Leg cramps: what are the causes and how to treat

Leg cramps (myoclonus) is a very painful condition that occurs in the calves and usually goes away after a short period of time. The peculiarity lies in the suddenness, sharpness. It's okay if the seizures are episodic; a much more dangerous symptom is long-term pain that occurs often, spontaneously, especially at night. The time has come to understand this problem in detail, to find out its causes and ways of elimination.

Seizure symptoms

Some people suffer from cramps in the calf throughout their lives, and for many it happens already in old age. Spontaneous contraction of a muscle or muscle group is accompanied by severe pain, and an attempt to eliminate it by adopting a more comfortable position leads to increased discomfort. Moreover, other muscles in the human body, including the intestines, can also contract, however, the term "cramps" can be attributed exclusively to the arms or legs.

Fortunately, most pathology proceeds with minimal risk to life, yes, it brings a lot of unpleasant emotions due to its surprise for a person and strong pain severity. However, there are situations in which such a trifle as convulsions can cost your life. For example, when it occurs in the water, when the diver can no longer control himself and stay afloat. In addition, muscle spasms are sometimes not only an independent ailment, but also the cause of another disease.

Causes of leg cramps

Seizures often occur when walking, swimming, or during sports and exercise. From the point of view of medicine, sharp pain in the limbs, which lasts no more than 10 seconds and occurs only 1-2 times a month, is not a serious pathology. Neither children nor elderly people are immune from this.

Too frequent, regular, prolonged pain can signal malfunctions in the body and dysfunction of various systems:

1. The error-free supply of contractile impulses is ensured by certain processes occurring in the human body, including due to the maintenance of the chemical composition of the blood and a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements (potassium, magnesium, calcium). Several factors are capable of disrupting their balance - this is carrying a child, and an excess of sugar, and taking certain medications, vomiting and diarrhea, and even sports and physical activity, because during them, as a rule, we sweat a lot, there is a significant loss of moisture and salts. Harmful habits such as smoking, drinking and coffee abuse also alter the electrolyte and biochemical composition of the blood.
2. Physical overstrain during sports, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes, hard work often cause seizures, since there is a large consumption of muscle acid, the reserves of which do not have time to replenish. It is worth remembering that in the cold or when the temperature drops, the metabolism slows down, but the acid consumption remains the same, which is why, before starting the exercise, experts recommend that the muscles be warmed up properly.
3. Constant cramps in the limbs can also indicate circulatory disorders. If there are problems with blood vessels, the production of muscle acid slows down, this leads to insufficient blood supply to soft tissues and blood stasis. Exacerbate the pathology and external factors, overweight, love of high heels, pregnancy, sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle. With varicose veins, the manifestation of myoclonus occurs especially often after long walks.
4. Convulsive twitching of large muscles also occurs in diseases associated with neurological disorders - with intoxication (poisoning with certain poisons and medicines), insect bites, insufficient blood supply to the vessels of the brain. Separately, it should be said about the phenomenon of febrile seizures, which make themselves felt at high temperatures in children, the thermoregulation system of a small child is imperfect, which causes hyperthermia - overheating.
5. Lack of certain hormones, mainly the thyroid and parathyroid glands, often provoke an attack of seizures.

What to do with leg cramps

The insidiousness of this state lies in its unexpectedness for a person. When a spasm suddenly occurs and the leg is cramping, usually we are not able to figure out how to eliminate the spasm on the go, so read the rules of first aid for myoclonus in order to help yourself or loved ones in case of anything:

1. If we are talking about cramps of the calf muscles or toes, first of all, the victim must be seated or laid down in order to relieve additional stress from the leg.
2. Then grab the foot and pull towards the victim, or, if you have pain, towards your side. This should be done as much as possible so that all the muscles tighten, the discomfort at this moment will intensify, but then the pain will immediately disappear.
3. This method is often used by athletes - the limb in which the spasm has arisen should be pricked with something sharp or pinched.
4. As soon as the pain has receded, it is necessary to stretch the muscles well with the help massage to calm them down.
5. For a while, a person needs complete rest in order to recover, the consequence of seizures is often pain, as after intense physical exertion.

Leg cramps at night

Cramps of the calf muscles at night in adults can become a consequence and symptom of various diseases, which we have already mentioned above.

Night cramps in the limbs in children often appear during a period of active growth, they can signal this with loud crying, asking to stroke the sore leg. Myoclonus in a child makes itself felt both with hypothermia, and prolonged uncomfortable position of the body, and with congenital defects of the feet.

As with any pathology, seizures are easier to prevent than to cure. Here are some ways prevention, thanks to them, you will forget about the pain and discomfort in the calf muscles:

• Eat right. Load up on fruits, vegetables (especially broccoli), and dairy products that are high in potassium, magnesium and minerals.
• Smoking and alcohol disrupt the absorption of essential micronutrients, which leads to their deficiency and problems with blood vessels.
• For the normal functioning of organs and systems, daily dynamic loads are necessary, but do not overdo it, everything should be in moderation.
• It is better for girls to give up unstable stiletto heels, shoes should be comfortable, otherwise the legs will get tired and the risk of spasms will increase.
• If you notice your tendency to cramps, make it a rule to take a contrast shower and do baths with herbs (mint, valerian).

Leg cramps during pregnancy

Convulsions during pregnancy are not uncommon, but remember that this phenomenon is still not the norm, but a signal from the body that reacts to the appearance of pathology.

The causes of myoclonus during the period of gestation are similar to the factors that affect the occurrence of seizures in the normal state:

• The main reason is still scarcity vitamins and microelements, therefore, proper and nutritious nutrition is so necessary for the mother and the fetus.
• If a woman suffers from toxicosis, this causes the loss of a large amount of fluid.
• The condition is aggravated by the abuse of caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and smoking.
• A lack of glucose and the development of anemia lead to seizures.
• In later stages, women often suffer from varicose veins, which leads to impaired blood supply and blood stasis, edema.

Tips for preventing seizures during pregnancy:

• do not wear high-heeled shoes;
• while at rest, try to lift your legs up and massage them from foot to knee;
• if you need to stay on your feet for a long time, do simple exercises to "disperse" the blood, for example, rise on your toes, and then lower yourself on your heels;
• take a contrast shower and take a sea salt bath.

Treating leg cramps

Medical treatment of seizures is based primarily on trial and error, since there is no single drug yet that can prevent and eliminate myoclonus. In Russia, doctors often prescribe the drug "Phenobarbital", it has a sedative effect, soothes and improves sleep, however, it has a number of contraindications and is available only by prescription. Also, in the fight against seizures, prescribe "Carbamazepine", which fights epileptic seizures.

You can try folk methods, perhaps they will not bring the long-awaited result, but, in any case, they will not be harmful:

• Immediately after the manifestation of spasms, you can apply warm honey to the foot and calf area and wrap your legs, rinse off after half an hour.
• A popular remedy is lemon juice, which is rubbed into the skin of the feet, the course of treatment lasts a couple of weeks.
• The warming effect is given by mustard powder or mustard butter, which is applied to the affected area.
• Some sources indicate that a vinegar solution can help, they moisten a cloth and put it on the area where the pain has arisen, a dry napkin is placed on top. This method works for both prevention and first aid.