Got a symptom but not sure what's causing it? Use our symptom checker to find out.

×

Looking for something?

Ask away.

Muscle cramp summary

A muscle cramp is the sudden tightening of a muscle. Muscle cramps can be painful, but usually go away in minutes. They're caused by many things, including dehydration, using the muscle a lot and staying in a specific position for a long time.

Muscle cramp

What causes leg cramps?
5 common causes of muscle cramps and how to treat them
Leg cramps

Latest articles

Cirrhosis of the liver: Symptoms, causes and treatment
Cirrhosis is when scar tissue forms in your liver after many years of damage. Learn about its symptoms, causes and treatment.
Bone cyst: Symptoms, causes and treatment
A bone cyst is a hole inside a bone that’s filled with fluid. Discover the symptoms, common causes and treatment options for bone cysts
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) causes serious brain damage. Find out about CJD’s symptoms, causes and treatment.
How antibiotics work: Types, uses and side effects
Antibiotics help fight bacterial infections, but they don’t work for viruses. Find out about what they treat, when to use them, antibiotic resistance ...
Mucormycosis: Symptoms, causes and treatment
Known as ‘black fungus’, mucormycosis is a rare, serious fungal infection. Find out about its symptoms, causes and treatment options.
Bartholin’s cyst: Symptoms, causes and treatment
A Bartholin’s cyst is a small fluid-filled lump that grows near the opening of the vagina. Discover its causes, symptoms and how to treat it at home.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is when your heart rate speeds up too much when you stand or sit up. Learn about its causes and treat...
Oedema: Symptoms, causes and treatment
Oedema – also known as dropsy – is a build-up of fluid in your body that causes swelling. Find out about its symptoms, causes and treatment.
Vaginismus: Symptoms, causes and treatment
Vaginismus is when the muscles of your vagina automatically tighten, making sex painful. Discover the common causes and the best treatment for vaginis...
Insect bites and stings: Symptoms, causes and treatment
Wondering how to treat an insect bite or sting? Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms, causes and treatment of bug bites and stings.
View all