Cramps in the calves after a long walk. Calf muscle cramps - causes and diseases. Cramps in the calves of the legs: causes, symptoms and treatment of the problem When I stretch, cramps in the calves

Often people in their sleep experience a condition where their calves cramp. When sleeping, the body is relaxed, muscle tissue reduces activity, and lactic acid accumulates in the calves of the muscles, which contributes to the appearance of cramps.

An unpleasant phenomenon that occurs more often than other convulsions is called cramps. They are usually accompanied by pain and numbness in the calf muscle, which interferes with restful sleep. For proper treatment of night cramps, it is necessary to analyze the provoking factors and establish their cause. If attacks recur frequently, you should consult a doctor.

Causes of night cramps

The reasons are very different.

Lack of mobility. Due to lack of physical activity, the muscles gradually atrophy, resulting in pain in the legs. Office workers and drivers are especially susceptible to this problem.
Failure to comply with training techniques. A serious mistake is placing all the weight on one part of the foot. People who are involved athletics and strength sports, it is worth analyzing your activities.
Lack of nutrients.
Diseases liver, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, heart failure, flat feet.

Cramps during pregnancy

During pregnancy, various types of disruptions in the body's functioning are possible. Some of them provoke the occurrence of cramping in the calf muscles. They come suddenly and often at night. Let's look at the reasons for the violations.

Deficiency of vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, calcium. In the early stages of pregnancy, toxicosis occurs, which removes microelements from the body.
Reduced percentage of glucose in the blood. To maintain glucose levels, pregnant women are advised to split their meals into small portions.
Phlebeurysm. In the last period of pregnancy, the increased load does not allow the veins to cope with their work. Blood stagnates, circulatory problems occur, which makes it difficult for the required amount of essential substances to enter the muscles. Metabolic products are not excreted, creating a favorable background for the appearance of seizures.
Inferior vena cava syndrome. In a horizontal position, the pregnant woman’s uterus presses on the lower vein, which reduces the outflow of blood and leads to calf cramps.
Use of diuretics in excess quantities may cause leaching of minerals.

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Among women

New-fangled diets advise limiting the consumption of certain foods, which threatens a deficiency of important substances. A lack of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium promotes the formation of ionic compounds in the intercellular spaces, which have a stimulating effect on nerve endings, thereby causing painful muscle contractions at night. Mono-diets are considered especially dangerous in this regard.

Use of diuretic foods and drinks, choleretic action contributes to disturbances in the metabolic process muscle tissue water balance. Important microelements are excreted along with the liquid.

If your calves cramp at night, your shoes may be to blame. Women often wear high-heeled shoes, so during the day their legs become tired from long-term incorrect positioning of the foot, and at night fatigue and relaxed muscles manifest themselves in the form of reflex contractions.

A woman’s body experiences serious stress during the menstrual period due to impaired peripheral circulation.

Video information

Women are prone to cramps due to stress. Minor disturbances often result in nighttime calf cramps.

Cramps in men

The peculiarity of spasms in men is that they are more painful, since the muscles are denser than women’s. The causes of seizures are considered to be:

Forced inactivity, increased loads. Men who are busy suffer from this professional activity: truck drivers, tractor drivers, bulldozer drivers, athletes.
Muscle hypothermia. Many men allow themselves to be in the cold water of reservoirs and neglect warm underwear, which leads to hypothermia of the muscles.
Overweight. Body parameters and a huge belly lead to the fact that the inferior vena cava is compressed, as in pregnant women.
Smoking and alcohol. They negatively affect peripheral blood supply: they spasm blood vessels, stimulate nerve endings, which provokes convulsions.
Dehydration. Heavy sweating removes a significant portion of microelements from the body.

Treatment is acceptable as folk remedies at home and with medications.

Treatment of seizures with folk remedies

In case of rare attacks, you can do without medical care using home remedies. Traditional medicine offers many recipes to help with cramps in the calves.

Fast method. Hold a pinch of salt in your mouth for up to 2 minutes and the cramp will go away.
Lemon juice. Take a spoonful of salted lemon juice under your tongue. The disease can be eliminated by lubricating the area of spasm with juice.
Kvass mixture. Add a teaspoon of yeast to a glass of bread kvass, leave for 6 hours, divide into equal parts according to the number of meals. Take before meals for a month. Improves the taste of the honey mixture.
Wormwood tincture. Pour vodka into a container filled with wormwood herb and leave for 2-3 weeks. Rub your feet every evening until the cramps disappear completely.
Chamomile mixture. Brew two tablespoons of chamomile like tea with a liter of boiling water. Drink after meals, last time before bed.
Celandine ointment. Mix freshly squeezed celandine juice with medical Vaseline 1:2. rub problem areas 2 weeks.

To ease pain and spasms, it is recommended to pull your toes towards you. Then restore blood circulation by doing a massage. You can pinch or prick the muscle. After relief, you need to lie down with your legs elevated. This method will speed up blood circulation and relax spasms.

If effectiveness cannot be achieved with folk remedies, you should definitely consult a doctor who will prescribe additional tests.

Store-bought anti-seizure medications

In accordance with the identified cause and correct diagnosis, drugs of different effects are prescribed. In this case, therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause itself. The treatment complex includes vitamins and microelements.

Vitamins

Ointments

For local treatment, heparin ointment, troxevasin gel, ointments based on horse chestnut, and finalgon are used. With anti-inflammatory and warming properties, they relieve seizures and symptoms of pathologies. Ointments are used before bedtime, applied to the problem area.

Pills

There are no pills that will completely eliminate cramps without identifying the underlying cause. But these anticonvulsants are recommended more often than others:

Name	Action	Dosage
"Difenin"	Relieves spasms, relaxes muscles.	As prescribed by a doctor.
"Mydocalm"	Local anesthetic and muscle relaxant effects.	As prescribed by a doctor.
"Panangin", "Asparkam"	Replenishes magnesium and potassium deficiency.	1-2 tablets per day.
"Magnerot"	Contains magnesium.	2 tablets 3 times a day are used for a long time.
"Analgin", acetylsalicylic acid, "Paracetamol"	Analgesic, anti-inflammatory.	1 tablet up to 4 times a day.

For convulsions caused by varicose veins, popular means, which relieve inflammation, improve the walls of blood vessels, accelerate blood circulation, are considered: “Venoturon 300”, “Antistax”, “Venarus”, “Anavenol”.

IMPORTANT! Most drugs used in the treatment of seizures have many contraindications, so self-medication is unsafe for health.

Preventing seizures

To prevent a condition where your calves cramp at night, following the following will help: preventive rules.

The diet must fully meet the body's needs for vitamins and microelements.
Minimize heavy and prolonged stress on the legs.
Wear comfortable shoes if possible.
Before going to bed, massage your feet to normalize blood circulation and relieve tension.
Reduce consumption to a minimum junk food and drinks.
Get rid of bad habits.
Protect yourself from unnecessary worries.

In order not to remove water from muscle tissue, after a cup of strong coffee or tea, it is good to replenish the body with 200 milligrams of liquid.

In most cases, calf muscle cramps are not life-threatening. However, frequent repetitions create significant discomfort, so it is necessary to immediately identify the causes of calf spasms and get rid of them using recipes traditional medicine or drug treatment. Don't forget about prevention to eliminate this problem forever.

If pain and cramps in the calf muscles bother you, a person inevitably begins to panic. If the sensation comes at night, no one would dare call such an awakening pleasant. If sensations appear during the daytime, the person’s mobility is seriously limited for the entire period of pain, and it is impossible to concentrate attention and thoughts on anything other than the sore leg. Why do my legs hurt and why do my muscles cramp? Let's try to figure it out.

Is it worth paying attention?

Only a doctor can say exactly why a particular person’s legs hurt when walking. The doctor will examine the limbs, prescribe instrumental and laboratory tests based on the assumption of the cause, and based on the results of the official information received, will issue an accurate conclusion, and together with it will develop a program to eliminate the problem. Some people think that the syndrome, especially if it appears infrequently, does not deserve special attention. In fact, pain is almost always an indication of some kind of illness, and it should not be neglected. Of course, in some cases there is no great danger - for example, if the sensation is associated with short-term overexertion and fatigue and the body thus asks for rest. But sometimes the reason can be much more serious and terrible.

