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Cramps - muscle
Muscle cramps are involuntary and often painful contractions (movements) of the muscles.
Muscle cramps are common and may be stopped by stretching the muscle. The cramping muscle may feel hard or bulging.
Muscle spasms are different than muscle twitches, which are covered in a separate article.
Muscle spasms can cause cramps and are usually brought on by the following:
Skorecki K, Ausiello J. Disorders of Sodium and Water Homeostasis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 117.
Molitoris B. Acute Kidney Injury. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 121.
Barohn R. Muscle Diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 447.