 causes), Muscle symptoms (2547 causes), Muscle pain (345 causes), Muscle aches (345 causes), Cramps (164 causes), Sensations (3159 causes), Aches (324 causes), Nerve symptoms (3452 causes), Common symptoms (4528 causes)

    Symptoms related to Muscle cramps:

    Muscle pain (345 causes), Muscle weakness (1930 causes), Muscle symptoms (2547 causes), Cramps (164 causes)

    Muscle cramps as a disease:

    For a more detailed analysis of Muscle cramps as a disease, please see our Disease Center information for Muscle cramps.

    Medical articles on signs and symptoms:

    Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:

    These general medical articles may be of interest:

    See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

    Medical News summaries about Muscle cramps

    Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Muscle cramps and many other medical conditions:

    Related medical articles from our Disease Center for Muscle cramps:


    More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:


     » Next page: Causes of Muscle cramps

    Medical Tools & Articles:


    Next articles:

    Tools & Services:

    Medical Articles:

    Forums & Message Boards

  • Major Disease Research

    Research
    symptoms, treatments,
    and misdiagnosis
    of major diseases.

    Multiple Symptom
    Checker

    Check one
    or many
    symptoms
     
    By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.