How to treat leg cramps. Cramps legs - muscle spasm and why it is dangerous

In medicine, tonic muscle spasms are distinguished, characterized by prolonged muscle tension, and clonic - short-term contractions alternating with relaxation. Leg cramps are in the first category, occurring in the feet and calf muscles. Spasms of the lower extremities are accompanied by sharp, painful sensations of petrification of a part of the body, appear suddenly, the pain syndrome lasts from 2 to 5 minutes, and disappears only after muscle relaxation.

Causes of leg cramps:

Lack of vitamins and minerals- magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin Dresponsible for the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles. The lack of micro and macro elements can be caused by an unbalanced diet, an excess of harmful substances (nicotine, caffeine, tannin, sugar), a protein diet, and taking medications that prevent their absorption.
Dehydration. With active sweating, there is a significant loss of trace elements that ensure the healthy functioning of the muscles. Therefore, it is so important to drink up to 2.5 liters of water per day, especially during the hot summer season and during active sports.
Temperature changes. Hypothermia during swimming or in the cold causes a sharp contraction of the muscles of the limbs, the appearance of muscle cramps. Therefore, it is important to monitor body temperature, to prevent temperature drops of up to 10 degrees.
Diseases. Incorrect metabolism, vascular disease, limb injuries are a common cause of muscle cramps. To eliminate spasms, consult with a specialist (endocrinologist, neuropathologist, phlebologist, orthopedist), undergo the prescribed treatment.
Stress. During emotional stress, a nervous breakdown, an intense load occurs on the entire human body, primarily on the nerve endings responsible for contractions of the muscles of the body. An excess of the stress hormone ( cortisol) leads to an imbalance of micro and macro elements, leads to a lack of calcium in the body, which is necessary for healthy functioning, muscle tension and relaxation.

muscle cramps

Muscle cramps in the legs seize due to a violation of the transmission of a nerve impulse to the muscle for relaxation. These spasms affect the muscles of the lower leg, front and back of the thigh. The intensity of the cramp can vary from a slight twitch to a significant contraction accompanied by severe pain.

Toe cramps are a syndrome of metabolic disorders or diseases of a different nature. Occur in diseases of the joints, venous insufficiency, atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower limb, diabetes. It can be observed in people whose activities are associated with a long stay on their feet, long walking in uncomfortable shoes.

feet

Spasms of the muscles of the feet are associated with the presence of flat feet or neurological disorders. If you often experience cramps in the area of the feet, consult an orthopedist or neurologist for advice. Refusing to wear uncomfortable shoes, reducing the intensity of the load on the lower extremities, taking vitamins and trace elements that help normalize the functioning of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system helps to reduce the number of attacks.

What happens with leg cramps?

In most cases, the lower limbs are reduced in the area of the feet and legs during rest or at night. The duration of the attack varies from a few seconds to 5-10 minutes. In the muscles after this, weakness or increased sensitivity persists for a long period.

During a spasm, a person feels a sharp pain. It differs in the nature of the flow and sensations. Initially, a pulling sensation occurs in the feet or lower legs. After that, the muscles of the legs harden and turn into a lump. Similar sensations occur in the thumb, the patient observes how it sticks out, and the place under the fingers is constricted by spasm.

Spasms are of the following types:

Clonic - short-term contraction and relaxation of certain muscle groups, similar to a nervous tic.
Tonic - local muscle spasm, accompanied by hardening and severe pain.
Generalized - one of the most dangerous types of spasm, can cause pain shock and loss of consciousness against the background of contraction of all muscle groups.

If he suddenly brings his leg down, a person cannot suppress this process by an effort of will. He usually takes a sitting position to reduce the load and control the pain a little.

It takes time and finger pressure to restore limb function. If the spasm manifests itself in the legs at night, then the patient in most cases wakes up and tries to massage.

In pregnant women and the elderly, the development of spasms is attributed to a physiological disorder, which is associated with a change in blood circulation.

dehydration of the body;
taking certain medications;
alcohol abuse;
vein diseases;
hypothermia;
lack of certain elements in the body;
wearing shoes with heels;
heavy sports and physical activity.

Why often cramps legs at night

The main cause of nocturnal muscle cramps is slowed blood circulation, which reduces the absorption of nutrients necessary for the muscles, and an uncomfortable position during sleep. With frequent nocturnal spasmolytic attacks, increase in the diet foods with a high content of calcium, potassium, magnesium. Eat buckwheat and oatmeal, lentils, legumes, dried fruits, nuts, sea kale, sour-milk products more often.

To improve the blood vessels and circulatory system, reduce or completely abandon nicotine, caffeine, and sugar. Reduce the amount of animal protein you consume by opting for lean poultry. Spend more time outdoors, combining leisurely walks with a little physical activity on the muscles of the body. Pay close attention to the quality of your sleep. A comfortable bed with an orthopedic mattress will help you reduce the number of muscle cramps at night.

How to provide first aid?

Emergency care for leg cramps is not a method of treatment if the cause of their occurrence is serious chronic diseases. It is possible to completely get rid of the spasm only after proper therapy. Recommendations for the elimination of cramps in the limbs are necessary for the rapid smoothing of symptoms and the restoration of motor activity. Many people wonder what to do with leg cramps, but cannot find useful information.

Some people experience a spasm within seconds. First aid for impending leg cramps - maximum relaxation.
During a spasm, the fingers pull towards the leg for a few seconds, then weaken the movement and repeat the exercise. It can be done multiple times.
If the leg is cramping for several minutes, you need to give the muscle additional blood circulation by walking. The foot should feel a hard surface - a cool floor or tile.

Well eliminates painful cramps with a light massage. Any warming gel will help to enhance the effect.
In emergency cases and strong muscle contraction, pinching or a slight prick with a needle will help.
After removing the spasm, be sure to take a sitting or lying position so that the legs are above the level of the navel. This will quickly increase and stabilize blood flow to the extremities.

Often a completely healthy person suffers from cramps at night. Sometimes they can be repeated several times a night. The reason lies in the uncomfortable position that he takes. What to do with such a cramp in the legs?

You can keep blood circulation normal with the help of improvised means. Gradually, a person will get used to this position, and will not roll over uncontrollably in a dream. The blood does not circulate well if the legs remain in a crossed position or they are strongly pressed to the chest. In this case, it is recommended to sleep relaxed on your back with your legs slightly apart. To maintain the position, you can put a special long roller between your legs or a pillow.

The best blood circulation is ensured when a gentle elevation is made under the calves. If sleep on the side cannot be changed, it is recommended to use a special mattress that is made for pregnant women. It is sewn in such a way that sleeping on the side is comfortable, and at the same time, no part of the body is subjected to compression or squeezing.

Special exercises are an excellent first aid for leg cramps at home. Muscle training is not carried out during an attack. After a spasm, you need to wait a few hours. Effective gymnastics, in which compression and relaxation are used.

To eliminate stagnant processes, various effects are made by hands - vibration, compression, stretching, tingling, warming up. With the help of daily self-massage, the number of spasms can be reduced.

When it brings the leg together, the muscle gets stressed. Putting too much pressure on her is dangerous. For some time, the limbs need rest. Usually, convulsions cause nervous tension in a person, the sensation of spasm leads to severe discomfort. After an attack, you can sit in a chair or lie down.