What happens most often?

A doctor, examining a patient who complains that the calf muscle is tense and painful, often associates this condition with physical overload. Indeed, pain can occur against the background of active sports and lots of movement. In addition, it is worth assessing the ratio of height and body weight. Perhaps provoked by excess kilograms. For some, the syndromes are caused by injuries - this is more common among athletes. There is a danger of mechanical damage to muscle tissue. An effective preventive measure is to perform a series of stretches before competitions or training. The more intense the expected load, the more important it is to thoroughly warm up your legs.

Sharp pain in the calf muscle when walking can occur if the load on the limbs changes quickly and unpredictably. Pain syndrome is possible if a person walks for a long time or is forced to run a considerable distance, especially without suitable training.

What to do?

These factors are common, severe consequences usually they don't. To improve the condition, it is necessary to reconsider the volume of loads, reduce their strength, and shorten their duration. If the reason is overweight, it is recommended to make an appointment with a nutritionist, and possibly undergo additional tests to identify hormonal characteristics. If a person is actively involved in sports, you should contact a trainer to develop a more suitable warm-up program.

Experienced athletes know well how to relieve pain in the calf muscle - it is necessary to do a warming massage. The steam room is good for pain caused by the reasons mentioned above. Limb can be fixed elastic bandage. This helps strengthen muscle structures and distribute the load between fibers more evenly.

Case Features

Often pain is only the first manifestation of a problem. The pain occurs when walking, then goes away, but cramps appear during the night's rest. The cause of this condition may be dehydration, overstrain of muscle tissue, lack of mineral components and vitamins. If cramps appear first, and only then pain comes, it can persist for several days, disturbing both during movement and during periods of rest.

Perhaps, athletes and those who constantly face increased physical activity know best about pain in the legs. Jumping, running, walking too fast and for too long can cause pain. The cause of the condition is stretching of the fibers caused by sudden movements. To prevent pain, you need to warm up thoroughly before exercise. If this does not help, after training you need to rest your legs for several days.

Or am I sick?

Sometimes pain in the calf muscle area indicates illness. This phenomenon may indicate, for example, diabetes mellitus. Often the legs hurt in people suffering from atherosclerosis. With this disease, the vascular walls become denser, the tissues shrink, and pain occurs. The discomfort becomes especially strong if for a long time move around on foot. Atherosclerosis can be suspected if the feet are constantly cold, and the phenomenon does not depend on the level of environmental heating.

Diseases of the spinal column can provoke pain in the calf muscle when walking. The phenomenon is observed if the discs are displaced, a tumor process develops, osteochondrosis or other pathological lesions of the main supporting element of the human body are observed.

Myositis, the formation of an inflammatory focus, can cause pain. Pathologies of this kind are widespread and usually develop against the background of infection and the penetration of a virus into the body. In some cases, inflammation is associated with muscle strain or soft tissue injury. Myositis is quite serious and dangerous pathology, which must be treated under the supervision of a qualified doctor.

Causes and consequences: why do your legs hurt?

If you experience pain in the calf muscle when walking, the phenomenon may be due to thrombophlebitis. This term is usually used to characterize vascular damage, one of the manifestations of which is pain localized in the extremities. There may be a violation of the integrity and performance of elements of the peripheral nervous system. If the cause of pain is neuralgia, the sensations may come in fits and starts, but may be constant. Symmetrical pain is possible, but for some it occurs only in one leg.

Vein diseases can provoke pain. Thrombosis occurs most often; its main competitor in terms of prevalence is varicose veins. There is a possibility of osteomyelitis, infection skeletal system. If this is the reason, the patient is bothered by acute pain in the calf muscle.

The listed pathological conditions without adequate treatment lead to severe undesirable consequences. It will not be possible to treat these diseases at home without the supervision of a doctor - this is fraught with a worsening of the condition. If you suspect that you have any of the diseases described, you need to see a doctor as quickly as possible to determine the exact cause.

How to help yourself?

If your calf muscles hurt after running, while walking, or during prolonged exercise, you need to analyze the situation, understand when and why the sensations come, and suggest the root cause. For example, if it is obvious that pain appears due to training and prolonged walking, the volume of loads should be reconsidered. If there is reason to believe that a person is seriously ill, it would be wise to visit a doctor for an examination and an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, pain in the legs is the first signal indicating the need for urgent hospitalization. In some cases, the doctor may refer the patient for surgery. At chronic diseases, in some forms of pathologies, the best option would be conservative complex therapy.

Figuring out on your own how to treat pain in the calf muscles is very difficult, especially if you can’t see a doctor for a diagnosis. Self-medication almost always brings unsatisfactory results, the patient’s condition gradually worsens. If the pain comes suddenly, the sensations are very strong, you can take a painkiller and go to the local hospital, where the therapist will examine the limbs and refer you to a specialized specialist. If the pain is so severe that it is impossible to even walk, you should call a first aid team.

Activities and methods

Sometimes a sharp pain in the calf muscle at night is so strong that a person instantly wakes up, but cannot move - the pain is literally crippling, the sensations are strong to the point of tears. If such an attack recurs, do not hesitate to go to the doctor. Perhaps the reason is serious enough for the doctor to immediately prescribe therapy in a hospital setting. They may recommend agreeing to the operation. Surgery prescribed if studies show a tumor process, if the pain is associated with prolapse of a disc between the vertebrae or displacement of this element. In some cases, the help of a surgeon is required due to neurological disorders.

There are possible causes of pain in the calf muscle when walking, the course of which is chronic, and a complete cure cannot be achieved using even the most modern methods and methods. The doctor will select a supportive therapeutic course. If tests and studies show varicose veins, the doctor will advise you to constantly use special jersey. Stockings with a tightening effect help maintain blood vessels and muscles in an anatomically correct position and increase the efficiency of their functioning.

General measures

If your legs hurt after training, the sensation comes when walking, gets worse in the evening, you need to see a doctor and also practice general events aimed at improving the health of the limbs. The first and basic thing to do is normalize and stabilize your weight. Excess kilograms aggressively affect the condition of various internal systems and organs. If you manage to leave them in the past, blood flow improves, including in the limbs, and the load on the musculoskeletal system is reduced.

To improve your condition, you should eliminate alcohol and tobacco products. Prolonged static tension is harmful to a person, so it is necessary to eliminate prolonged standing in one position from your life. You should move more, but in moderation, without too sudden movements or shock loads. It would be reasonable to reconsider your work and rest schedule. Walking in the fresh air is considered beneficial for people of any age; they should be included in their daily routine.

Manifestations and diagnoses

If pain in the calf muscle when walking occurs in combination with a feeling of heaviness in the limbs, varicose veins are likely the cause. In general, vascular diseases are one of the most common reasons for patients visiting clinics. The pain is caused by improper outflow of blood flowing in the veins - this increases vascular pressure, the fluid stagnates, irritating elements of the nervous system.

If the pain is dull, your legs ache, your muscles ache, this is probably caused by prolonged stay in one position - standing, sitting. Due to improper distribution of the load, the blood stagnates, the performance of both veins and arteries is impaired, and certain areas lack oxygen and nutritional components necessary for normal functioning.

If the sensations are pulsating, thrombophlebitis may be suspected. The pain often transforms over time into a burning sensation. The sensations are constantly disturbing, affecting all limbs, but it is in the calf area that they are most pronounced.

Options and Feelings

If your legs hurt after a workout, it's most likely caused by overexertion. In this case, the pain is aching, but relatively short-lived. For several days after excessive exercise, pain may be a constant concern; the level of the syndrome is quite weak. This is especially common if a person exercises for the first time after a long pause.

The pain may be due to atherosclerosis. The disease is accompanied by a feeling of compression in the limbs, especially pronounced in the area of muscle tissue. With atherosclerosis, the lower leg hurts very much, and the sensation becomes stronger during movement.

