Photo: Nick Anderson of Greenville, N.C., left, his father Rick Anderson and stepbrother Jeramie Mullis pose with the 143-pound blue catfish caught Saturday in Virginia in Buggs Island Lake, also known as the Kerr Reservoir. The previous world record was a 130-pounder caught in the Missouri River last year.
A muscle cramp is a strong, painful contraction or tightening of a muscle that comes on suddenly and lasts from a few seconds to several minutes. It often occurs in the legs. A muscle cramp is also called a charley horse. Nighttime leg cramps are usually sudden spasms, or tightening, of muscles in the calf.
Muscle spasms, cramps or twitches are involuntary and sometimes painful movements or contractions of the muscles within the body. They can occur if a muscle is overused, such as during exercise, and if you are dehydrated. Low levels of potassium and calcium can also cause muscle spasms. Muscle spasms can also result from alcoholism, hypothyroidism, kidney failure and certain drugs and medications, including caffeine. Muscle spasms and cramps can usually be relieved by stretching your muscle and increasing your fluid intake.