Are Leg Cramps Pestering Your Comfort
A muscle cramp is the wretchedness of severe and intense pain.
If you have not experienced a muscle cramp as yet, at some time in your life it will happen. Sometimes it feels as if muscle cramps are holding you, hostage, especially when you experience frequent attacks.
Muscle cramps are common in adults, becoming increasingly frequent with age. However, they may be experienced at any age because even children suffer muscle cramps.
A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. The muscle may contract in a state of spasm that's forceful and sustained.
Cramps cause a noticeable physical firmness or hardening of the involved muscle. Sometimes the cramp may involve only a part of a muscle or the entire muscle. The resulting painful episode may last anywhere from a few seconds to longer periods.
Why Cramps Develop:
- Cramps are associated with vigorous use or overuse of muscles that trigger muscle fatigue
- Dehydration
- Muscle strain.
- Sitting or lying for extended periods in an awkward position.
- Repetitive use of a muscle causes muscle fatigue and cramps
- Nerve compression
- Low levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium
- Some medications or even some medical conditionsA persistent muscle spasm occurs as a natural protective mechanism following an injury, such as a broken bone.
If you notice that you always get cramps after drinking alcohol or consuming too much of it there is a reason. Alcohol increases the content of lactic acid in your body. Any excessive accumulation of lactic acid triggers cramps and pain in the muscles.
Also, excess alcohol and wine consumption dehydrate. You then lose much-needed potassium, magnesium, and sodium via urination. The cell imbalances of electrolyte and minerals lead to pain and cramps in muscles
Nocturnal or rest cramps often occur during the night, they are usually extremely painful, recur frequently and disrupts sleep. A common site of nocturnal cramps is the calf muscle other affected muscles are the back of the lower leg, thigh, and front of the thigh
Take Action to Prevent or Minimize Incidences
- Most muscle cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched.
- Standing up and walking around may help stretch the muscle to get rid of cramps in the calf, feet, and legs.
- Alleviate the cramping of calf muscles try flexing the ankle by pulling the toes up toward the ceiling with the leg as straight as possible.
- Pay attention to ergonomic factors and safety when exercising.
- Applying warm towels or a light massage help a cramped muscle relax.
- Dehydration increases the likelihood of cramps, but drinking extra fluid helps reduce dehydration and cramps.
- Limit alcohol consumption as it increases fluid loss through urinary elimination. Drink plenty of water before you going to bed to rehydrate.
Vitamin deficiency also causes muscle spasms. Talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin supplement to ensure that your body receives the necessary supply of nutrients and minerals.
Controlling the underlying cause of muscle cramps can improve your symptoms and ease spasms