Annoying Leg Cramps: What to Do?

Leg cramps is that sharp pain in your leg that gradually intensifies as time passes especially when it happens when you are sleeping; that’s in between a nightmare and relief. Nightmare because it’s painful and relieved knowing that nothing bad happened, right? But if this keeps on happening like a regular thing for you then better think twice or for elderly people since leg cramps at night can become frequent.

The cramp itself only lasts for a few seconds but it would be helpful for you or anyone else to know more about leg cramps at night and how to manage it. In this article, you will understand leg cramps and how to prevent them from happening at night or any day. Read on. 

Leg Cramps at Night: What’s Happening

Leg cramps happen at night are involuntary muscle contractions that mostly happen in the calves or thighs or the feed. The muscles around these areas tightens, becomes hard, and causes pain. In some cases, it subsides fairly quickly  but the muscle remains sore right after. In such a case, it could also wake anyone up from deep slumber that causes disruption from a good night sleep. 

Unlike RLS or restless leg syndrome that causes uncontrollable urge to move legs, leg cramps at night involve painful muscle spasms or contractions that stop movement altogether. 

Common Causes 

There are several factors that increase the risk of developing leg cramps at night: 

• Dehydration 
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Fatigue 
• Lifestyle 
• Pregnancy 

There could be more causes why leg cramps happen by addressing those that are already mentioned above could help you elevate the frequency of leg cramps especially at night. 

Relief 

You may have done these things to help you relieve some pain: 

1. Stretch legs gently. Straighten it, flex your foot upward and hold this stretch for some seconds. This will help your muscles relax.
2. Massage the muscles which means you only need to rub it in slow motions. This improves blood circulation and relieves some of the tension. 
3. You can apply heat and cold. If this doesn’t trouble you on the comfort of your bed, just grab a warm towel or a warm pad and apply it. Or you can do some cold compress too. 
4. If it is daylight, you can just walk gently around the room. This helps relax the muscles and also, it restores blood circulation. 

Simple, isn’t it? It doesn’t take two and two together to avoid having cramps every now and then. 

Prevention is Better Than Cure 

Prevention is easy  if you make a habit out of it. Here are steps to do to help prevent leg cramps from happening. Read on here: 

• You need to drink water regularly. 
• You can improve your lifestyle and you can start by moving around as much as you can. 
• You need to eat healthily; diet is the answer.  
• Stretch whenever you can. 
• Wear the shoes that fit you.
• You must avoid sitting cross-legged. 
• Take a warm bath because this relaxes the muscles. 

By doing all of these, rest assured that this lessens your leg cramps until it doesn’t affect you at all. 

Finally

Sleeping soundly at night or hanging around should be simple without your legs giving out on you. However, if leg cramps are becoming a usual thing for you – then it is time to go and see a doctor since leg cramps are usually manageable. 

Remember the things you can do to help you with cramps: 

• drink water

• eat well

• stretch as much as you can
• move around

By doing these, it will surely help elevate the cramps from less to zero in no time.