There are several ways to provide first aid for muscle cramps:

conduct a session of intensive massage of the affected area;
try to stretch the tense muscle:

calf, foot muscles - sitting, straighten the limbs, grasp the big toes with your hands, pull towards you;
front of the thigh - stand up straight, bend the affected leg at the knee, grab the ankle with both hands, pull the foot to the buttocks;
the back of the thigh - stand up straight, put the leg with the affected muscles forward one step, put it on the heel, bend the healthy one at the knee, lean on it with your hands, gently start stretching the patient, pulling the pelvis back, as if trying to take off the patient’s shoe;

make a cold compress.

Use these methods to relieve the main pain syndrome during a cramp. They help to relax a tense muscle, increase blood flow in the legs, and reduce pain. After eliminating the main pain, ensure good blood flow in the affected area: lie on your back, put a pillow under your legs so that the limbs are at an angle of 60 degrees, try to relax as much as possible. Stay in this position until all pain from muscle cramps has gone.

How to prevent seizures?

Muscle spasms will appear less frequently if preventive measures are taken.

Hard physical labor and intense sports should be abandoned for a while. This will help restore muscle functionality.

Such prevention includes individual selection of nutrition in accordance with age, general health and weight. Many complex metabolic and chemical reactions involve vitamins b and d, which are better absorbed in vitamin complexes.

Rescuer of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Krasnodar Territory

Muscle cramps during pregnancy can be caused by many reasons: from a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism to a variety of complications caused by circulatory problems. If you often experience leg cramps during pregnancy, it is important to identify and address the cause of your muscle cramps in consultation with your healthcare professional.

Consider the main prerequisites for the development of muscle cramps in pregnant women:

lack of B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, potassium;
decrease in hemoglobin (anemia);
increase in blood sugar levels;
vascular disease, varicose veins;
violation of the venous outflow in the legs;
excess caffeine;
sedentary lifestyle.

A balanced diet, additional vitamin complexes, moderate physical activity will help to avoid muscle cramps during pregnancy. If the attacks are often repeated, do not disappear, then this is an additional reason to seek advice from your doctor. Timely treatment, correct diagnosis help to remove spasmolytic attacks, prevent negative consequences from muscle cramps during pregnancy.

Treating leg cramps

Medicines

If your leg is cramped, what should you do? What remedies can eliminate unpleasant stiffness?

After an attack, it is recommended to take an antispasmodic. The safest drug will be on herbs (No-shpa). It will relax the muscles as much as possible, eliminate pain. After taking the pill, the lower leg or foot is rubbed with an anti-inflammatory ointment, gels from sprains can be used.

Folk remedies

To prevent leg cramps, traditional medicine recipes are used. Baths that are made with the addition of horse chestnut infusion, lemon juice, bay leaf decoction and celandine are very effective.

Rubbing is made from yarrow, which is successfully used by patients with neuralgia. In 200 ml of vodka, 30 grams of dry grass are infused for about 10 days. Home remedy well eliminates the symptoms after severe spasms.

A set of exercises

Stand on your toes and strongly tighten your calves, then sharply relax them and lower them to the floor of the foot (repeat 5-6 times).
Lie on your back, raise your legs and bend at the knees, keep parallel to the floor for several minutes, then take the starting position.
Intensive walking for 3 minutes, then the legs are lowered into a warm bath or pool.

A set of exercises.

The appearance of spasm in muscle tissue is associated with a lack of calcium and magnesium. These two elements are responsible for the reaction of the nervous system. They are complexly used to treat neurosis, neuralgia and neuritis. The diet should be enriched with these elements. They are found in large quantities in nuts, buckwheat and spinach.

The main task of the preventive treatment of muscle cramps outside of spasmolytic attacks is to improve the condition of the vessels and the circulatory system. Review your diet by enriching the diet with essential vitamins, micro- and macroelements, giving up unhealthy, unhealthy foods. Reduce or completely eliminate alcoholic beverages, fast food, industrially processed foods, excessively salty and sweet foods, carbonated drinks from the diet. Give up smoking.

To prevent the treatment of muscle cramps, do not allow dehydration. Drink during the day 2 - 3 liters of liquids in the form of drinking water without gas, green tea, fresh juices, natural fruit drinks, homemade compotes. Reduce the amount of coffee, black tea consumed. These drinks have a diuretic effect, so in addition to water, useful trace elements will be washed out of the body.

To reduce the likelihood of muscle cramps, play sports or other active activities that will help restore blood circulation in the legs after sedentary work, improve blood flow to the lower body. Before going to bed, it is advisable to do daily stretching exercises, yoga, Pilates, which will relieve stress and tension, stretch tired muscles. A good prevention against night cramps is a warm shower or bath with aromatic oils: roses, lavender, mint, ylang-ylang.

Based on the diagnosis, for the treatment and prevention of muscle cramps, drugs of various activities are used: correcting metabolism, improving the condition of blood vessels and the circulatory system, helping to recover from injuries. Additionally, complexes of vitamins, microelements are prescribed, which replenish substances important for the body. It is important to remember that it is necessary to use tablets for the medical treatment of muscle cramps only after consulting a doctor.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for muscle cramps help reduce the number and frequency of spasms, reduce pain during an attack, improve blood circulation in the limbs, and increase the elasticity of the vascular system. The use of folk methods is a good prevention and addition to the main treatment regimen for painful muscle cramps prescribed by a doctor.

Popular treatments for seizures include:

cold compresses with lemon juice on the feet, 2 times a day for 2 weeks;
oil based on bay leaf, used during self-massage with muscle spasm;
put an ordinary magnet on a cramped muscle group, after 1 minute the attack will pass;
a compress for the night for 1 week: a horseradish leaf smeared with honey, sprinkled with salt is applied to the sore spot, wrapped with a cotton towel on top;
ointment based on celandine: mix the juice of the plant with petroleum jelly, rub the problem parts of the body before going to bed for 2 weeks;
daily self-massage of the feet with mustard oil.

Physiotherapy

A special set of exercises will help you from cramps in the limbs. Performing therapeutic exercises promotes better vein patency, develops and improves muscle mass, promotes muscle contraction / relaxation training, strengthens ligaments and joints, relieves stress and emotional tension.

A complex of therapeutic exercises for muscle cramps:

standing position:

circular rotations of each foot in different directions, 30 times;
rolls from toe to heel, 30-50 times;
rise on toes and sharply lower the heel, 30 times;
swing legs in different directions, 20 times.

in the supine position:

rotate your legs, imitating cycling;
alternate swings with limbs, 30-40 times;
swing legs crosswise, 20 times

Constantly performing simple exercises of therapeutic exercises 1-2 times a day, you will get rid of cramps in the muscles of the limbs, feet and fingers. After completing the complex, take a hot bath with the addition of salt and aromatic oils that improve blood circulation, dilate blood vessels and relax muscles: basil, eucalyptus, sage, geranium, lavender, mandarin, sandalwood, neroli.

