Leg Cramps is a condition in which one or more muscles in the leg get contracted. It is very painful and discomforting. It can affect any age group of persons, but are more commonly found among the elderly people. It generally occurs in the calf muscle, the hamstring and the quadriceps.
Leg cramps are often related to problems with sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium balance, as well as to problems with deficient hydration. So, making sure that you drink enough fluids (including juices, "sports drinks" and fluids that contain minerals and glucose in addition to water) is important. Some people find that adding a little bit of salt to the diet (such as salting your food on a regular basis) helps.
Leg cramps can be caused by a number of reasons. Although checking with your doctor is the best way to identify why this is happening, try some of these easy at home ways of reducing the pain.
Massage the cramped muscle gently in the natural direction of the muscle. This remedy acts as a great pain reliever.
Stretching For muscle cramps in your calf, stretch your legleg with toes pointing upwards and towards the head. Hold this position for 30 seconds. This also eases cramps in the back of the thighs. For muscle cramps in your front thigh, pull your foot on the affected side towards your buttocks and hold for 30 seconds. Plan a good stretching regimen and follow it regularly to prevent future muscle cramps.
If poor circulation causes muscle cramps, Vitamin E might be a good choice for its blood-thinning and vasodilating properties. Gingko biloba also provides a blood-thinning effect and may be considered. Sodium and/or Potassium imbalances tend to become more of a problem during, or after physical
activity, but less so during rest, so for exercise-induced leg cramps or muscle spasms, their addition in the form of a sports drink, or through extra Sodium / Potassium supplementation in tablet form may be a consideration.
If the cramp is in the back of the thigh, raise the affected leg and straighten your knee. Rest your leg against a wall or tree if you have trouble holding the position. If the cramp is in the front of your thigh, raise your leg and bend your knee, bringing your knee up to your chest. Massage the thigh firmly with your fingers. Extend your leg, and deeply massage your fingers into the affected area until the cramp goes away.
If your muscle pain is constant and not just an occasional cramp, or if you notice swelling or tenderness in your leg, contact your doctor. In rare cases (one in 2,000) a pregnant woman can develop venous thrombosis, or a blood clot, which requires immediate medical attention.
One pressure point is between and to the front of the space between your big toe and the second toe. Firm pressure with one or two fingers at the onset of cramp will stop it instantly. The other pressure point is the Septum? Which is the lower bone between the nostrils? Firm pressure on this point with the inside of the forefinger at the first sign of lower leg cramp will stop it dead. This last one sounds silly I know but please try it as it nearly always works.
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