• Question: Why do we get cramps?

    Asked by Resh@science to Chris, Hayley, Jimi on 17 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Jimi Wills

      Jimi Wills answered on 17 Mar 2016:

      Cramps are involutary tightening or spasm of muscles. The causes vary, and are sometimes unknown, but can include:

      dehydration
      low blood sugar
      high blood sugar
      low blood oxygen level
      poor blood suppy
      drugs
      salt imbalance

    • Photo: Hayley Moulding

      Hayley Moulding answered on 17 Mar 2016:

      We get cramps for lots and lots of reasons. Usually because we have some chemicals in our muscles that we don’t want there. You know when we go for a run and it starts to hurt, our muscles are screaming ‘NO!’ They need more oxygen, more blood to them, maybe we need some more sugar and some more water too.

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