Most often, the legs occur in both adults and children. In most cases, with mild single spasms, massage and stretching of the muscle helps. But if the pathology appears frequently, it is better to consult a doctor. After all, regular cramps are necessarily evidence of problems in the body. And although they generally do not last longer than a minute and do not cause much discomfort, such a condition requires special treatment. Leg cramp pills are often prescribed, which act on the causes of the pathology and prevent spasms.

The mechanism of seizures

Muscle contractions are controlled by nerve impulses. The work of skeletal muscles is subject to the brain and is an arbitrary process. But sometimes they can contract involuntarily, which is called a cramp. In this case, the muscle tenses for a while, usually from a few seconds to several minutes. It becomes hard, there is a sharp pain. At the same time, movement in this area of \u200b\u200bthe body is limited.

Most often, cramps occur in the calves of the legs, in the feet, the femoral muscle, or the hands. There may be spasms of the facial muscles, less often - the muscles of the body. Such single muscle contractions are called tonic convulsions. They are not dangerous and can occur to anyone. In contrast, clonic convulsions, or generalized spasms of most of the muscles of the body, are a serious pathology. They occur only in severe diseases, such as epilepsy or tetanus.

Tonic convulsions occur due to disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses. This can happen due to pathologies of the nervous system, hormonal disruptions. But most often the cause of seizures is a violation of the electrolyte composition of the blood. After all, it is the minerals contained in it that ensure the normal functioning of the muscles. In order for them to contract and relax normally, they must be provided with magnesium, potassium, and calcium. In addition, a sufficient blood supply is needed to remove metabolic products. That is why leg cramps most often occur at night, when blood circulation slows down.

What causes spasms

Doctors consider the lack of minerals in the blood to be the main cause of tonic convulsions. This leads to disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles. That is why so often there are cramps in the legs in pregnant women. After all, the microelements in their body are almost all spent on the needs of the child. A lack of essential minerals can also occur with dehydration or certain medications.

Another common cause of cramps in the calves of the legs is a violation of blood circulation. Varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis and other pathologies cause congestion and lack of nutrients in the muscles.

In addition, leg cramps can occur for the following reasons:

How to treat leg cramps

When a spasm has already arisen, it makes no sense to drink any pills. The cramp rarely lasts longer than 2 minutes, so it will stop on its own before the medication starts to work. In this case, urgent measures are needed. For example, rubbing a muscle, stretching it, a hot compress. Tablets for leg cramps are needed when they are repeated more than once a week or cause severe pain.

Only well-chosen treatment can save the patient from pathology. Usually, drugs are used in combination with other means: massage, gymnastics, ointments. The duration of treatment is determined individually, but usually it is not more than 2-3 months. Only in the epileptic syndrome is lifelong therapy necessary.

Drugs used for seizures

With such a problem, rarely anyone goes to the doctor. People try to get rid of it on their own. And when they come to the pharmacy, they ask for anticonvulsant pills. But drugs with such an effect are used for epilepsy. They won't work for leg cramps. Tablets in this case are not used special, but those that eliminate the cause of the violation of muscle contractions. Therefore, it is better to still be examined by a doctor and find out why convulsions appear. After all, inappropriate drugs can only aggravate the situation.

Modern medicine is still exploring the question of how to treat leg cramps. There is no medicine that will get rid of them. Therefore, doctors often prescribe complex therapy. The following groups of drugs are used:

Are painkillers needed?

Seizures can cause severe pain. But they last no more than two minutes, so during the spasm itself it makes no sense to drink painkillers. But such drugs can be prescribed in complex therapy for frequently recurring spasms. Usually used "Analgin" or "Paracetamol". They have a moderate analgesic effect.

A commonly used drug is Aspirin. Acetylsalicylic acid has the ability to thin the blood and improve blood circulation, so that the drug has not only an analgesic effect. Therefore, in the complex treatment of seizures, it is often prescribed.

Why are vitamins needed?

The composition of multivitamins includes all the trace elements necessary for the normal functioning of muscle tissue. Most often, seizures occur with a lack of magnesium, potassium and calcium. Therefore, the most common means are preparations containing only these trace elements.

Venotonic drugs

In patients with varicose veins, leg cramps at night are common. This is due to lack of blood circulation in the muscles and congestion. To eliminate such violations, various venoprotective agents are prescribed.

"Asparkam": application

In many cases, especially for leg cramps in the elderly, doctors recommend that patients take potassium and magnesium supplements. The most common of them is Asparkam. This preparation contains in the correct dosage magnesium and potassium, the lack of which is often the cause of convulsions. A doctor should prescribe this remedy, since it is necessary to take into account the level of these microelements in the blood. Useful "Asparkam" for heart disease, circulatory disorders, shock and convulsions.

It is necessary to take the drug for at least a month. Most often it is recommended to drink a tablet three times a day. Usually Asparkam is well tolerated, but sometimes nausea and abdominal pain may occur. This drug is contraindicated in violations of the kidneys. But "Asparkam" is often prescribed even to children and the elderly. Sometimes the drug is used by athletes during prolonged physical exertion.

"Magnerot": instruction

To compensate for the lack of magnesium, you need to drink special preparations for at least 1-2 months. But a person feels relief after a few days - the convulsions stop. One of the best means for this is Magnerot. The instruction notes that it should be taken in violation of the heart rhythm and muscle spasms. It contains magnesium orotate dihydrate and auxiliary components.

The drug is well tolerated, but it is not recommended for children and patients with impaired renal function. In addition, allergic reactions are sometimes possible. Assign "Magnerot" during the first week of treatment, 2 tablets three times a day, then it is enough to drink 1 piece. The course of treatment is set individually, but not less than a month. Sometimes a different regimen is recommended. If the patient is concerned about night cramps, you can drink 2-3 tablets before bedtime.

The use of "Troxerutin"

This drug is used for cramps caused by impaired circulation in the legs. Tablets "Troxerutin" are prescribed by a doctor, as they are contraindicated in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes this drug can cause allergic reactions.

But "Troxerutin" and its analogue "Troxevasin" are effective for venous insufficiency, trophic disorders in the limbs, and varicose veins. They improve blood circulation, relieve swelling, heaviness in the legs and cramps.

Tablets "Diosmin"

In many cases, cramps occur due to the fact that the venous outflow in the legs is disturbed, and the muscles do not receive the necessary nutrients. Taking the drug for 2 months allows you to forget about such spasms for a long time. Tablets "Diosmin" are considered the best of the venoprotectors, which, in addition, still has a natural composition.

The drug helps to tone and strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation. You need to take it 3 tablets twice a day. Sometimes "Diosmin" can cause allergic reactions, headaches, nausea

The drug "Quinidine"

These pills for leg cramps are prescribed only as a last resort. The drug contains quinine, which has long been used in medicine, but for the treatment of malaria. This remedy also has the ability to remove the tendency to convulsions. But Quinidine has many dangerous side effects. These pills are especially toxic for a developing child. Therefore, they are never used for leg cramps in pregnant women.

"Quinidine" can be used only as prescribed by a doctor in a strictly individual dosage. If it is exceeded, the patient may experience vision and hearing problems, heart rhythm disturbances, nausea, and headaches.

Anticonvulsants

With an intense convulsive syndrome, special means are needed. These are barbiturates, valproic acid preparations, various benzodiazepine-based sedatives. They are required for epilepsy, nervous disorders, and generalized convulsions caused by certain infectious diseases. With ordinary spasms of the muscles of the legs, such remedies are not recommended.