If the cause of pain is vertebral diseases, then the syndrome is usually radiating, that is, it is not localized where it is felt, but only radiates to this area. At the same time, the spine is often not bothered by pain. This is often how sciatica manifests itself - an inflammatory process localized in the sciatic nerve.

Causes and consequences

Doctors repeat over and over again: if you have pain, you need to go to the clinic, where they will select, after first finding out the cause, treatment. at night, severe pain that occurs during periods of calm and when walking - possible options the appearance of diseases of the nervous system. The sensations come in attacks, between which no discomfort is noted. The duration of the attack varies from seconds to minutes.

The inflammatory process is the source of the most pronounced pain syndrome. This is possible against the background of the flu.

If your legs ache, the cause is probably overexertion or injury. Such sensations become stronger with movement. If the area is injured, there is open wound, the danger of the formation of an inflammatory focus, complicated by suppuration, increases. Purulent myositis is indicated by fever, chills, induration and swelling of the damaged area. Skin blush.

Nuances of symptoms

If they become a reason to contact the clinic in order to determine the cause and treatment of leg cramps at night and pain when walking, there is a possibility that the patient has developed osteomyelitis. In this case, the cause of pain is the affected pathological processes bones. Convulsions may occur due to prolonged physical activity. In this case, you can alleviate the condition by relaxing your limbs. It is necessary to take a sitting or lying position, change the position of your legs, massage the sore areas with your hands, and apply a cool, damp towel. You can walk barefoot on the cold ground.

If pain in the calf muscle requires treatment when walking, plus the pain syndrome covers the back of the head and back from below, spreading to the neck, shoulders, sternum, hips, you may have to deal with fibromyalgia. More often the disease affects the female half. The pathology is provoked and activated against the background of increased stress, rheumatism, and injury. Cold and humidity can cause deterioration.

Myopathy: subtleties

If, when making a diagnosis and choosing the appropriate treatment for pain in the calf muscle when walking, the patient was diagnosed with myopathy, it is necessary to determine the nature of the pathological condition. The disease can be neurogenic. If disorders associated with neurology are not identified, the cause may be metabolic disorders or inflammatory foci. There is a possibility of developing myopathy while taking medicines. This condition can be provoked by toxic substances entering the body, as well as infection. About 95% of cases occur with myositis, poly-, and dermatomyositis. They are more often observed if the body is affected by a systemic disease that disrupts the function and structure of connective fibers.

People suffering from heart and vascular diseases are more susceptible to drug-induced myopathies. Myopathy can develop due to the use of medications from the statin class. Treatment with Singal and Lovastatin is associated with increased risks. In addition, fibrates, which are actively used in the treatment of atherosclerosis, can provoke myopathy. When prescribing such a medication to a patient, the doctor usually immediately tells you what the first manifestations of drug-induced myopathy are and what needs to be done to help yourself. Recommendations will depend on the prescribed drug, the characteristics of the patient's condition and diagnosis.

Pain: can it be prevented?

There are certain preventive measures that help eliminate the occurrence of unpleasant pathologies. To ensure high-quality blood flow in the extremities, you should regularly do contrast foot baths. This measure helps if you are often bothered by cramps - it is used as an auxiliary measure in combination with the main treatment.

You should reconsider the shoes you use and eliminate any uncomfortable ones from your daily routine. The harm of high heels has long been proven - such products should be abandoned or their wearing should be reduced to a minimum. It is recommended to choose high-quality shoes made from good materials.

To minimize the risk of developing diseases of the extremities, in order to provide internal systems and organs with optimal functioning conditions, it is recommended to control your weight. Excess weight is bad for your blood flow. At the same time, it is important to eat well, providing the body with the necessary amount of protein structures. Doctors recommend consuming a minimum of salt and drinking plenty of water. A balanced diet and prevention of dehydration help eliminate the risk of cramps and pain in the legs.

Cramps are reflex muscle contractions that occur unexpectedly, causing discomfort or pain, making leg movements impossible. More and more people are turning to doctors with complaints that their calves are cramped. There are many reasons contributing to the disease. To establish the exact cause and prescribe treatment, you will need to trace all sorts of factors that can provoke cramping of the calf muscles. It is possible to treat spasms in the calf muscles with the help of modern medicine, folk remedies.

Contents [Show]

The main causes of calf muscle cramps

Depending on the cause of the calf reduction, it is necessary to find the correct solution to this problem. It is considered useful to engage in a set of exercises aimed at stretching muscles and tendons. If contraction of the calf muscles has become a frequent occurrence, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo an examination of the body. The solution will help you find dangerous diseases, timely treatment will prevent their development.

Statistics have shown that every second inhabitant of the planet faces this phenomenon. Most people do not notice such a nuisance. Often the cause of cramped legs is a lack of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Initially, you will need to compensate for the deficiency of these microelements. At high frequency manifestations, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Convulsive muscle contraction

Common causes of muscle spasms are:

Physical activity without warming up and stretching muscles;
Prolonged stress on the legs as a result of standing or sedentary work;
Stress accompanied by poor nutrition;
Failure in metabolic processes, as a result of which the muscles do not receive sufficient quantity oxygen;
A sharp drop in temperature causes constriction of blood vessels;
Inconvenient, incorrectly selected shoes;
Flat feet;
Hormonal imbalances;
ARVI;
Injuries;
Heat;
Drug poisoning.

In adulthood, the causes are: excess glucose in the body, slow metabolism, Parkinson's disease. It is extremely rare for calf cramps to occur due to serious illnesses: brain cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, thrombophlebitis.

An additional reason is impaired blood circulation in the lower extremities, when blood moves poorly through the veins. This happens due to a passive lifestyle and little physical activity. Neurology and diseases of the spine can be attributed to the causes of spasms of the calf muscles. There is a direct connection, since a pinched nerve due to difficulties with the spine produces an unpleasant sensation in the lower limb.

Cramp in shin

Why do my calves cramp when stretching?

If your calves cramp while stretching, the cause is probably a simple muscle spasm that occurs during sudden physical exertion. Such cases are especially often observed in women who spend a large amount of time on a high platform; the muscles are in a state of tension also during sleep.

There are several ways to avoid cramps: raise your leg up and pull your toe down. Or it is enough to simply massage the area of the spasm, and then smear the leg with a special medicinal ointment.

Cramps your calves when walking

If your calves cramp during walking, running, or swimming, you should pay attention and identify the factor causing the muscle contraction. The reason may not be a deficiency of microelements, but a circulatory disorder. In addition to normal flat feet, the cause is believed to be incipient varicose veins.

You can get rid of a cramp in several ways: pinch or prick the place where the cramp is cramped with a sharp object. However, you need to be extremely careful; there is a high probability of damage to blood vessels or infection. After the injection, it is recommended to actively massage the leg, then apply a special ointment.

Why do calf cramps occur in men?

More often, cramps among men are observed in athletes after intense physical exertion. The reason is a decrease in microelements and dehydration of the body due to increased sweating. Due to excessive consumption of sugar, nicotine and caffeine, a lack of essential muscle components occurs, causing the calf muscle to contract.

Muscle contraction in a man

Causes of calf muscle cramps in women

Certain factors are known to cause leg cramps in women. The main common reason is wearing high heels. To avoid cramps, it is recommended to wear shoes with low heels or alternate high platforms with low ones. Often cramps in the calves of pregnant women, mainly shortly before the birth of the baby, since the expectant mother’s body has a deficiency of microelements and vitamins, which are spent on the development of the fetus.

Treatment with elastic stockings will definitely help with varicose veins, which cause leg cramps. Stockings help keep blood vessels in a static position. It is not recommended to wear shoes with a high platform, use tight belts, or sit with one leg crossed over the other.

Why do my calves cramp at night?

The question often arises as to why the calves cramp at night - in the dark the muscles are not tense. At night, blood flow is disrupted, resulting in incorrect sleeping position or vascular problems. Any movement during sleep can cause a spasm. Patients often turn to doctors with complaints: sharp muscle spasms, acute pain that lasts for several minutes. Doctors are not clear exactly why cramps occur at night. Such seizures are called idiopathic. Indicates that the patient does not have apparent reason for such a condition to occur.

