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Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Possible causes of cramp include:

  • electrolyte disturbance:
    • hyponatraemia
    • hypocalcaemia
    • hypermagnesaemia
    • hypomagnesaemia (1)
    • hypo- and hyperkalaemia (1)

  • drugs:
    • nifedipine
    • salbutamol
    • terbutaline
    • diuretics
    • cimetidine
    • morphine
    • lithium
    • clofibrate
    • raloxifene
    • phenothiazines
    • penicillamine
    • ethanol
    • nicotinic acid (1)

  • neurological disorders:
    • multiple sclerosis
    • motor neurone disease
    • lumbar spine dysfunction, especially if associated with L5/S1 compression
  • hyperventilation
  • hypothyroidism
  • liver cirrhosis:
    • nocturnal cramps occur in 80% of patients
  • poisoning:
    • strychnine
    • lead
    • black widow spider bite
  • tetanus
  • varicose veins
  • sarcoidosis (1)
  • congenital disorders:
    • McArdle's disease

Cramp may also develop during pregnancy and in association with heavy bed clothes.

Peripheral vascular disease and venous obstruction do not cause cramps, but cramps may co-exist.

Reference:


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