Leg Cramps : Analyzing the Causes and Preventive Measures
5:45 pm
Oh my god! It’s 3 am. You never want to recall those deadly nights, no! it’s not your scariest nightmare we are talking about, it’s something more scary than that. The painful and irritating Leg Cramps which destroys your peaceful sleep and make you wake in the middle of the night!
Ever wondered why this becomes so intolerable that you even come out from your deepest sleep? Why does Cramps happen only in one leg the maximum time? Is it related to regular upset stomach? Let’s find out the reasons.
[ Read more about the reasons of regular upset stomach ]
What Exactly Leg Cramps Mean?
Leg cramps are also known as Night cramps or Charley Horse. It is a condition of a spasm in muscle which continues to be painful with each second passing by. It can vary between the tenure of few seconds to few minutes but sometimes prolong if not taken any preventive measures. They are the most frequent in calf and toe muscles than any other body part.
What are the Causes of Leg Cramps?
Well, there can be many causes of cramps, the major ones are listed below :-
- Dehydration - This is the most common cause of Cramps, in following a busy schedule it becomes quite difficult to have adequate amount of fluids.
- Vigorous Exercise - Playing cricket with friends on a Sunday just to relax can result in night cramp.
- Weak Physical Condition - It may be possible that a weak physical condition can be the cause of facing frequent cramps.
- Keeping the Leg in an Awkward Condition - Keeping the leg folded for some time or being in an awkward condition can also make calf muscles pain terribly.
- Side Effects of Medications - Some birth control pills can include the side effects like Leg Cramps.
- Cold Weather - Some people have the tendency to get muscles pain if the weather is cold. This is one of the possible reason.
Do these Cramps Happen during Pregnancy Too?
Yes, in fact during pregnancy these cramps are more often, doctors say lack of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous are the basic causes of the cramps but some blame the body weight which is difficult to carry at the time of pregnancy. Another factor can be the diet! Yes, carrying an unborn creature in your belly needs a healthy diet and if it’s not right you would probably face trouble.
What are the Preventive Measures?
To deal with the cramps at the moment one can shake his leg while sitting on the bed, he can pull the fingers of the leg in front direction to avoid further pain, one can even simply walk on the floor for a couple of minutes or have a glass of water.
In the long run if you wish to make the cramps less frequent some preventive measures can be taken :-
- Have lot’s of water
- Eat vitamin and calcium rich food
- Keep your physical activities the first priority
- Include stretching in your daily schedule
- Apply icepack on your calf muscles
If the pain persist for a long time and a need of taking a painkiller occurs, start watching to your daily habits which need to be changed or consult the physician in case the cramps becomes more frequent.
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