Last update 04.04.2019

What to do when cramping legs? Convulsions pass on their own after a few minutes, appear in rare episodes at different times of the day and with certain developmental mechanisms. Leg cramps are a reaction of the body to possible deviations from individual organs or systems. With an increase in episodes of convulsive syndrome in the lower extremities, you should seek help from a therapist or rheumatologist to establish the true cause of the pathology.

Condition features

The muscles of the legs have a striated structure and are an integral part of the skeletal muscles. If smooth muscle contractions are called spasms with pulling pains of varying severity, then skeletal convulsions are always accompanied by a strong painful reaction to muscle contractions. In addition to the pain syndrome, the ability to control the muscle throughout the entire episode of convulsions is lost. A cramp of skeletal muscles is an absolute, involuntary contraction of muscle structures for a certain time with severe pain. There are three main types of seizures:

tonic when muscle spasm is manifested by a short-term episode, but is caused by external or internal factors;

clonic when muscles twitch periodically with an increase and complete disappearance of contractions, they are caused by neurological disorders;

tonic-clonic when convulsions of the limbs are caused by epileptic seizures.

If leg cramps are rare episodes in the patient's clinical history, this should not be of particular concern. Increasing episodes up to several times a week, severe pain during exercise or at rest, a tendency to generalize the pathological process in both limbs, along their entire length, requires immediate diagnostic measures.

Predisposing factors

Leg cramps appear for a number of reasons due to endogenous or exogenous factors. Pathologies of internal organs or systems, aggravated rheumatological history of the patient, metabolic disorders can provoke seizures in adults and children. In the diagnosis of seizures, the key role is played by the localization of the pathological process, the severity of pain and the frequency of manifestations.

General development mechanisms

The nonspecific nature of the occurrence of seizures in the lower extremities is due to the polyetiology of the clinical situation. Convulsive syndrome can manifest itself against the background of the following conditions of the patient:

insufficiency of potassium or magnesium (for example, against the background of long-term use of loop diuretics: Lasix, Furosemide);

drug treatment of absorbent drugs for diseases of the digestive tract;

increased sweating of any genesis (potassium is excreted from the body with sweat);

psychoemotional disorders;

vitamin D deficiency;

chronic and acute intoxication of the body against the background of dehydration;

neurotoxic damage to the lower extremities (for example, poisons of exotic insects);

complicated neurological history;

varicose disease;

severe hyperthermia, hemorrhages in the brain.

Other common reasons why muscle cramps are endocrinological disorders (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism), kidney failure. Physiological factors (flat feet, increased load on the ankle joint, leg injuries of any localization) are capable of provoking strong muscle contractions.

Doctor's advice on identifying the causes

Causes of seizures in women

Convulsive syndrome in women in the muscles of the legs is often recorded under the influence of external factors. In young women, spasms and convulsions may occur against the background of the following conditions:

constant diets and dietary restrictions;

long-term use of drugs for the treatment of various diseases;

wearing shoes with high heels;

increased load on the legs associated with professional activities;

intensive sports;

stress and emotional instability;

active phase of the menstrual cycle.

The eternal struggle with excess weight forces women to limit themselves in nutrition. Given the peculiarity of some diets, a woman's body may not receive useful trace elements and vitamins that are actively involved in metabolic processes. At night, the ankle joint, tired from the load, relaxes, provoking spasms in the area of the foot and lower leg.

Leg cramps during pregnancy

A convulsive symptom during pregnancy can occur against the background of an excessive load on the spinal column due to a growing belly. The main reasons are considered:

shift in the center of gravity;

compression of the venous lumens by the growing uterine cavity;

local circulatory disorders;

stressful situations.

Pregnancy is often accompanied by overweight, vascular edema due to an increase in blood volume, changes in electrolyte parameters (magnesium, sodium, chlorine, potassium). Venous insufficiency is the main companion of pregnancy in late gestation, so convulsions are possible at night, at rest.

Causes of seizures in men

Given the anatomical differences in the structure of the muscular system in men, pain during seizures is particularly intense. The pain radiates to the back and outer thigh. The density of muscle structures in the region of the lower extremities causes the appearance of a strong pain syndrome with spasmodic manifestations. The main causes of cramps in the lower extremities in men include:

excessive physical activity;

professional activity (drivers, loaders, builders):

intensive sports;

sedentary lifestyle (convulsions occur due to the accumulation of lactic acid);

uncomfortable and tight underwear;

overweight;

addiction to alcoholic beverages, smoking.

Men are less picky about their own diet. When using aggressive foods (spicy, sour, salty, alcohol), they contribute to the leaching of potassium and magnesium from the body, causing vascular spasms. With a burdened clinical history, in the presence of various articular pathologies or diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the risks of developing seizures are extremely high.

Features of seizures in children

The appearance of leg cramps in young children is often associated with metabolic disorders of various etiologies and excessive load on the legs. Against the background of the absolute health of the child, for the correction of pathological manifestations, it is enough to comply with the diet, the introduction of a full and varied diet. With existing diseases of the internal organs or systems, convulsions can be serious symptoms for the development of exacerbations of chronic processes or the progression of certain ailments. So, the main reasons are:

hypoxic syndrome and birth trauma;

complications of infectious diseases;

previous intrauterine encephalopathy;

consequences of traumatic brain injury;

electrolyte disturbances.

Episodic cramps of the foot or ankle muscles may be associated with antecedent factors. For example, a convulsive reaction may develop after vaccination, as a side effect of taking medications, intoxication against the background of inflammation, and prolonged persistence of hyperthermia.

Young children are highly emotional, which can also contribute to the appearance of episodic seizures. The physiological cause of the development of seizures is the intensive growth of bone and joint tissue. Muscle tissue grows more slowly than bone tissue, so muscle fibers are not able to fully relax.

Seizures in old age

Cramps in the lower extremities in elderly patients appear for physiological reasons. Natural aging of the body, decreased elasticity of blood vessels, existing chronic diseases and impaired blood supply are common causes of convulsive syndrome. In patients of mature age, episodes become more frequent, attacks are accompanied by pain, limited joint mobility. The lower extremities are prone to disease primarily due to the daily colossal load. Other reasons include:

ischemia of muscle structures;

compression of the vascular plexuses and impaired blood flow;

arterial hypertension;

overweight;

hormonal disorders;

traumatization of the lower extremities;

destructive-degenerative changes in articular structures (osteoarthrosis, deforming arthritis, and others).

If in young patients convulsions often occur at night, then in older people spasms with severe pain are possible in the daytime, in a state of muscle rest.

Features of seizures by localization

Muscle spasm in the lower extremities can manifest itself in different parts of the legs, which can become a signal of the body to the development of specific pathologies and health disorders. There are three main joints: the hip, ankle and knee joints. In addition to large ones, there are many small articulations (for example, toes) that can be subjected to intense muscle contractions.

Flattening of the toes

Toe cramps appear due to a violation of local blood flow in small capillaries and arteries. Sometimes the cause of the pathology is an anomaly in the development of the ligamentous apparatus. The main reasons include:

development of obliterating endarteritis;

increased blood sugar;

flat feet of any degree of severity;

bad habits (alcohol and smoking);

violation of carbon metabolism in tissues;

excessive stress on the toes (for example, uncomfortable or tight shoes);

finger injuries (bruise, falling of a heavy object, sprain or fractures).

