Leg cramps during the night most often happen in the calf, feet and thighs and it can last from few seconds to few minutes.
After the leg spasm passes, muscle soreness may last longer. Both men and ladies can encounter leg spasms and they happen more frequently in grown-ups older than 50 years.
Leg cramps at night are different from restless leg syndrome
Both nighttime leg spasms and RLS happen during night. However, there are contrasts between them, including:
- – RLS does not bring about cramping and pain, while cramps do.
- – RLS is a crawling feeling in your legs.
- – RLS makes you move the legs, while cramps prevent you from moving.
- – If you move the leg in RLS, it will help – if you move the leg while having cramp, it won’t.
Risk factors and causes of night leg cramps
The correct reason for cramps is frequently not known, however, the causes and hazard components of cramps include:
- – Improper sitting
- – Over-effort of the muscles
- – Sitting for long time
- – Working or standing on concrete floors
Other conditions, as well, can add to nighttime cramps, for example,
- – Dehydration
- – Pregnancy
- – Flat feet
- – Diabetes
- – Alcoholism
- – Parkinson’s disease
- – Diuretics, statins, beta agonists
- – Neuromuscular issue
Prevention and treatment for nocturnal leg cramps
Treating cramps relies upon the cause. For example, when the reason for your nighttime cramp is because of lack of hydration, guarantee you remain hydrated for the duration of the day. Other treatment and deterrent techniques for nighttime leg spasms include:
- – Take a hot shower before going to bed to facilitate any muscle snugness.
- – Stretch your legs before sleep time.
- – Use horse chestnut, so you can expand blood stream to the legs.
- – Wear ergonomic shoes and stay away from high heels.
- – Partake in water activities to build leg muscles.
- – Apply a warming cushion to the influenced region.
- – Try acupuncture to release the muscles.
- – Make sure you are not lacking in potassium or magnesium– insufficiencies in these minerals are connected to cramps.
What to do when cramps occur
At the point when a cramp strikes, it can almost paralyze you. Knowing how to deal with an assault will offer you help and abandon you less sore later. Here are a few tips to deal with nighttime leg spasms.
- – Augment both legs out before you while sitting on the floor. Flex your feet at the lower legs and indicate your toes to your knees
- – Get up and stroll around.
- – Gently rub the range in a round movement.
- – Ensure sheets and covers are not tight to make the leg muscle contract.
- – Take 1 tbsp. of yellow mustard to mitigate distress.