If a cramp occurs suddenly, it is recommended to change the position of the legs and allow the muscles to relax. Then the leg needs to be massaged and a cold compress applied.

A proper, balanced diet is a sure salvation in the fight against cramps. It is recommended to eat more natural products, give up fatty foods, avoid deficiencies of substances necessary for the body. In case of a lack of magnesium, potassium and calcium in the body, it is recommended to include apples, dried apricots, bananas, and cottage cheese in the diet. In addition to proper nutrition, taking vitamins will help. For example, vitamin D deficiency is quite capable of causing muscle contraction.

How to avoid calf muscle cramps

Most people feel in advance that a cramp will occur. It's worth trying to relax as much as possible. If you experience cramps in your calves, you will need to change your position. Try to lift the limb, then pull the sole towards the knee. After doing the exercise, sit down and pinch the location of the spasms. Try shifting your body weight onto the cramped leg. After a certain time, blood circulation and sensitivity in the legs will improve.

With sudden and prolonged leg cramps, immediate medical attention is required, and there is a risk of depression of vital functions, for example, breathing. Do not neglect treatment and examinations; complications are likely in the future.

Treatment of seizures

Treatment of seizures using folk remedies

If seizures are not frequent, and the cause cannot be identified, it is possible to do without the help of a doctor and resort to treatment with folk remedies:

When cramps in the calves of the legs often help, an effective method in folk medicine is rubbing the place where the spasm occurred using mustard oil.
Folk remedy: infuse 3/4 cup of dope seeds in 0.5 liters of 75% alcohol in a place out of direct sunlight for 30 days. If cramps occur, rub the disturbing area with cotton wool, after dipping it in the tincture. Yeast will help prevent cramps. To compensate for potassium deficiency, make a remedy from them.
Simple magnets will help with cramps; just place objects on the place where the spasm occurred. For treatment, it is recommended to prepare baths from special medicinal herbs: nettle, peppermint, wheatgrass, yarrow, shepherd's purse. Divide the listed herbs into equal parts. Pour 100 g of herbs into 250 ml of boiling water, place in a water bath, and boil for 20 minutes. Pour the resulting product into a container with water, the temperature of which does not exceed 38-40 degrees. Place your feet in the broth so that your calves are completely immersed, hold for 20 minutes. It is worth doing the procedure for 10 days in a row.

Treatment with folk remedies is much more profitable and a priority than with expensive medications.

It is permissible to perform exercises to prevent calf spasms in advance, aimed at improving blood circulation, stretching and relaxing muscles. If you carefully monitor the condition of the body and receive timely treatment, there is a high probability of avoiding spasms of the calf muscles.

Sometimes your calves may cramp during exercise. What to do in such a situation and how to prevent it? You will find out the answer in our article!

Often during training, the calf muscle cramps. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable that you have to stop training to rest and perform recovery exercises. What to do if your calf muscle cramps and how to prevent it?

A cramp is an attack of involuntary muscle contraction, which is accompanied by severe tension. According to statistics, about 75% of people suffer from leg cramps; for some, these are isolated cases, while others suffer from cramps in the calf muscles all the time. If spasms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the causes and treatment of this condition.

Why do seizures occur?

Cramps occur due to physical exertion, especially if it was sudden and too great, thermal effects (cold water), some people experience cramps even with sudden change weather.

Also, seizures can occur when a person undergoes any physiological changes (pregnancy, puberty, menopause). Biological changes cause changes in the levels of many substances in the blood, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. Convulsions sometimes accompany damage to the nervous system and stress.

Changing your diet can also trigger this condition; cramps are often experienced by those who abuse alcohol.

Seizures can be a manifestation of diseases such as spasmophilia, eclampsia, epilepsy, brain trauma and tumors, and inflammation.

Since the causes of cramps can be very serious diseases, if this illness occurs, you should consult a doctor.

Calf muscle cramps

Often, cramps in the calves occur in the morning when stretching in bed. There may be several reasons for this: lack of calcium, potassium and magnesium, varicose veins, flat feet. In athletes, cramps can occur due to heavy physical exertion and muscle fatigue. Stress, excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle also cause calf muscle cramps.

During training, a cramp may occur for the following reasons:

along with sweat, water leaves the body, which washes away potassium and calcium;
insufficient warm-up;
large volume of training;

What to do if your calf muscle cramps?

If in the gym you feel that your leg is cramping, your actions should be aimed at improving blood circulation to the cramped muscle. Squeeze the muscle tightly and press into its central part for 15-20 seconds index finger. Breathe deeply while doing this.

A spasm in the lower body can be relieved by squeezing firmly (without sharp pain) the middle of the lower lip for 30 seconds.

Also, during a cramp, you can do a massage that will relax the spasmed muscle, improve blood circulation and relieve spasm.

To quickly remove painful sensations If there is a spasm, you should stretch the contracted muscle. To do this, you can use the following exercise: stand facing the wall at a distance of one step, feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Place your hands above your head and lean against the wall. Step back in small steps, keeping your feet on the floor. Step back until you feel a stretch in your calf muscles. There should be no discomfort from stretching, so stop as soon as you start to feel pain and hold in this position for 30 seconds. To make the cramp go away faster, rub and pinch the cramped muscle.

Preventing calf muscle cramps

The most important point in preventing cramps and spasms is taking special additives and review of diet. As noted above, a lack of potassium, magnesium and calcium in the body provokes seizures. All this happens because a person often does not receive the daily dose of these substances from food. For those who suffer from cramps, it is recommended to take dietary supplements or medications with magnesium. Since this element is better absorbed in the presence of calcium, you should also take calcium supplements in combination with vitamin D, which improves its absorption.

The diet should be rich in fresh fruits and herbs. It is worth eating natural sources of calcium, magnesium and potassium every day. Drinking mineral water will also benefit.

Calcium - milk, cottage cheese, cheese, almonds
Magnesium - buckwheat porridge, walnuts, legumes
Potassium - dried apricots, raisins, beets, sunflower seeds, garlic.

Exercises to treat calf cramps

Certain physical exercise help fight and also prevent contraction of the calf muscles. Two types of exercises are used for this:

exercises that are performed when a cramp occurs to relieve spasm and relieve pain;
exercises that are performed to prevent seizures and reduce the frequency of their occurrence.

If your leg is cramped, massage and muscle stretching will help relieve pain and discomfort. The following exercises are suitable for relieving spasms.

Straighten your leg, place your foot so that the toe is turned towards the knee (for additional stretching of the cramped muscle, clasp your foot with your hands, pull the toe towards you).
Walk on your heels for a few minutes.
If cramps often cramp your leg, you should do exercises three times a day to prevent spasms in the calf muscle.
Stand against a wall about half a meter away. Lean forward, extend your arms and touch the wall, while keeping your feet on the floor. Maintain this position for a few seconds and relax. Do the exercise for five minutes.

To prevent cramps, a bodybuilder just needs to eat right and take vitamin and mineral supplements. If you take all the necessary measures for prevention, but seizures still occur, be sure to consult a specialist.

Cramps are a very unpleasant and painful muscle numbness that occurs involuntarily. These contractions vary in duration, intensity and distribution. In medicine, cramps are classified depending on their duration, degree of muscle involvement, and location.

There are many causes of seizures. Sometimes they are episodic and do not require special treatment.

But if cramps bother you quite often, then this may be a signal of some serious diseases.

Variants of seizures

Leg cramps at night

Leg cramps at night are especially unpleasant and painful. A sharp pain leads to awakening; the cramped muscle does not immediately stop hurting. Night cramps occur in both children and adults, but at the same time it should be noted that the age factor plays an important role in this regard.

Causes of night cramps can be:

Muscle fatigue;
Problems in the functioning of the nervous system;
Pregnancy period;
Certain diseases that result in decreased normal blood flow to the extremities;
Taking certain medications;
Flat feet;

There is an opinion that cramps at night are associated with a person’s posture in sleep: the knees are slightly bent and the feet are down. This provokes muscle shortening, resulting in painful spasms.

