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We all know that long term hemodialysis will cause many side effects and complications. Muscle cramp usually occurs in the latter stage of hemodialysis.
Once muscle cramp occurs, the first step is to find out the cause and then take proper and timely measures and prevent its recurrence.
It is very crucial to find out the inducing factor of muscle cramp. The main reason of muscle cramp is reduced blood perfusion in the muscle due to low blood pressure, low blood volume, fast ultrafiltration the use of low-sodium dialysate. Besides the disorder and imbalances of electrolyte and acid-base such as low magnesium acidosis, hypocalcaemia and hypokalemia can all cause muscle cramp.
What are the treatments for muscle cramp in dialysis?
Based on what the inducing factor is, the infusion of saline, hypertonic glucose and mannitol can be used. Massage can also help alleviate the muscle cramp.
What are the preventions of muscle cramp?
1. Prevent low blood pressure and too much weight gain which should be less than 5% of the dry weight.
2. Moderate increase of the dialysate concentration. But more attention should be paid to the blood pressure and weight gain.
3. Have timely and proper rectification of the electrolyte disorders.
4. Encourage patients to strength muscle exercises.
Since low blood calcium will cause muscle cramp, it is recommended that patients should have moderate supple of calcium in their daily diets.
At the same time of dialysis, patients can try some Chinese therapies such as massage, acupuncture and herbal medicines which can help promote blood circulation and alleviate ischemia and hypoxia in the kidneys. What is more, herbal medicines can help relieve the side effects and complications of long term dialysis, lengthen the intervals between dialysis and reduce the frequency of dialysis. And if patients can get rid of dialysis or at least have less dialysis, the muscle cramp will be less.