The toes of the foot, like the sole itself, have many capillaries and nerve branches. With infringement of the nerve roots, numbness of the fingers with severe pain and cramps is possible.

Spasms in the calf muscles

The calves on the legs of men and women are most often subjected to muscle contractions. It is the ankle joint and calf muscles that are the main support of a person when walking, intensively contracting with each movement. The calf muscles are most susceptible to tonic cramps, which are caused by the following conditions:

intoxication dehydration;

chronic liver diseases with complications in the form of cirrhosis;

phlebeurysm;

terminal stage of renal failure (including the period of decompensation: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis);

transfusion of blood and blood plasma;

inadequate intake of diuretic drugs;

the course of infectious diseases of viral or bacterial origin;

spastic paralysis of the lower extremities;

epilepsy, endocrinological diseases.

Rare diseases of any nature can provoke the development of spasm of the calf muscle. With the progression of articular pathologies from the musculoskeletal system, convulsions occur as one of the manifestations of the clinical picture.

Night cramps

The appearance of muscle spasms at night is due to a number of reasons, combined into three large groups. Each predisposing factor can somehow affect the occurrence of muscle contractions. If he cramps his legs at night often, then this is a clear reason to go to the doctor.

Biochemical composition of blood

If the electrolyte balance in the blood plasma is disturbed, the composition of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, calcium and potassium, changes. Regular heavy sports, excessive physical activity, endocrine diseases, diseases of the kidney structures often lead to a pathological condition. With hypoglycemia, spasms of muscle structures are also observed.

Circulatory disorders

Compression of blood vessels as a result of sclerotic changes, with an uncomfortable position of the body, during pregnancy contributes to the difficulty of blood flow, reducing the transport of oxygen molecules to the muscle muscles. With hypoxia of soft tissues and muscle structures, lactic acid accumulates, which becomes a frequent cause of intra-articular inflammation.

Neurological diseases

Common causes of this group of diseases are infection of the body with staphylococci, gonococci and meningococci. As a result of pathogenic activity, disorders of neuromuscular conduction are formed, provoking spasticity of the lower extremities. Stress and overwork, physical exhaustion can contribute to the development of spasms of any localization.

Involuntary muscle contractions occur precisely at night due to the natural relaxation of the muscles with their simultaneous shortening during any movements.

Disease differentiation

Cramps in the lower extremities as a symptom of certain diseases should be differentiated from other pathologies similar in clinical picture. Among muscle contractions, the following conditions can be distinguished:

Development of epileptic paroxysms. The disease is characterized by generalized muscle contractions, when the muscle structures of the whole organism are involved in the pathological process. After the termination of the episode, the patient does not remember what is happening, disturbances of consciousness are noted.

Syndrome of choreoathetoid seizures. Involuntary muscle contractions are caused by diseases of the central nervous system and occur with constant regularity. Against the background of such convulsions, violations of the general condition of the patient appear, mainly from the side of the psycho-emotional and physical state of the patient.

Nervous tics. Pathology belongs to the field of psychiatric practice. Clinicians highlight changes in the patient's facial expressions. With a burdened psychiatric history of the patient, the pathology tends to generalize to the lower extremities.

The appearance of fasciculations. The condition is represented by fast, rhythmic contractile acts of muscle muscles. Against the background of such convulsions, pain does not occur. A common cause is overexcitation of motor neurons.

Muscular contractures. Least of all, the pathology resembles convulsions. They provoke a forced position of the patient's limb against the background of existing rheumatological diseases.

The appearance of cramps in the legs is always a response of the body to the changes taking place. These changes are not always associated with irreversible pathological processes. With the normalization of nutrition and compliance with the protective regime, the prerequisites for the occurrence of seizures disappear, and the patient feels comfortable at any time of the day.

Tactics for the treatment of seizures

With rare leg cramps, a comprehensive examination of the body should be performed to prevent the persistent formation of any diseases. Usually, drug therapy for self-limiting muscle contractions is not required. With an increase in episodes with prolonged persistence of pain, doctors prescribe general strengthening drugs and vitamin complexes. The main types include:

vitamins containing potassium and calcium;

groups of vitamins A, B, C, E;

local irritating ointments, liniments, gels.

After consultation with nutritionists, it is often recommended to change the usual diet, enrich it with vitamins in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits, increase fiber intake, and reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods. Therapeutic tactics is built on the basis of diagnostic data after identifying the nature of the disease. Sometimes, medical treatment of the convulsing disease is sufficient to prevent episodes of involuntary muscle contractions.

First aid for seizures

To stop a convulsive episode in the lower extremities of any localization, it is recommended to gently tingle or pinch the affected area.

After reducing the intensity of the cramp, you should massage the leg with a healing cream or regular massage oil. Thus, the muscles calm down, the pain disappears, the mobility of the limb is restored. Massage helps restore blood circulation, enhance the penetration of oxygen to soft tissues and muscle structures. For a lasting effect, it is better to apply a local irritating cream and wear warm stockings or socks.

Additional methods of therapy are folk recipes, physiotherapy, manual therapy.

Preventive actions

To prevent seizures, it is enough to reconsider the lifestyle, find time for preventive medical examinations, observe the diet and culture. other measures include:

wearing only comfortable shoes;

selection of high-quality, non-constricting underwear;

giving up alcohol and smoking;

after a hard day, do steaming baths, foot massage;

avoid sugary foods, coffee.

With frequent night cramps after massage and application of therapeutic agents, you can wear socks. In this way, thermoregulation will be maintained, the vessels will warm up and it is better to conduct blood along with oxygen.

Cramps in the lower extremities is not a pathology in rare episodes of occurrence, but attention should be paid to their occurrence when they occur more than once a week. This is an alarming symptom of the development of any disorders on the part of various body systems. Attention to one's own health and timely therapeutic correction can prevent serious complications. To date, there are a number of effective and safe methods of getting rid of pathological muscle contractions.

Reviews

Tatyana Ivanova

For two weeks now he has been reducing his legs in a dream. Especially often at night it reduces the calves and less often the foot. I wake up in severe pain. Pass after I get up and stand on a flat floor. The next day, the muscles when walking also ache. Is it possible to buy magnesium and calcium preparations on my own in a pharmacy or should a doctor prescribe them after an examination? What ointments can be used before bedtime so that the muscles do not cramp?

Elena

I often had cramps in the calf muscles during the period when I had to work two jobs. Constant loads on the legs caused the appearance of a vascular pattern on the skin. I had to turn to a surgeon who recommended a gel with heparin and diosmin tablets. Gymnastics helps best of all, which prevents stagnation of blood in the limbs. In addition, during work it is necessary to constantly warm up, if time permits.

Vladimir

I mostly get toe cramps and foot cramps, used to happen more frequently, now occasionally. As I noticed, they arise when the fingers are flexed, mainly on the right leg. Bending can occur when putting on shoes, or it can occur involuntarily and even during sleep. After the cramp occurs, I slowly and with the help of my hands straighten my toes. What should I do to prevent these seizures?

