Leg cramps involve unplanned, involuntary, acute muscular pain that commonly occurs in the calf muscles, feet, or thighs. You may also acknowledge them as a “Charley horse.” The cramp may cause your leg to spasm, which is when it tightens uncontrollably.
Further, leg cramps, although unpleasant, are typically not harmful, and only last for a short interval of time, generally from a few seconds to ten minutes. They can happen at any time, but most people experience leg cramps at night or when resting.
If you have a leg cramp, you need to rest and do gentle stretching that may help relax the muscle aches in legs. Other practices, like staying hydrated and changing up your diet, may help prevent leg cramps. Let us read more.
Various Causes of Leg Cramps
Often, the exact cause of leg cramps is unclear, though several theories exist. They can sometimes be linked to issues involving the blood circulation, nervous system, metabolism, or hormone imbalances. Research indicates that nerve dysfunctions and muscle fatigue could contribute to the occurrence of cramps. Certain medications may also raise the likelihood of experiencing these cramps. Commonly, leg muscle pain can occur due to the following reasons:
- Aging (50 years or older)
- Pregnancy (normally in the later stage)
- Less body movement
- Exercising too hard can cause muscle strain, especially in hot or humid conditions
- Consumption of certain medicines like medicine for lowering cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Not consuming enough fluids leads to dehydration
- Liver condition due to excessive alcohol drinking
- Certain health conditions — diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism (hormonal imbalance)
- Deficiency or excess of certain vitamins and minerals in the body — calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, etc.
There might be some other causes that would require more intense investigation before initiation of the treatment or management procedure.
When Should You Visit a Medical Practitioner?
Consult a doctor if you experience acute leg cramps, which occur frequently, or persist for a long period. Also, if you have any of the following symptoms in addition to leg twinge, contact your physician straight away:
- You have muscle cramps in legs and other parts of your body.
- Your leg cramps are disturbing your sleep.
- Your cramps last longer than 10 minutes
- There is a significant amount of pain.
- There is swelling or numbness in your leg.
- You can see changes in the skin or the color of your leg.
- You are waking up over and over again in the night with leg cramps.
- You have fluid abnormalities or electrolyte imbalances in your body.
If you suspect that your leg spasms are the result of a significant medical issue, see a healthcare provider.If you get a leg cramp after touching a potentially dangerous or contagious item, you may need to visit the hospital’s emergency room. For example, if a wound on your skin comes into contact with dirt, you may get a bacterial illness such as tetanus. Exposure to mercury, lead, or other poisonous compounds should also be a reason to visit the emergency room.
Management and Treatment of Leg Cramps
When you get stroked by a leg cramp, you might want it to subside as soon as possible. You might be finishing up an exercise routine when you might experience a cramp or legs ache at night might wake you up. In such situations, there are no magical injections available that can instantly ease your pain.
Though there are certain steps that you can follow to possibly get rid of a leg cramp in urgency:
- Practice stretching:
You can straighten your leg, flex it, and then pull your toes inwards to stretch the muscles. After stretching the cramped muscle, you can gently rub it. If you are having a thigh cramp, you can simply try pulling the foot on that leg up toward your buttock. Hold on to a chair to make yourself stable. - Go for a massage or do it yourself:
You can either use your hands or a roller to massage the pulled muscle in leg - Get up from a sitting position and walk:
You can just stand up from your place and keep pressing your feet against the floor or wiggle your leg while you walk around. - Use heat therapy:
You can either use a heating pad or take a warm bath for some relief. - Use cold therapy:
In certain situations, you can also wrap some ice in a towel and apply it to the affected area. - Take medications:
As prescribed by the healthcare provider, you can consume ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with the cramp or pain. - Elevate your leg:
You can prop up your leg after you start feeling better.
Final Words
Leg cramps are common and harmless that usually take place for no apparent reason. Stretching and massaging the muscles can frequently provide relief.
In certain circumstances, however, there may be an underlying problem requiring medical intervention. If your cramps are severe or regular, visit a doctor.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14170-leg-cramps
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leg-cramps/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180160#takeaway
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/leg-cramps
