Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are involuntary and usually brief (from seconds to minutes) contractions, usually seen in the muscles of the hands and the muscles of the calf. They affect most cirrhotic patients at one time or another along with varying severity, and despite being a benign condition, it can significantly impair quality of life. Muscle cramps are less common in patients with liver diseases without cirrhosis. Patients with muscle cramps often have decreasing social and physical functioning, accompanied with bodily pain.
It has not been elucidated that the underlying mechanism of muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis. But according to some research, it possibly related to nerve function, electrolytes and plasma volume and energy metabolism. There is no standardized treatment for muscle cramps yet. Some wide-used treatment options including vitamin E and eperisone hydrochloride that are effective in some studies. Further researches still need to focus on the evaluation of various agents’ therapeutic efficacy.