Leg cramps are a relatively frequent occurrence, particularly at night. If you experience this, it will likely come on suddenly and manifest as rapid spasms or contractions of the muscles in your thighs, feet, and calves.
Leg cramps at night typically occur when you are already asleep or just as you open your eyes in the morning. The worst part of it is that the pain can occasionally be really severe and continue for several minutes. When it is gone, the muscles will be rigid and tight, and touching them or moving quickly will hurt.
You should be aware that restless leg syndrome is extremely distinct from leg cramps. Despite the fact that both of these disorders occur at night, people with restless leg syndrome feel calm when they move their legs. They will tighten up and experience more discomfort if they move.
But this phenomenon's cause has not yet been identified by scientists. But they believe that particular medical disorders may be to blame for this.
THE CAUSES FOR LEG CRAMPS
- Being exposed to low temperatures for a long period of time
- Blood circulation issues
- Thyroid disease
- Dehydration
- Specific pharmaceutical drugs.
- Kidney disease
- Injury
- Physical activity
- Muscle overload
- Lack of calcium
- Pregnancy
- Lack of Magnesium
- Lack of Potassium
If you notice that these cramps are not connected with a serious health issue, you can rely on a few different method to help yourself.
HOW TO TREAT THE CRAMPS
1. MAGNESIUM
You can use magnesium in your daily diet if you have been experiencing
cramps. You should consume seeds and nuts because they are loaded with
this nutrient. Also, consult a doctor if you want supplements.
Moreover, you can take megnesium oil and rub it on the legs before you go to bed. Just boil half a cup of distilled water and then add half a cup of magnesium chloride flakes. When it dissolves, remove it from heat and let it cool. Just store it in a spray bottle and spray five to ten times on each leg before you go to bed.
2. REMAIN ACTIVE
If you take a walk it might also help with eliminating the muscle cramps
due to the fact that this activity is easy and relaxes the muscles in
our legs. Make sure you do not stand in one position only for a long
time.
3. INCREASE WATER INTAKE
If you were not familiar with it before, dehydration is one of the
leading causes of muscle cramps. Naturally, drinking water will not
provide instant relief, however, if you drink it sufficiently daily, it
will improve your health definitely.
4. BATH BASED ON EPSOM SALT
A lot of therapists, trainers and coaches recommend people to use Epsom
salt bath so that they can eliminate the cramping. This special bath
delivers a great amount of magneisum to the skin ad the pleasantly warm
water will relax the muscles.
5. MASSAGE OR ACUPUNCTURE
Acunpuncture will relax every muscles and fix the cause of the problem.
If you are afraid of needles, you can use a massage as well. Just do the
massages and your muscles will relax.
6. STRETCHING
FIrst, relax the muscles that are cramping. Thus, do not do any physical
activity that may have triggered the cramp. Keep your muscles stretched
and rub the area gently.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A MUSCLE CRAMP
Finally, we will leave you off with a piece of advice. You can
definitely use the methods we have mentioned as prevention. However, if
the cramp happens suddenly and you are feeling paralyzed you should
follow these tips:
- Move your leg if you can or walk in the room to improve the blood circulation
- Rub the muscle for a couple of minutes
- Use blankets, sheets and clothing to provide good air flow
- Sit down on the floor and extend the legs as much as you can and flex the feet at the ankles. Make sure you extend the toes as well. Then, use the hands to drag the feet and strech the muscles gently. That is it!