Toe cramps

Let's try to figure out why the feet cramp.

Toe cramps always occur abruptly and unexpectedly. Can pull one or several fingers at once. Possible reasons:

Wearing uncomfortable, tight shoes;
Hypothermia of the legs;
Lack of vitamins and microelements;
Disruption of normal blood circulation in the feet;

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Calf muscle cramps

Calf cramps are the most painful of all types of cramps. A few moments before the spasm, you can feel a slight tugging of the muscle.

The calf muscle cramps more often than all other muscle groups.

Symptoms of calf cramps:

Sharp pain;
The leg is very tense at the site of the spasm;
It is impossible to stand on your entire foot;
The muscles become very elastic and dense;

Causes of calf cramps:

Deficiency of vitamins and microelements;
Chronic fatigue as a result of prolonged standing, grueling activities sports;
Venous insufficiency;
Atherosclerosis;
Swelling of the legs;
Use of diuretics;
Diseases of the lumbar spine.

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Causes of seizures

Primary causes of seizures

Primary (idiopathic) seizures occur for no apparent reason. Presumably, the appearance of primary muscle spasms can be influenced by:

Muscle strain as a result of physical activity. If a person has spent the entire day on his feet without rest, is very tired while playing sports, has been carrying heavy objects, or has gone through long distance In uncomfortable shoes, muscle dysfunction occurs. In such cases, the likelihood of occurrence increases muscle spasm ov;
Sudden loss of blood circulation in the extremities;
Natural shortening of tendons that occurs in old age;
Uncomfortable posture during sleep;

Secondary causes of seizures

Secondary The causes of seizures are symptoms of certain diseases, as well as disorders in the functioning of the human body:

Magnesium deficiency

This trace element is necessary for the normal process of muscle contractions. Magnesium deficiency may be associated with poor diet.

Sometimes the cause of a deficiency of this microelement can be diseases that prevent the normal absorption of magnesium entering the body.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are:

insomnia, fatigue;
depression;
back pain;
frequent fractures and dislocations;
headache;
high blood pressure;
arthritis;
heart disease;
frequent convulsions and nervous tics of the eyes;

Calcium deficiency

Calcium is the physiological “partner” of magnesium.

Lack of calcium can also trigger seizures.

The main signs of calcium deficiency in the body include:

brittle and painful bones;
split ends, unhealthy hair, brittle nails;
unhealthy teeth;
loss of strength, irritability;
convulsions;

A deficiency of calcium and magnesium over time can lead to significant changes in the biochemical composition of the blood.

Lack of iron in the body (anemia)

Since iron is involved in oxygenating cells, its lack can trigger muscle spasms.

Glucose deficiency in the body

It can occur during diets, as well as as a result of using glucose-lowering drugs.

Sudden changes in human body temperature

Usually causes short-term convulsions. They can occur during the course of the disease, as well as as a result of sunstroke.

Irritation of the motor area of the brain

The area of the brain that is responsible for muscle contraction can be affected by nerve impulses:

with the flu;
during a stroke, as well as during the rehabilitation period after it;
with ARVI;
with alcohol poisoning;

Vascular diseases of the legs

During vascular diseases, normal blood flow is disrupted, as a result of which tissues do not receive the required amount of oxygen. Local hypoxia develops.

Diseases of the lower spine

During these diseases, nerve endings are pinched, which leads to impaired sensitivity of certain muscle groups.

High temperature outside the window

During the heat, the body loses a lot of fluid and salts through sweat, which can lead to cramps.

Taking hormonal contraceptives

Causes of frequent seizures

If cramps do not occur occasionally, but quite often, the reasons for this may be:

Muscle fatigue;
Excess weight;
Frequent stress and emotional tension;
Disturbances of the endocrine and nervous systems;

Frequent muscle spasms should never be ignored.

You should definitely consult a doctor, as regular seizures can be a sign of many serious illnesses.

Cramps in pregnant women

During pregnancy, almost all women complain of muscle spasms in the legs. This is a completely normal phenomenon that disappears without a trace after the birth of the baby. Causes of frequent cramps in expectant mothers:

Excess weight;
An enlarged uterus puts pressure on the vessels and nerve endings of the legs, resulting in impaired blood circulation;
Blood volume increases, causing swelling of blood vessels and tissues;
Predisposition to varicose veins;
High need for vitamins and microelements;
Changes in hormonal status.

Seizures in children

In children, the occurrence of seizures is most often associated with active growth and development of the whole organism. The main causes of spasms in children are:

Hypothermia of the legs;
Flat feet;
Lack of vitamins;
Keeping your legs in an uncomfortable position for a long time;

Diagnostics

If you have regular seizures, you should definitely see a doctor. First you need to visit a therapist who will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary tests.

Perhaps the doctor will refer you for consultation to another specialist: a neurologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist.

If any disease turns out to be the cause of the spasms, then after a course of treatment the spasms should go away. If no diseases are found that could cause the spasms, you just need to follow simple preventive recommendations.

Ways to deal with leg cramps

This problem can and should be dealt with.

You just need to eliminate the cause that causes the cramps.

Over time, only memories will remain of painful spasms.

Advice for those who want to get rid of cramps once and for all:

It is necessary to review and diversify your diet;
Exercise moderately, avoid overexertion;
Do not abuse diuretics;
Perform simple stretching exercises;

How to give first aid

There is no need to panic if your legs cramp at night. You need to relax and breathe deeply to improve blood supply to the tissues;
Next, you need to carefully stand on the floor, put your feet together and straighten your back;
You can pull your foot towards you. It will hurt, but a little patience is required. When the muscle stretches a little, the spasm will go away;
If the cramp does not go away, you can pinch your leg and rub it;
Massage with warming ointment helps;
After the attack has passed, you need to lie down so that your legs are higher than your head;

It often happens that a cramp cramps your leg in water: at sea, in the pool. This is quite dangerous, so you need to know how to act in such cases. If your leg cramps in the pool, you need to stop swimming. If a spasm seizes a muscle at a depth in the sea, the actions should be as follows:

Roll over from your stomach to your back;
Try to pull your foot towards you;
If the cramp does not go away, an injection with a pin will help, which must be pinned to a swimsuit or swimming trunks just in case;

Cramps most often occur in cold water. You should not swim in water whose temperature is below 18 degrees.

Prevention measures

This problem can be avoided by following these recommendations:

Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes;
Avoid excessive stress on your legs;
Do exercises in the morning;
Reduce the amount of coffee you drink;
Massage your feet regularly;
A contrast shower helps a lot;
A varied diet will saturate the body with vitamins and microelements;

Let's summarize:

Cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that can occur in both children and adults.
The causes of seizures can be a lack of vitamins in the body, certain diseases, as well as physical activity.
Most often, cramps occur at night.
During pregnancy, muscle spasms bother almost all women and do not require special treatment.
Convulsions in children are associated with the growth and development of the whole organism.
Diagnosis of seizures is very important, as it helps to identify certain diseases.
It is important to know how to provide first aid during a seizure. Muscle spasms are especially dangerous when swimming in the pool or at sea.
If you carry out simple preventive measures, you can avoid this extremely unpleasant phenomenon.

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Video where you can familiarize yourself with the causes of leg cramps and consider treatment methods:

Pain in the calves, discomfort in the muscles and cramps are quite common. Many people don’t even pay attention when something like this happens, and doctors are in no hurry to become wary when patients with such symptoms come to them. If you have cramps in your calves, the cause most often lies in hypocalcemia or hypokalemia. A lack of calcium and potassium is observed in 75% of people who experience cramps in their calves. As a rule, it is enough to compensate for the deficiency of these substances, and everything will fall into place. But there are some nuances.

Calf cramps - treatment and prevention

Potassium and calcium are microelements that interfere with the absorption of each other. That is, if a person has too many foods containing calcium in his diet (hard cheeses, cottage cheese, milk and fish), then potassium will be absorbed worse and a deficiency will occur. If you eat a lot of legumes, cabbage, greens, bananas and other foods rich in potassium, you will experience a calcium deficiency. Therefore, if you often have cramps in your calves, you most likely need to reconsider your diet. First of all, try to eat foods high in calcium and potassium at different times of the day. Since magnesium helps potassium to be absorbed well, you can add foods high in this microelement to your diet.

