Causes of Night Leg Cramps
By: SudbyTotal Views: 193, Word Count: 563,
Although night leg cramps are quite a common incidence, their cause is still a matter of discussion and can be the answer of different causes at a variety of times. Night leg cramps are painful, sudden, instinctive contractions of muscles in your leg. In nearly all cases, night leg cramps hold your calf muscles, but muscle in your feet or thighs may cramp as well. Pregnant women also have a higher chance of experiencing night leg cramps.
Here are described some causes of night leg cramps.
Causes of Night Leg Cramps
So far, there are a few ordinary themes, such as doing too much stretches too quickly or protracted sitting or in answer to deficiencies in diet or sure side effects of some drugs. It is also supposed that cramps can arise as a sign or side effect of certain diseases like hypoglycemia, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, or an underactive thyroid gland. Other suggested causes include problems such as poor circulation where the muscle isn’t getting a good blood supply or enough oxygen, a pinched nerve or cramping as the result of a wound.
Leg cramps can end in pretty sharp and severe pain, most often in the calf muscle as the muscle goes into uncontrollable spasm and suddenly contracts very tightly. The pain is acute, but only lasts for a short time, no more than a few minutes and at times you may be left with softness in that particular area for some time afterwards. The trouble is, when this happens often and most usually at night, it wakes you up from sleep; it can turn quite upsetting and can influence your whole day by being tired, even though the situation itself is not solemn or life frightening.
Some of the instruction drugs that seem to be related with cramping comprise water pills or diuretics, nicotinic and penicillamine acid. Deficiency in diet might contain not having sufficient potassium, magnesium or calcium which can result in an electrolyte difference, not adequate vitamin E or A, and even only not having an adequate amount of water, so becoming dehydrated.
Cures of Night Leg Cramps
Some facts recommend that a potassium shortage may cause nocturnal leg pains. Lots of sleepers have removed their cramps completely just by making sure they eat ample of potassium rich foods, some of which include:
· Apricots, nectarines, bananas, dates, grapes, or raisins
· Beans
· Cabbage/broccoli family of vegetables
· Oranges, grapefruit, and their juice
· Lamb and Pork
· Corn and potatoes
· Saltwater fish (for instance, tuna)
· Tomatoes and tomato juice
Of course, if you wake up by a leg cramp, here are some tips to ease cramps instantly:
· Use a hot compress to the cramped muscles
· Rub down the cramped muscles
· Stretch and loosen. Lie on your back in bed, raise your legs, extend them to the ceiling, and then point your toes to the top limit and bend them slowly back to your calf. Do this warm up again and stretch until the cramps stop. For an additional good stretch, capture your toes while still in this position and pull them down to your knees. You'll feel this stretch working in the back of the calf muscles.
These are some cures of night leg cramps. You can reduce it by regular exercise and with switching to a healthy diet.
About the Author
Robert Sudby has practiced as a General Physician in Cleveland for a number of years. He is retired but still likes to share fitness secrets and tips with people. You can benefit from his articles on fitness and general well being.
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