Muscle sprains and cramps often occur under similar circumstances. The symptoms are typically triggered by long-term exertion or excessive stress and strain. Muscle sprains and cramps can be treated at home.
Muscle sprains
A muscle sprain is a tissue damage in a muscle ripping muscle fibres. The area of injury is painful and it may be swollen and bruised due to bleeding in the tissue. The most typical area to sustain muscle sprains are the calf, thigh, biceps or abdominal muscles, but they can affect almost any muscle of your body. A sprain or tear can also be the result of a direct impact.
Muscle cramp
Cramps can occur in a tired muscle either during exertion or afterwards. Cramps typically occur at night. Cramps are more likely if you sweat heavily or work in a hot environment. The tendency to suffer from cramps increases with age and some illnesses also predispose to cramps. However, the underlying cause can not always be found. In a cramp, the muscle suddenly contracts causing sharp pain in the contracted muscle. The muscle will soon relax but may remain sore for some time. Cramps are common in the legs but can occur anywhere.