If your calves cramp when stretching

If your calves cramp when stretching, there is a possibility that the cause lies in a short-term muscle spasm, which indicates high physical exertion. If you've been on your feet all day, especially in high heels, strained calf muscles remain tense even during sleep. When you are already rested and full of strength, the muscles just begin to relax and straighten, a spasm occurs. In the mornings, it cramps the leg muscles of salespeople, flight attendants, ballerinas and representatives of other professions with high loads.

A simple exercise will help you cope with a cramp: you need to lift your leg up and pull the toe of your foot towards you. If your calves are cramping very badly and it’s difficult to stand up or even sit down, try stretching the muscle with your hands, pinching it, or pricking it. As soon as the spasm passes, apply warming ointment to your calves.

If your calves cramp when walking

In the case when cramps appear directly during walking, swimming, or other physical activity, the reasons may be not only a calcium or potassium deficiency, but also a circulatory disorder. Sometimes cramps in the calves when walking in women predisposed to varicose veins, which helps to detect the disease in time and take all necessary measures to prevent it from progressing. The cause may also be banal flat feet.

There are several ways to quickly get rid of cramps:

Prick the area with a pin or pinch it firmly.

Stand on your sore leg, rise onto your toes, then lower onto your heel and tuck your toes.

Give an intense massage with a warming agent.

If you are interested in prevention, adhere to the following rules:

Keep your feet and calves warm.

Eat right, take extra vitamins and minerals if necessary.

Avoid high stress on your feet and wear high heels less often.

Get a routine check-up with your doctor every six months.

If you often cramp your calves

If you have read this article and the question of why your calves are cramping remains unanswered, it’s time to see a doctor. This happens quite rarely, but sometimes seizures are symptoms of neurological diseases, such as epilepsy. Or they indicate a brain tumor and other serious diseases. If you were unable to cope with the problem on your own, do not take risks, consult a professional.

Also, such cramps are a common occurrence in pregnant women. Due to a lack of vitamins and minerals, as well as increased weight, pregnant women also experience cramps in their calves. If this is the reason, please accept our congratulations, everything is fine with you!

Leg cramps can occur for various reasons. The general state of health, age, pregnancy and other factors influence. We apply an individual approach and treatment to each case.

Leg cramps - what are they?

Convulsive manifestations can be characterized by unexpected spasms, sharp, sudden pain, numbness in the limbs caused by improper muscle contractions.

The feet or calf muscle mass are primarily affected. Relief occurs only after they relax. Such painful conditions are classified depending on their duration and frequency.

Types of seizures

The most common types of spasms are tonic and clonic.

The 1st option lasts longer, the 2nd is characterized by short-term attacks: no more than 5 minutes.

Tonic convulsions

Such convulsions can take hold various parts bodies. Manifestations related to the calf muscles, foot and toes are called “crumples”. The sensations they cause are very painful.

Clonic seizures

Rapidly alternating states of tension and relaxation of muscle structures accompany excitation of the cerebral cortex.

Types of muscle spasms

Convulsive pain is also classified according to its area of coverage.

Localized spasms

This option affects a specific area, increasing its muscle tone. The first emergency aid provided to a patient with a tonic type of localized spasm: eliminating all light, noise and sound stimuli, providing the patient with complete rest.

Generalized spasms

When pain affects the entire body or most of it, doctors call this type generalized. In this case, a simultaneous reduction of all covered areas occurs. There can be many reasons: epilepsy, vascular diseases, brain tumors and others.

Leg cramps: which doctor should I contact?

Seeing a specialist is especially necessary if a person experiences leg cramps quite often. The reasons why they occur should not be attempted to be determined on your own.

The therapist will prescribe an examination for the patient, and based on its results, the appropriate medical profile will be selected within which treatment will continue.

What causes cramps in the leg muscles at night - the reasons why the legs cramp, the legs grab

There are several causes of night cramps.

Dehydration

Violation of the water balance can result in the necessary ions, microelements and other substances leaving the body along with the liquid. This condition can often occur when increased sweating, but with a small amount of water consumed. Improper dieting also has a detrimental effect.

Diuretics

The same situation can be provoked by irregular use of diuretics. This phenomenon is especially common in older people.

Lack of microelements and vitamins

Another common reason: lack of nutrients:

magnesium;

potassium;

calcium (poorly absorbed due to lack of magic);

B vitamins (often lacking in those who do not eat meat);

sodium

High body temperature

Leg cramps at elevated temperatures usually occur in young children. Their nature is still little studied, but there is an assumption that they are associated with unstable functioning of the nervous system.

Muscle fatigue

Overloading the muscles often leads to nighttime cramps. The risk of this type of convulsive lesion increases with active sports activities, and if a person’s work involves heavy loads during the day.

Stress

The phenomenon is explained by the fact that in stressful situations people become deficient in calcium.

The latter in turnresponsible for relaxing muscle tissue.

Osteochondrosis

Leg diseases are associated with disorders in lumbar region spine. Leg cramps are no exception. This consequence is a complication of osteochondrosis.

Pathological changes in blood vessels

When the structure of blood vessels changes, as happens with varicose veins, cramps may occur at night. They are characterized by pulling sensations, sharp pain and “petrification”.

Stroke

Poor blood circulation in the brain does not go away without leaving a trace: many cells die and cystic cavities form.

Dying tissue causes cramping pain.

Other diseases

The above ailments are only a small part of the possible explanations for seizures. Accurate diagnosis Only the attending physician can diagnose.

Cramps in the calves and toes during pregnancy - causes

The period of bearing a baby is a joyful event, but at the same time overshadowed by various unpleasant symptoms. The expectant mother experiences leg cramps for general reasons, since many hidden diseases occur during pregnancy different areas appear.

Varicose veins become stronger and vascular diseases make themselves felt. In addition to this, the load on the lower body increases, because the growing belly puts more and more pressure every day.

But it is not at all necessary that spasms occur in a pregnant woman due to any disease. If they become noticeable in the second and third trimesters, then the reason is a lack of calcium. This substance begins to be actively absorbed at night. Mothers often do not have enough of it, since the child takes most of it for himself - hence the cause of night pain.

Gynecologists, starting from the 2nd trimester, prescribe calcium and magnesium B6 to support the body. The latter drug is used several times in courses to improve the absorption of the 1st component, and is taken before bedtime.

Leg cramps in a child - causes

For a growing body, such painful muscle contractions pose a great danger. The risk of injury to a limb during an attack increases.

Convulsive mobility also occurs in infants: in appearance it is similar to a nervous tic. For the child, the attack is painless, but it serves as a reason to contact the pediatrician because it is not the norm.

In children under 1 year of age, such symptoms may indicate a delay mental development and other serious violations. Teenagers who suffer from seizures often have problems related to the nervous system.

Causes of cramps in the calf muscle when stretching the legs

One of the most likely causes of calf spasm during a lift is considered to be poor circulation in this area.

Why does my legs cramp in water?

While swimming in a lake or river, you may feel sharp pain and numbness in your leg. This effect is dangerous because, without feeling the limbs, it is difficult to stay on the surface for a long time, and if trouble occurs at great depths, then the person risks drowning. This is due to hypothermia of muscle tissue.

The temperature in the reservoir should not be lower than 18 degrees, otherwise a sharp drop will cause the muscle to contract. The correct behavior in such a situation is to pull the foot forward, which causes the calf to relax. This process is painful, but necessary. Feeling relief, you should immediately move towards the shore.

Leg cramps in athletes (after physical activity)

Such consequences most often occur with intense training aimed at a specific part of the body. The muscles become “heavy”, hard to the touch, and cannot be relaxed.

Inexperienced athletes who neglect important principles when performing physical exercises, such as warming up and gradually increasing the load, end up with cramps in the lower extremities.

