What distinguishes the spasm from cramp?

Neurologist Dr. Doping tells about the differences between the two types of muscle contraction, and their causes.

Spasms and cramps are a concept that describes the process of muscle contraction. The medicine made conditional division of the terms under which a spasm - it is a one-time reduction of muscles of different duration. Spasms may occur as a result of hypothermia, muscle overload, injury, inflammation in the surrounding tissues, intoxication. When muscle spasm occurs in humans sudden pain.

Convulsions is a set of spasms that occur within any disease. For example, an epileptic syndrome sometimes appears so-called tonic-clonic seizures, is a set of stereotypical muscle contractions. Convulsions can also occur due to electrolyte disorders which lead to the possibility of muscle contraction. For example, this situation may occur when the muscle overload.

To avoid spasm and convulsion – use Meldonium, Papaverine hydrochloride 10 vials, Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) injection, Vinpotropile.

The mechanism of occurrence of spasms and cramps associated with the mechanism of functioning of the muscle tissue itself. Muscle tissue is composed of a set of threads - actin and myosin filaments, which are interconnected by so-called bridges. Muscles spasms when actin and myosin filaments differ among themselves in an extended position. The shortened version includes these yarns into one another, having stable connection between them. To break these bonds requires significant amounts of energy, in which the length of the muscle is reduced. Separation of actin and myosin muscle - a process that takes more energy than their connection. To muscles relax, you need energy-intensive biochemical process. When muscle spasm is in the state if not physiological, biochemical and energetic but calm. This state requires less energy than the state of relaxation, or vice versa, the state of contraction.

When we talk about the seizures, we often use set phrases. For example, There is a phrase "leg cramp" when it comes to the calf muscle. But in fact, such a state of muscle contraction - is the same muscle spasm. The mechanism of muscle contraction is always the same. But the mechanisms that cause this muscle contraction, different. If we are talking about a convulsive disorder, it can be held with the participation of the central nervous system.

Muscle contraction - is the final process, which we call a cramp or spasm. This process may result from different states, the main ones are the primary muscle processes associated with trauma to, hypothermia, muscle overload, which may end in a spasm. Electrolyte disturbances can also lead to cramps. Central nervous system disorders within epi-syndrome may also exhibit seizures, ie a set of spasms.