intermittent cramp
Noun: A clinical neurological syndrome characterized by episodes of muscular twitching, cramps, and, in severe cases, seizures. This condition is associated with calcium deficiency (often due to hypoparathyroidism), vitamin D deficiency, or alkalosis.
This is a medical term used to describe a specific set of symptoms and their underlying causes. It is primarily used in clinical, diagnostic, and academic contexts. - The patient was diagnosed with intermittent cramp secondary to post-surgical hypoparathyroidism. - A key feature of intermittent cramp is the episodic nature of the muscular contractions.
- The term is often used interchangeably with tetany, which describes the same symptom complex. However, "intermittent cramp" can emphasize the sporadic, recurring nature of the cramps.
- In medical documentation, it may be referenced as a sign of metabolic imbalance.
- Tetany (n): The more common clinical term for the same syndrome of neuromuscular irritability, characterized by cramps, spasms, and tingling, often caused by low calcium.
- Carpopedal spasm (n): A specific manifestation of tetany/intermittent cramp affecting the hands and feet.
- Tetany
- Muscular cramping syndrome (descriptive, not a formal term)
This term specifically refers to the syndrome of symptoms (cramps, twitching) and is not used to describe a single, isolated muscle cramp. The word "intermittent" is a key part of the term, indicating the symptoms come and go in episodes.
- clinical neurological syndrome characterized by muscular twitching and cramps and (when severe) seizures; associated with calcium deficiency (hypoparathyroidism) or vitamin D deficiency or alkalosis