Pain from cramps may also range in intensity, from no pain to agonizing pain, and can include pain that reoccurs or pain that lasts from a few seconds to 15 minutes or more.
Causes can include muscle injury or impairment and typical muscle function.
This article will discuss the possible causes of hand cramps and their treatments. It will also explain how to prevent cramps and answer some frequently asked questions.
Overuse or injury
You may experience cramps due to fatigue, overuse, or injury of the muscles in the hands. This can include conditions from acute injuries, such as tendonitis and repetitive strain injury.
However, some of these conditions can also have other causes. For example, tendonitis can also be a secondary effect of some conditions and medications.
Habits that may cause injury or overuse include:
- an increase or change in activity or use of the hands, for example, due to an increase of time using tools
- intense activities
- repetitive movements or repeating activity over a long-term period
- poor posture or positioning
- other injuries
Treatment
If your cramp is due to an increase or change in the activity of the hands, you may be able to improve or resolve your symptoms with self-management and avoiding the trigger activity.
Self-care methods can include:
- taking breaks
- reducing any activities that trigger the pain or cramp
- wearing hand supports or braces
- using exercises to stretch and strengthen the hands and maintain mobility
- applying a warm compress
A physiotherapist can help to massage the affected area and recommend exercises to strengthen your muscles.
Depending on the cause and severity of your injury or condition, clinicians can offer treatments such as steroid injections or rarely surgery.
Electrolyte imbalances
Electrolytes are minerals the body needs to maintain healthy function. Having low levels of electrolytes can cause muscle spasms. For example, having a low calcium level
As a result, factors that lead to an electrolyte imbalance may cause feelings of cramps. These factors include:
- dehydration
- excessive sweating
- hot weather
- illness
- malnutrition
It is important to note that mild dehydration should not cause cramping, but cramps may instead occur due to severe cases, such as severe dehydration or malnutrition.
Treatment
Mild dehydration and electrolyte imbalances may be treatable with over-the-counter (OTC) sports drinks or rehydration products.
More severe cases of dehydration may require urgent clinical attention. A clinician may provide IV solutions.
Also, specific nutrient deficiencies may be treatable with dietary changes or OTC vitamins and minerals. Contact a doctor or a pharmacist for more advice on what products and dietary patterns may be safe and effective for you.
Learn more about dehydration and examples of severe symptoms.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease can cause electrolyte imbalances. This is because the kidneys are responsible for processing electrolytes.
As a result, different types of kidney disease can cause low levels of electrolytes in the body, leading to muscle cramping.
Some causes of kidney disease include:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- lupus
- genetic disorders
- infection
- certain medications
- autoimmune conditions
- poisoning
Treatment
The treatment for kidney disease causing cramping in the hands will depend on the exact condition affecting kidney function. Still, general treatments can include a combination of self-management techniques and clinical treatments, such as:
- lifestyle changes, such as:
- medication to address any secondary effects or symptoms
- in severe cases, dialysis or kidney transplant
Diabetes
Muscle cramps can be common for those who experience type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause nerve damage that may lead to feelings of cramps or pain.
Treatment
Treatment options for diabetes vary depending on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes can take insulin to help control their blood glucose levels. Those with type 2 diabetes may be able to control blood glucose levels with lifestyle changes or medications.
Effective treatment and management of diabetes can help reduce the risk of complications and nerve damage, which may lead to secondary pain or cramps.
Neurological conditions and nerve damage
Some neurological conditions may result in muscle cramps. This is because neurological disease can affect the nerves that control and coordinate the muscles.
Examples of conditions that may cause muscle cramping, spasms, or pain include:
- muscular dystrophy
- myasthenia gravis
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- ataxia
- Parkinson’s disease
- dystonia
Hand dystonia or “writer’s cramp” refers to excessive involuntary muscle contractions or spasms in the hand and other locations such as the fingers, forearm, and sometimes shoulders.
Clinicians believe this happens because of inaccurate signals from the nervous system that lead the muscles to contract, usually when a person is carrying out an activity that uses motor coordination of the hand and arms.
Hand dystonia can occur without any identifiable cause but may also result from injury or neurological damage.
Treatment
Treatment for neurological causes of hand cramps will depend on the condition, your symptoms, and other individual factors.
Symptoms of dystonia may alleviate after avoiding any movement that triggers an episode of cramps.
Arthritis
Many kinds of arthritis can have many varying symptoms. Some types of arthritis can cause muscle pain.
A person with arthritis may also experience muscle aching or weakness if they avoid moving due to pain or discomfort. Also, some types of arthritis can cause nerve damage that may lead to muscle pain or cramps.
Treatment
There is no cure for arthritis, but individualized treatment options may help alleviate your symptoms and slow any progression.
Clinical options can include medications, physical therapy, and surgery, while lifestyle factors such as regular exercise may also be beneficial.
Additional causes
Cramps can be the result of many causes. Additional factors that may contribute to experiencing cramps include:
- hyperventilation
- side effects of certain medications
- pregnancy
- getting dialysis
- vitamin D deficiency
- underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
When to seek medical help
While some causes of muscle cramps can be expected or benign, such as pregnancy, other causes may present a risk to health and require clinical treatment.
Contact a doctor for any new, persistent, or reoccurring symptoms of cramps. Also, seek medical help for symptoms that do not improve with self-management and OTC care.
How are hand cramps prevented?
You may be unable to prevent all causes of cramping in the hands.
However, you may be able to reduce the risk of experiencing cramps in the hands by reducing the risk factors for certain conditions by maintaining general health. Tips for
- eating a balanced diet
- stopping smoking
- reducing alcohol intake and the intake of stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine
- exercising regularly
- taking medication exactly as prescribed
- contacting your doctor promptly for any new or persistent symptoms
Also, if you experience cramps in the hands due to a routine activity, consider adapting the routine to include more variety of movement or breaks, where possible. This may help to prevent episodes of cramps.
Frequently asked questions
Angela M. Bell, MD, FACP, has reviewed the following frequently asked questions.
Can hand cramps be a sign of something serious?
Cramping in the hands can have both relatively mild and serious causes. Serious causes include permanent injury, neurological conditions, and kidney disease.
If you experience reoccurring hand cramps or hand cramps alongside other symptoms, contact your doctor.
What are the best vitamins for hand cramps?
Cramping in the hands can be the result of having low levels of vitamin D or minerals called electrolytes. If this is the cause of your hand cramps, OTC vitamin or mineral supplements may be beneficial to you.
However, if you are experiencing cramps, contact your doctor before self-treating with supplements as you may need a blood test to check whether vitamin deficiency is the underlying cause. This can also help determine the most appropriate dose of vitamins for you.
OTC products may not be beneficial if your hand cramps are the result of a different condition.
What does it mean when fingers cramp up?
Cramps in the hands or fingers can have many causes, such as:
- vitamin deficiency or electrolyte depletion
- overuse or repetitive strain
- injury
- nerve damage
Contact your doctor regarding any symptoms of cramps for an individual diagnosis.
Summary
Hand cramps can occur due to many reasons, including mild and serious causes. Reasons for experiencing cramps in the hands can include a lack of vitamins or electrolytes, injury or nerve damage, and chronic diseases such as kidney conditions or arthritis.
Treatment options will vary depending on the underlying cause of the cramp but can range from muscle stretching, medication, and surgery.
Contact your doctor for treatment regarding any new or persistent cramps or changes to hand function.
