Treatment for Leg Cramps
Leg cramps and painful muscle spasms are associated with a number of causes and we will take a look at some of the main ones here?
If you wake up in the middle of the night with a sudden acute pain in your calf muscles as they suddenly go into a tight contraction that you can’t shake off then you can be sure you are suffering from nighttime leg cramps in that area. These painful leg cramps in the middle of the night can also happen in either foot or in the upper thigh area.
The exact cause of leg cramps is not yet fully understood or agreed upon, however there are some common risk factors that it is believed can contribute towards this painful condition. But with a little research and some professional advice many people have found a remedy that works for them.
When the body’s electrolytes, which are important to muscle function, are out of balance, this is often quoted as the cause of severe night leg cramps. Electrolytes are essential salts that conduct electrical activity in the body, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium and these need to be in good balance if muscles are to work well. If you take in more or if you take in less of the salts that your body needs the levels needed for healthy muscle functioning won’t be balanced with the result that painful cramps can start to appear. Muscle cramps at night have also been associated with high levels of phosphorous which is usually found in large quantities in processed food, quick snack foods and soda. Reducing the quantity of processed meats, fizzy drinks and snack foods that you consume can go a long way to addressing the problem. A good example of a natural source of potassium that is easily available is the banana.
Another possible cause of muscle spasms and cramps is exercise that is of a high intensity which is associated with muscle fatigue and consequently lower levels of calcium. In order to keep up the exercise a lot of energy needs to be expended to quickly and repeatedly expand and contract the calf, foot and thigh muscles and this energy is supplied by the nutrients obtained in your food and drink. Muscle fatigue is believed to result from depleted calcium reserves so, in this case, high intensity exercise is best supported by a diet rich in calcium.
During pregnancy, as the body is working extra hard too, along with the muscles, in holding up the increased weight as the baby grows, leg muscles can become very tired and start to cramp in the night, preventing a good night’s sleep. Before going to bed, a light calcium and potassium rich snack might go a long way to alleviating the problem and help to ensure a full and peaceful night’s sleep. A regular nightcap of bananas and milk could do wonders for those nighttime leg cramps plus a little routine of a few light leg stretches.
A longer list of other causes potentially attributed to painful leg
cramps could include, alcoholism, cirrhosis, some medications (eg Statins, diuretics), hypothyroidism, kidney problems, some heart problems, Parkinson’s and Addinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, flat feet, dehydrationand diarrhea, and as a side effect of surgery such as a gastric bypass.
With so many potential contributors towards developing leg cramps at night, aprofessional health check might be a good idea. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health practitioner for a proper diagnosis of night leg cramps and to rule out any more serious underlying condition before relying simply on home remedies and diet.