Vladislav

Hello. I have this question: I often have cramps while I swim, because of this, even a slight fear of water, tell me, how can I help myself when a cramp happened in the water? Of course, I try not to swim far at all, but anything can happen. Thanks for the answer.

Elena Krylova

I used to have frequent nighttime calf cramps, always in one leg only. Pinching and stroking did not help, it was possible to relieve this pain only by standing barefoot on the cold floor. After taking magnesium and potassium, I forgot about them for several years. And now pains have begun, very similar, only reduces the thigh during training. Toes, calf muscles are not affected. Is it also convulsions or should the cause be sought elsewhere?

Alexander

Please tell me, what should I do? I have cramps when I lie in my right leg, the lower muscles under the knee, it happens that you can die, and nothing helps, can there be any method to interrupt this cramp? Thank you in advance!

Sherstyuk Vyacheslav

Good afternoon. I have varicose veins in my legs and recently, after physical exertion, cramps began to appear in the lower legs on both legs. The intensity of the pain is so great that I cannot stand and have to take a horizontal position. Exercises to pull the socks of the legs towards you do not help. Tell me, is there a connection between varicose veins and cramps, and what medicines are better to use to relieve cramps (pain) in such cases? Thank you.

Maxim Nefedov

In the evenings I go in for sports: running and sometimes walking. And before going to bed, when it was possible to relax the muscles, short-term cramps appeared in the calf muscles. I thought the reason was in the classes, but after reading the article I realized that both flat feet and improper shoes are possible factors. I applied ointments, but there was no qualitative improvement. I want to ask if it is possible to use drugs with magnesium on their own? And what if you are allergic to vitamin D since childhood?

Natalya Borisova

Recently, my big toe joint began to hurt and foot cramps appeared. I can't wear shoes with heels at all - it reduces the foot. I switched to flat shoes and sneakers. It is more comfortable to walk in such shoes, but sometimes the foot still cramps, you have to take off your shoes and massage your fingers. I'm very upset about this, tell me what to do? Which specialist should I go to?

Lydia

I have cramps in my right leg during sleep, from this I wake up. The symptom is so sharp that you want to scream. I was advised to pinch the place under the knee, but this does not always help. I would like to know what drugs are better to use for prevention? I have excess weight (I read one of the possible reasons in the article), but it is unlikely that I will be able to lose it. Are there really no effective methods, convulsions are a very unpleasant phenomenon.

Elena

I love walking in shoes with a heel of 7-8 centimeters. But lately, the cramp has been cramping the toes of his right foot almost every day. Moreover, she begins to reduce unexpectedly, mainly while walking. Then unpleasant pain appears in the fingers. To get rid of the cramp, I quickly take off my shoes and begin to first pinch my toes and foot, then massage. Please tell me, if the cause of my cramps is wearing shoes with heels, then why does it only bring the toes on my right foot together? Or maybe shoes aren't the main reason?

Alina Eremina

I am 26 years old and periodically there are cramps in my legs, it happens that specific toes go numb. I don’t wear shoes with heels so often, but it happens that I wear shoes that don’t fit, that is, they squeeze my legs a little. Could this cause seizures? And yet, why does it happen that convulsions can appear during sleep, and only if you get out of bed and start jumping or pinching the place with your nails, then after a while the convulsions disappear. Thank you in advance!

Natalia Marynyak

As a child, my son had an initial form of spasmophilia against the background of difficult teething. In his youth, he was engaged in weightlifting for a long time, now he is constantly on his feet at work. At night he has severe cramps in the calf muscles. Even if he does not wake up, he screams a lot in his sleep and kicks his legs. Of the drugs takes Asparkam and Combispasm. A year ago, cramps on the facial muscles in the region of the upper jaw and ear were added. Are cramps in the legs and face related to each other or are they different diseases? Which doctor should be consulted to establish the correct diagnosis? Can convulsions be a consequence of rheumatic heart disease in adolescence.

The term "cramps in the legs" in the common people refers to excessive in strength and duration and uncontrolled by the will contraction of individual muscles, which occurs for no apparent reason at first glance and mainly at night.

All of the above reasons provoke certain changes both in the body itself and in certain parts of it, which contribute to the spontaneous occurrence of seizures.

So, as a result of excessive load and muscle fatigue, there is a decrease in energy-important compounds, mainly ATP. At the same time, certain metabolites accumulate in the tissues, primarily lactic acid. As a result, the process of relaxation of muscle fibers is disturbed, which, against the background of a lowered threshold of excitability, leads to spontaneous cramps in the legs at night.

Another mechanism for the development of night leg cramps is a violation of the nervous regulation of muscles, which can occur as a result of general overwork, taking certain drugs, endocrine disorders. The result of such conditions is a decrease in the threshold of muscle excitability and their contraction in the presence of even weak nerve impulses.

In the presence of varicose veins, diseases of the cardiovascular system, various inflammatory processes and frequent trauma, there is a change in the metabolism of muscle tissue in conditions of lack of oxygen and nutrients. This contributes to the occurrence of spontaneous cramps of the calf muscles.

When do seizures occur?

In the vast majority of cases, cramps in the toes, as well as cramps in the muscles of the lower extremities, appear in a person at night.

The reason for this phenomenon lies in the fact that during this period of the day all processes in the body are slowed down, the body rests after a busy day. The organs that continue to be supplied with blood at the same level are the non-resting heart, lungs, diaphragm and brain. All the rest, and especially the muscles, are in a relaxed state.

If, for a number of reasons, the local blood supply was initially reduced or there were metabolic disorders, then in conditions of even greater hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the tissues), spontaneous convulsions at night can easily occur.

In addition, brain activity increases during sleep, which is manifested by a fast phase of sleep with motor activity. Under adverse conditions, even slight excitation and activity of nerve cells leads to muscle contraction and spasm.

Harbingers of seizures

In general, night cramps in the limbs in quite healthy people quite often occur spontaneously and without any apparent reason. This type of seizure does not require special measures, except for the relief of a seizure at the time of its presence. At the same time, a significant number of cases requiring human assistance did not appear out of the blue - they were preceded by a certain unfavorable background.

These precursors include:

Many women during the period of bearing a child complain of the appearance of painful uncontrolled contractions of certain leg muscles. As we said earlier, the main cause of seizures is a lack of magnesium, potassium and calcium. The washing out of these elements from the body of a pregnant woman during the first trimester is due to toxicosis, accompanied by eating disorders and vomiting. Leg cramps in the II and III trimester of pregnancy are most often associated with an increased intake of vital micronutrients by the developing fetus.

In addition, in the later stages, an enlarged uterus becomes the cause of convulsions in a pregnant woman, which compresses the inferior vena cava, which makes it difficult for the outflow of venous blood from the legs. The condition is especially worse in the supine position.

Improper diet and increased energy needs of the unborn baby lead to a decrease in glucose levels in the body of a pregnant woman, which can also become triggers for the development of leg cramps. That is why, as a prevention of convulsive syndrome, the expectant mother must carefully observe the daily regimen and ensure that her diet is complete and balanced.

First aid with spasms of the calf muscles

Many people ask themselves the question “What to do if a cramp is cramping your leg?”. Despite the unexpected discomfort or pain that comes to you during a cramp, you should not panic, as excitement and anxiety contribute to an increase in contraction.

