Cramp

This is a sudden, involuntary and painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. It can occur if there is poor muscular coordination during exercise; if chilling occurs following or during exercise such as swimming; if the body loses excessive amounts of salt and body fluids through severe sweating, diarrhoea or persistent vomiting; or during sleep.

SYMPTOMS - Pain in the affected area. - Feeling of tightness or spasm in the affected muscles. AIM Relax contracted muscles and relieve pain.

TREATMENT This condition is normally relieved by strecthing the muscles. First straighten the affected part of the body then gently massage it.