Muscle cramps and vitamin deficiency or mineral deficiency are often related. Magnesium, vitamin supplement and electrolyte replacement can all help.

Hamstring cramps hurt and can halt your activity. Know what to do when your muscle cramps so you can get back in the game.

Muscle pain can stop you in your tracks. But is it a cramp or a pulled muscle that's bothering you? Though the terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing.

Leg cramps from running are typically caused by overuse, muscle strain or dehydration. Running too far too quickly and without sufficient training or warming up can quickly lead to thigh and calf cramps.

Leg cramps are caused by involuntary muscle spasms and can cause sudden pain or discomfort in one or both legs. They can be a result of various factors such as dehydration, pregnancy, low blood sugar or low potassium levels. You can use a variety of techniques to prevent leg cramps when sitting at work.

Mussels, sometimes called "the poor man's oyster," feature glossy dark blue shells and delicately flavored flesh. Rich in protein and minerals and high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, mussels can be a healthful dietary choice. However, not everyone can or should eat them.

Muscle cramping can feel as if your muscle is tightening involuntarily. This often-painful condition can result from extreme muscle fatigue or lost minerals in the body that affect your muscle functions. Muscle cramps are most common in the calf muscle, back of the thigh and front of the thigh.

While many people don’t get enough magnesium in their diet, it’s uncommon to suffer from a true deficiency in magnesium — also known as hypomagnesemia. This isn’t to say that this condition doesn’t occur, but it’s rare.

Muscle cramps are the result of low sodium levels in your body, and several factors can influence the development. The type of fluids you consume prior to and during exercise is important, and heat can also affect your body's internal health.

Observers and participants alike frequently consume beer during and after sporting events. In fact, beer is sometimes more readily available than water, providing thirsty athletes with a much-desired source of fluids. However, athletes and observers should both exercise discretion when consuming alcoholic beverages.

Leg cramps can intrude on your deep sleep, jolting you out of bed with an intense, sharp pain. When you become dehydrated or have an electrolyte imbalance, your risk of leg cramps increases. Dehydration results from not drinking enough fluid, sweating profusely, working outdoors in the heat and from stomach illnesses.

Muscle cramps are a common occurrence in both novice and seasoned athletes. The exact mechanism that triggers a cramp is not clear, but several conditions have been pointed out as likely culprits, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and muscle fatigue.