As a first aid for toe and calf cramps, you need to pull yourself together as soon as possible and follow these steps:

Slowly place both feet on the floor. If you are lying down, then you need to sit down and sit for a few seconds. After that, smoothly stand on both legs with all your weight, preferably with support.
Massage the affected area. This will provide a rush of blood to the spasmodic area of \u200b\u200bmuscle tissue and its subsequent relaxation.
Try to stretch the contracted and tense muscle. If you have a cramped calf muscle, stand on your heel and try to lift your toe up. Another option may be to take the leg back with support on the entire foot and gradually load with body weight. The third method of stretching is considered to be pulling on the toes with the hand.

If the cramp has affected the front of the thigh, take an upright position, grab the ankle of the leg bent at the knee and pull the foot towards the buttocks. With a spasm of the muscles of the foot, sit down, straighten your leg, pull your thumbs towards you. With a spasm of the muscles of the back of the thigh, take a vertical position, put one step forward and put the sore leg on the heel, bend the healthy one at the knee and lean on it with your hands. Take the pelvis back and gently stretch the patient. The movements should resemble an attempt to remove a shoe from a sore foot.

Pinch the spasmodic muscle or prick it with some non-sharp object type of handle, fork. Knives and needles should not be used at all, but if there is no alternative, then try to handle them very carefully.
After stopping the cramp, perform stroking movements or light massaging of the muscle. This will allow you to relax as much as possible and prevent the occurrence of convulsions in the future. Some seek to further insulate their legs by wearing warm leggings or stockings.

When should you seek help?

In a healthy person, in most cases, such single nocturnal leg cramps can occur spontaneously and, apart from their relief, nothing usually needs to be done.

It is important to know!If such conditions began to appear more than once, then this is a serious reason to consult a doctor for a consultation and further examination in order to find out the cause of seizures. In the process of finding out the cause of your condition, you will have to consult a wide range of specialists, as well as undergo a series of laboratory and instrumental examinations.

If night cramps began to appear after the start of treatment prescribed by a doctor for an existing disease, then it is possible that night cramps in the legs are associated with the action of one or more medications taken. In this situation, it is necessary to contact the attending physician as soon as possible, explain the situation - it is possible to review the drug therapy, or change the dosages of the prescribed drugs.

Prevention of leg cramps

There are a number of recommendations, following which you can reduce the risk of seizures at night. Basically, preventive measures are aimed at general strengthening and healing of the body and at improving the condition of the muscles of the limbs.

The list of measures to prevent the development of leg cramps includes:

Normalization of the level of physical activity. People with reduced physical activity should avoid excessive overwork, but do not forget that a certain level of muscle load is simply necessary, as it improves venous outflow, improves nutrition and oxygen supply to muscle tissue. People with increased physical activity are shown to avoid periods of complete rest, however, provide periodic rest to the muscles.

As a rule, these measures can prevent the occurrence of convulsive syndrome. However, if even after this you continue to be bothered by muscle spasms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to undergo an examination and find out the exact causes of the disease, as well as select the appropriate treatment for calf muscle cramps.

You can get more information about leg cramps by watching this video review:

Therapist, Sovinskaya Elena Nikolaevna

Good afternoon, dear blog readers! Each of us, at least once in our lives, has experienced such a phenomenon as leg cramps. Most often, they come at the most inopportune moment and make us feel uncomfortable.

He cramps his legs so that it is impossible to move, and it hurts to stand up. What is the reason for this phenomenon? Is it dangerous? Is it possible to get rid of seizures forever? See the article for answers to these questions.

Statistics say that 80% of all people experience leg cramps to some extent. It should be noted that convulsive muscle contraction is not an independent disease.

Muscle spasms are different. As for the legs, they are most often affected by conical cramps, familiar to each of us: when the leg hardens, which leads to pain and for several minutes a person cannot move.

But the most painful sensation is the spasm of the calf muscles, which takes a person by surprise. Most often, people of mature and old age are prone to convulsive conditions, although a child is also not uncommon.

A person can predict the approach of this phenomenon. As a rule, convulsions are preceded by: numbness, tingling, twitching, feeling of "goosebumps", fatigue.

Causes of seizures

Very often, the occurrence of leg cramps is associated with a lack of trace elements in the human body, with muscle strain, with a lack of magnesium, potassium. The lack of vitamins A, C, E, D, B also negatively affects the muscle tone of the limbs.

In order to avoid cramps, it is necessary to regulate the work of muscle tissues. You should monitor the intake of potassium and magnesium. If you are taking medications, adsorbents or diuretics, you should know that they contribute to the removal of trace elements from the body. Muscle fibers become dehydrated and this leads to increased muscle contractions.
The reason for the lack of potassium is excessive protein intake, increased sweating, dehydration, clubfoot. If desired, they can be replenished by taking vitamin complexes, a proper lifestyle and a balanced diet.

When stressed, the body produces a hormone that impairs the absorption of potassium in the intestines.

The lack of trace elements is also observed in pregnant women, they especially need to carefully monitor their health. During pregnancy, cramps are associated with a lack of magnesium.

In children and adolescents, the legs are reduced for various reasons, they are usually caused by:

increased body temperature,
infectious diseases,
in infants 3-6 months - spasm of the glottis with prolonged crying,
muscle pain during the period of active growth and even the weight of the blanket.

In older people, the cause of leg cramps also lies in chronic diseases, taking diuretics and poor nutrition, and can also be caused by age-related changes.

The most common causes of leg cramps also include:

Prolonged wearing of high heels. Women often neglect their health for the sake of beauty. And in vain. Shoes must be chosen wisely and in no case should high heels be worn day after day. The best shoes for healthy feet are shoes with low, wide heels with a smooth rise of the foot;

Physical and psycho-emotional overstrain also negatively affects the health of the feet. Stress leads to disruption of the nervous system, relaxation of muscle muscles and loss of calcium.

Muscle hypothermia . Before swimming in cold water, you need to think carefully: do you need it? Hypothermia leads to convulsive impulses of the limbs, which is very dangerous on the water.

Food with a high protein content. Protein prevents the absorption of calcium. In pursuit of a thin waist, women are ready to eat healthy protein foods every day, forgetting that their body needs nutrients. Therefore, while dieting, do not forget to provide your body with potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Pathological diseases that cause leg cramps

Leg cramps can also indicate the following diseases:

flat feet;
Radiculitis;
Diabetes;
Phlebeurysm;
Injuries;
Excessive physical activity;
Circulatory disorders;
kidney failure;
Diseases of the thyroid gland.

Causes of seizures in healthy people

Violation of the formation of nerve impulses and loss of muscle tone. As already noted, such muscle spasms are a phenomenon that occurs in 80% of the world's inhabitants. This suggests that the leg can be reduced in absolutely healthy people. It only remains to find out why?

Firstly, as already mentioned, in our time, very few people monitor their diet and do not think at all about what medications they are taking. Many elderly people take pills for pressure, for kidney diseases, which are diuretics, and “with the help” of these pills, a person gets rid of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium along with urine. Magnesium deficiency is a common cause of seizures.