Leg cramps after drinking alcohol

Moderate consumption alcoholic products does not provoke any consequences, but when it turns into chronic form, alcoholic seizures may occur. This happens when a dependent person is suddenly deprived of a strong drink. Statistics show that 10% of all alcoholics suffer from this symptom. The pain in the legs is pulling and squeezing.

What to do if your leg cramps and won’t let go - how to quickly relieve a leg cramp

The first thing to do when the syndrome begins is to establish correct, even breathing and enter a state of rest. There is a common misconception that you need to prick your leg with a needle, but this technique is questionable and unsafe.

The injection carries the risk of infection under the skin. In addition, the short pain that it causes should provoke a reflex contraction, and not relaxation of the muscle.

Effective methods include warm-up, compresses, and massage. Last method has some limitations: it should not be used for varicose veins.

Massage of calf muscles and toes

Plus this method lies in the possibility of independent influence. It is a good preventive measure, but during the period of exacerbation you should act with caution so as not to harm the soft tissues.

Regardless of the reasons, when you have leg cramps, you need to perform light stroking with your palms, starting from the bottom.

Improves the state of patting.

Having found a point in the center of the foot, you should apply circular movements with your thumb.

You need to shake the muscle from side to side.

Easy leg exercises: flexion-extension

While sitting, you should smoothly bend and straighten your toes.

Then make circular movements with your feet.

Raise your legs one by one and pull your toes towards the floor.

In the same position, they “step” from heel to toe and back.

Standing up, leaning your hands on a chair, stand on the toe of your left leg and bend your right knee. Then repeat the same for the other side.

Hot compress or heating pad

Applying a hot surface is one of the most effective means to relieve cramping pain. It helps to dilate blood vessels and relax the overstressed area.

It should be remembered that the duration of exposure should be moderate to avoid skin burns. It is also important to take into account the general condition: do not use a heating device or compresses at elevated temperatures if there is suppuration.

Why does my leg hurt after a cramp?

Residual pain may last more than one week. It is associated with a lack of oxygen, circulatory disorders, overexertion and other situations. This phenomenon often occurs in older people, but young people can also be susceptible to it, especially pregnant women and professional athletes.

Treatment of leg cramps in old age

According to statistics, 50% of older people complain of leg cramps. The reasons why this happens are related to diseases and lack of microelements. The emergency doctor diagnoses this phenomenon, provides first aid and explains further actions to the patient.

Depending on the identified disease, the specialist prescribes appropriate medications and vitamins.

Treatment of leg cramps with medications

It is important to understand that medications do not act on the cramping pain itself, but on what causes it. Since these situations can be different and located in different areas, medications are prescribed individually.

Tablets for leg cramps: potassium and magnesium preparations (asparkam, panangin, magnerot)

Medicines containing potassium and magnesium various forms, there are quite a lot: from ordinary vitamin complexes to potent chemicals.

Asparkam Sold in tablet form or liquid injection. Its use is indicated for muscle overload and other disorders. Contraindications relate to kidney and bladder diseases. During pregnancy, the medicine is allowed to be used, but with caution.

Panangin- This is an analogue that, among other abnormalities, specializes in restoring the proper functioning of the heart. Before use, you should familiarize yourself with its contraindications and side effects, consult your doctor.

Magnerot– another remedy that supplies magnesium to the body. Its peculiarity is that the method of its delivery is convenient for absorption and penetration directly into muscle tissue.

Calcium for leg cramps

Lack of calcium causes night cramps in the legs. The reasons for its deficiency and poor digestibility lie in insufficient consumption or an imbalance in human body. The daily norm of a microelement for a woman or man ranges from 450 to 800 mg. During pregnancy, this figure increases to 1500 mg. For a person involved in sports, the minimum value is one thousand mg.

For babies up to 6 months, it is enough to consume 400 mg of the substance, and for older children – 600. Starting from the 1st year, the required amount corresponds to 800 mg.

What vitamins to take for leg cramps

Vitamin complex required for use:

B1 eliminates oxygen starvation of muscles;

B2 responsible for conducting nerve impulses;

B6– an element involved in the construction of cells, especially useful for infants;

B12 regulates biochemical processes, saturates with oxygen;

E dilates blood vessels, reduces the viscosity of the blood flow;

D restores the balance between potassium and magnesium.

What ointments help with leg cramps: heparin ointment, troxevasin gel, ointments based on horse chestnut

Various gels are used for relief and treatment.

Heparin ointment improves venous blood flow, which is why it is prescribed to people with varicose veins. It is rubbed into the skin twice or thrice a day for 10 days.

Troxevasin is a broad-spectrum gel that has virtually no contraindications and is effective for leg cramps. The reasons for this action are active substance of natural origin. Experts call the ban on use the 1st trimester of pregnancy and individual intolerance to the component.

Ointments based on horse chestnut are deservedly popular. This plant has properties that have a beneficial effect on areas affected by spasms. In addition to it, chestnut ointment relieves swelling, improves blood circulation, and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

Glycerin to relieve leg cramps

How aid Pharmacy glycerin is suitable. Rub it on your calves and fingers at night, like a regular cream.

Drinking water for leg cramps

In addition to nutrition, the drinking regime should also be regulated. The amount of fluid you drink per day should be 2 or 3 liters. This includes juices, compotes, fruit drinks, water, green tea. The consumption of black tea and coffee should be limited. There is also no need to abuse drinks that have a diuretic effect to avoid the loss of essential microelements.

Treatment of night leg cramps with folk remedies

Except medications, folk remedies are widely used.

Apple vinegar

This product is prepared in combination with honey and water and drunk by a person to prevent a night attack. For 1 tbsp. liquid requires 2 tbsp. l. vinegar.

Lemon juice

The folk method using lemon is useful in case of foot diseases. The sole of the foot is lubricated with the squeezed juice, and after drying on its own, a sock is put on. This procedure should be carried out twice a day for 2 weeks.

Bay leaf infused in vegetable oil

To treat leg cramps in folk medicine, a tincture is used bay leaf in oil. The reason for use may also be fatigue of the lower extremities. Greens are taken in proportions of 1 to 5 parts of the oil component.

You can use various vegetable oils: sunflower, olive, flax and others. It is recommended to infuse the product in a dark place for at least 2 weeks. Apply to sore areas until improvement occurs.

Alcohol tincture of lilac

Lilac flowers infused with vodka have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

But it is worth remembering that when the glycoside syringin (a substance contained in lilac) breaks down, hydrocyanic acid is formed, and it is toxic.

Balanced diet for leg cramps

The daily menu should include products such as cottage cheese and cheese. Beans are also a good source of calcium. Nutrition experts recommend drinking a glass of milk at night.

Muscles need silicon to relax. Garlic is rich in it, so this vegetable should be eaten at dinner.

To replenish magnesium in the diet, you need to include parsley, dill, green onions, seaweed, dried apricots, dates, and figs.

The causes of leg cramps are very diverse. Sometimes it is difficult to identify them without special examinations, so it is necessary to seek help from a qualified specialist.

Videos about leg cramps

Leg cramps. Causes and treatments:

Leg cramps. Causes and simple treatments:

Contents [Show]

The main causes of calf muscle cramps

Depending on the cause of the calf reduction, it is necessary to find the correct solution to this problem. It is considered useful to engage in a set of exercises aimed at stretching muscles and tendons. If contraction of the calf muscles has become a frequent occurrence, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo an examination of the body. The solution will help to find dangerous diseases, and timely treatment will prevent their development.

Statistics have shown that every second inhabitant of the planet faces this phenomenon. Most people do not notice such a nuisance. Often the cause of cramped legs is a lack of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Initially, you will need to compensate for the deficiency of these microelements. If the frequency of manifestations is high, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Convulsive muscle contraction

Common causes of muscle spasms are:

Physical activity without warming up and stretching muscles;
Prolonged stress on the legs as a result of standing or sedentary work;
Stress accompanied by poor nutrition;
Failure in metabolic processes, as a result of which the muscles do not receive enough oxygen;
A sharp drop in temperature causes constriction of blood vessels;
Inconvenient, incorrectly selected shoes;
Flat feet;
Hormonal imbalances;
ARVI;
Injuries;
Heat;
Drug poisoning.