Secondly, the cause of seizures may simply be the hot season or increased physical activity. When a person loses a lot of moisture due to sweat, and does not make up for this loss. As a result of dehydration, frequent contraction of muscle fibers occurs. No wonder they say that water is life. Every day a person should drink 1.5-2 liters of water. Such a little trick will save you from many troubles in the future.

Third, the reasons include excessive consumption of coffee, cocoa, chocolate and alcohol. Both excessively active physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are harmful. Sedentary work helps to slow down blood circulation in the limbs, especially with flat feet and varicose veins.

If your job is sedentary, take a couple of minutes to stretch your body. Your feet will thank you. Uncomfortable shoes won't do you any good either. Never wear tight shoes made of cheap materials. Convulsions can also occur after prolonged walking, swimming.

Leg cramps during pregnancy - normal or not?

Leg cramps during pregnancy most often affect women who experience toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy. Do not forget that a woman in position needs a lot of vitamins, as well as. we have already found out that the main cause of seizures is the leaching of their body of potassium, magnesium and calcium, then these microelements simply need to be replenished.

What causes convulsions in pregnant women? The fact is that in pregnant women the uterus increases in size, it puts pressure on the inferior vena cava and makes it difficult for the outflow of venous blood from the legs. Particularly often cramps occur in the supine position. Women have low blood glucose levels, which also affect muscle tone. That is why pregnant women should observe the daily routine and adhere to a balanced diet.

What to do if there are cramps in the water

This should be discussed separately. No matter how much they say: do not swim in cold water, there will always be daredevils who are ready to risk their health. In addition, the factor of coolness of water for each person is individual. What to do if you experience cramps in the water?

If you managed to get to land , then: grab your leg with both hands and pull the toe towards you, and stick out the heel back. Despite the pain, after a couple of minutes the cramp should go away. Then stretch and massage the damaged areas. If that doesn't help, press the heel of the foot firmly against the buttock.

If you are in the water , then it is important to change the position. If you swam on your chest, then roll over onto your back and vice versa. Pull your knees towards you, grab your foot and pull it sharply towards you. If this method does not help, use the following: immerse your head in water, grab the big toe of the cramped leg with the opposite hand and pull it towards you.

What to do for nighttime muscle cramps

The causes of leg cramps at night are most often banal - this is a change in body position. With prolonged lying in one position, the body becomes numb and a spasm occurs with a sharp movement. A person after a cramp cannot fall asleep for a long time due to painful sensations caused by lactates accumulated in the muscles.

Cramps during sleep are especially common in people suffering from osteochondrosis and in the elderly. According to doctors, frequent night cramps may be a sign of incipient thrombosis. So if this problem bothers you, see your doctor.

How to help yourself if you cramped your leg at night?

You can cope with an attack on your own as follows: relax your leg as much as possible. Pull the sock towards you. Get up and try to walk around, stretch your leg, massaging it along the way. If the spasm doesn't go away, prick yourself with a needle. If you know in advance that a cramp may occur at night, then the calf of the leg can be wrapped with an elastic bandage.

Keep a magnet nearby.

Yes, it is simple magnets that relieve spasms. Put the magnets on the problematic part of the body and after a few minutes the cramps will go away.

Or they also say that the contracted muscle should be pressed against the cold metal or stand with bare feet on the cold floor. My mother also had cramps and immediately pressed her leg against the metal head of the bed on which she slept. And it helped her.

Folk remedies for leg cramps

Traditional medicine is a storehouse of useful knowledge. You should not neglect folk remedies, sometimes they play a significant role in the recovery of a person. Here are some helpful recipes.

Fill a third of the jar of chopped garlic with vodka. It should be insisted for 2 months, while shaking every day. Take by mouth: 5 drops three times a day before meals.

Garlic oil. Crush the garlic, pour the resulting slurry with unrefined sunflower oil. Leave in the refrigerator for 1 day. Take garlic oil one teaspoon 3 times a day, drink freshly squeezed lemon juice. The course of treatment is not more than 3 months.

Lemon juice. Twice a day, morning and evening, rub lemon juice on your feet.

mustard ointment . Mix two teaspoons of mustard powder with a jar of Vaseline. Rub your skin when you get a cramp. It is useful to lubricate the skin with mustard when tingling occurs in the muscle, blood flow is formed. It is good to have such an ointment in the home first aid kit.

Yeast. Pour boiling water over crackers of rye bread and leave for 4 hours, then strain and add yeast there. The drink should ferment after 8 hours. Drink it should be 100 ml. 1 time per day before meals.

Apple vinegar. Mix a spoonful of vinegar and honey in a glass of hot water. Take hot 3 times a day, but not more than a week.

Collection of herbs. Take in equal proportions mint, yarrow, nettle herbs. Pour 100 grams of the collection with 200 grams of water, bring to a boil, cool. Pour the resulting broth into a bath or a bucket of water and take a steam bath. Repeat 15-20 procedures. The cramps will go away.

Celandine. Squeeze juice from celandine, mix with vaseline. With the resulting ointment, rub the places where convulsions occur.

Onion peel. Pour the chopped onion peel with a glass of boiled water, let it brew for 10 minutes. You can drink at night. Folk recipes say that after the first dose, there will be no seizures that day.

Salt. When a cramp starts, put a pinch of salt on the tip of your tongue. After a few minutes, the cramps should go away.

Honey. A good helper in the fight against seizures. Honey is tasty and healthy. Every day it is useful to eat 20-25 grams of honey.

Horseradish. Grate 200 grams of fresh horseradish on a fine grater, add 500 grams of honey and olive oil. Mix and send to the refrigerator. You can eat 1 tablespoon 1 time per day.

Exercise for leg cramps

Stretch in bed. Pull your socks on, relax and stretch again;
In a standing position, cross your legs. Place your feet on the outside of your feet, hold, balancing in the position for 10 seconds, return to the normal position. Repeat 5-10 times;
Stand on your toes, stretch and sharply "fall" on your heels. See how to do the exercise vibro-gymnastics , which is a prophylaxis for muscle spasms;
Stand on your heels, bend your toes. Hold this position for 10 seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times;
Find an object 5 cm high, place your toes on top of the object and your heel on the floor. Move left to right for a few minutes.

What to do to prevent seizures

If these conditions have become a real problem for you, you should quit smoking and drinking coffee. Eat greens, cereals, dried fruits, eggs, liver, butter, milk, bananas, meat. The largest amount of potassium is found, surprisingly, in the skin of potatoes.

At the discretion of the doctor, you need to take multivitamin complexes. Choose comfortable shoes. Go in for sports, moderate physical activity has a positive effect on health.

A contrast shower leads to muscle tone. Regular use of such a shower strengthens the muscles. You can cope with cramps on your own at home.

Replenish the deficiency of useful trace elements;
Drink plenty of water;
Go in for sports, but avoid overwork;
Get rid of excess weight;
Do a foot massage;
Sleep in a comfortable position.

To minimize leg cramps, you need to see a doctor and take general blood and urine tests, which will show if your main indicators are normal. Then you need to adjust your diet.

Leg cramps are an unpleasant phenomenon that is familiar to everyone. The measures listed in the article will allow you to avoid this phenomenon. Watch your body, it may be giving you signals. Be healthy!

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