Cramp in shin

Why do my calves cramp when stretching?

There are several ways to avoid cramps: raise your leg up and pull your toe down. Or it is enough to simply massage the area of the spasm, and then smear the leg with a special medicinal ointment.

Cramps your calves when walking

Why do calf cramps occur in men?

Muscle contraction in a man

Causes of calf muscle cramps in women

The question often arises as to why the calves cramp at night - in the dark the muscles are not tense. At night, blood flow is disrupted, resulting in incorrect sleeping position or vascular problems. Any movement during sleep can cause a spasm. Patients often turn to doctors with complaints: sharp muscle spasms, acute pain that lasts for several minutes. Doctors are not clear exactly why cramps occur at night. Such seizures are called idiopathic. It means that the patient has no apparent reason for the occurrence of such a condition.

If a cramp occurs suddenly, it is recommended to change the position of the legs and allow the muscles to relax. Then the leg needs to be massaged and a cold compress applied.

A proper, balanced diet is a sure salvation in the fight against cramps. It is recommended to eat more natural foods, avoid fatty foods, and avoid deficiencies of substances necessary for the body. In case of a lack of magnesium, potassium and calcium in the body, it is recommended to include apples, dried apricots, bananas, and cottage cheese in the diet. In addition to proper nutrition, taking vitamins will help. For example, vitamin D deficiency is quite capable of causing muscle contraction.

How to avoid calf muscle cramps

Treatment of seizures

Treatment of seizures using folk remedies

If seizures are not frequent, and the cause cannot be identified, it is possible to do without the help of a doctor and resort to treatment with folk remedies:

When cramps in the calves of the legs often help, an effective method in folk medicine is rubbing the place where the spasm occurred using mustard oil.
Folk remedy: infuse 3/4 cup of dope seeds in 0.5 liters of 75% alcohol in a place out of direct sunlight for 30 days. If cramps occur, rub the disturbing area with cotton wool, after dipping it in the tincture. Yeast will help prevent cramps. To compensate for potassium deficiency, make a remedy from them.
Simple magnets will help with cramps; just place objects on the place where the spasm occurred. For treatment, it is recommended to prepare baths from special medicinal herbs: nettle, peppermint, wheatgrass, yarrow, shepherd's purse. Divide the listed herbs into equal parts. Pour 100 g of herbs into 250 ml of boiling water, place in a water bath, and boil for 20 minutes. Pour the resulting product into a container with water, the temperature of which does not exceed 38-40 degrees. Place your feet in the broth so that your calves are completely immersed, hold for 20 minutes. It is worth doing the procedure for 10 days in a row.

Treatment with folk remedies is much more profitable and a priority than with expensive medications.

Complaints about what drives

at night are not uncommon. This condition accompanied by painful sensations, which does not allow a person to get a good night's sleep. This can be heard more often from older people, but the possibility of seizures in young people cannot be ruled out.

Causes of pain at night in the calves

If you experience regular spasms in your calf muscles, you should definitely see a specialist. The causes of night cramps can be different.

To determine the cause of seizures, you need to analyze your lifestyle for the degree of presence of predisposing factors in everyday life.

Prolonged stress, irregular nutrition. Both the first and second lead to a decrease in blood sugar. Muscles feed on glucose. Its deficiency can cause a decrease in the level of electrolytes, as a result of which cramps appear.

Excessive physical stress. The reason for cramping your calves may be intense exercise. This is especially true in cases where the muscles were not ready for this. Both beginners with poor training and professional athletes can face a similar problem. Therefore, it is important to increase the load on the limbs gradually.

Sedentary or standing work. Both options can cause night cramps. In the case of sedentary work, immobility helps slow blood circulation and the flow of nutrients into the intercellular spaces of the muscles. In the case of standing work, on the contrary, the leg muscles are in a state of static tension for a long time.

Metabolic disease. As a result, the muscle mass may experience a lack of oxygen and nutrition, which explains why the calves are cramped.

Caffeine abuse. When consumed more than 5 cups per day strong tea or coffee, cramping of the calf muscles may occur.

Wearing uncomfortable shoes. During the day, the leg muscles become very tired, and at night they cannot relax.

Abrupt refusal of alcohol. When alcohol addiction, a sudden refusal of such drinks may be accompanied by convulsions.

Atherosclerosis of leg vessels. With such a diagnosis, contraction of the calf muscles can be observed not only at night, but also during the day while walking.

Elderly age. Slow metabolism, lack of glucose, and incipient Parkinson's disease can cause seizures.

What to do if you have calf muscle cramps

In order to prevent relapses of cramping conditions of the calf muscles, it is necessary to eliminate the provoking factors.

valerian

Calming fees.

Mint tea is very soothing.

It is imperative to adjust your diet. Meals should be taken at approximately the same time.

You cannot do without monitoring physical activity. You should try to do only feasible exercises. Daily kneading of the muscles of the lower extremities is encouraged.

For spasms positive effect gives self-massage. It should be done not only at critical moments, but also throughout the day. After the massage, a cold compress on the skin of the legs is useful.

If the cause of calf muscle cramps is any serious disease, it is necessary to treat it. Taking medications should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. After recovery, the spasms will disappear on their own.

Sources:

Why do my calves cramp?

There are probably quite a few people who are familiar first-hand with such an unpleasant phenomenon as leg cramps. Sometimes it is really difficult to figure out why it drives legs.

Instructions

Leg cramps that sometimes occur can be of a different nature. Their origin can be peripheral (not cerebral) or central (i.e. cerebral) in nature. The main cause of seizures of peripheral origin is increased excitability of muscle and nerve cells, which in turn is caused by a lack of calcium or sodium chloride, insufficient supply to the brain,

and muscles with oxygen and glucose.

It is the lack of calcium that explains the occurrence of seizures

in pregnant women

Part of the calcium leaves the body in the urine; when diuretics are used, a very significant portion is taken by the developing fetus. In general, cramps are one of the most harmless (so to speak) manifestations associated with a lack of calcium in the body.

A lack of sodium chloride can be caused by significant physical activity (for example, when playing sports).

Convulsions of central origin occur, as a rule, with chronic changes and organic damage to the brain and manifest themselves in such serious diseases as, for example,

epilepsy

Myoclonic spasms, etc.

Insufficient supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain, nerves and muscles can occur during intense sports (when all glucose reserves are exhausted), while swimming in cold water (muscles seem to do double work), during and after sleeping in an uncomfortable position (

legs numb

Blood supply is disrupted)

during pregnancy

When the developing fetus is taken from the body

iron. At the same time, the hemoglobin level

goes down

Blood supply

getting worse

Another possible cause is diabetes. The occurrence of seizures indicates that the brain, nerve tissue and muscles are starving because the blood vessels are not able to properly supply them with nutrition.

Another possible cause of cramps is flat feet. Try using special orthopedic insoles - arch supports (it is advisable to use custom-made insoles rather than store-bought ones).

Do special exercises for your feet every day. While sitting or lying down, bend and straighten your feet. Start with 10 -12 movements and increase to 60 - 70. Perform 3 - 4 times a day. All recommendations must be agreed with your doctor.

Convulsions of central origin are usually caused by chronic changes and organic damage to the brain and can manifest themselves in such serious diseases as, for example, epilepsy, myoclonic convulsions, etc.

From all of the above, we can conclude: convulsions of peripheral origin are an unpleasant phenomenon, but in

legs In x cases, removable. If they happened to you repeatedly and without

visible reasons

Don't put off visiting your doctor.

convulsions involuntary contraction of the muscles of the whole body or individual muscle groups occurs. The most common cause of this is poor blood supply, lack of calcium in the body or poor absorption of calcium, parathyroid insufficiency or exposure to cold.

convulsions muscles of the upper body, such as the forearm or finger

Squeeze with thumb and forefinger

the other hand, the upper lip in the middle. If

spasm

cramps the muscles of the lower body, or a toe or lower lip. Or simply bite your upper or lower lip depending on the location of the spasm. Thus, alternately contract and relax the muscle several times. This will increase blood circulation and

will stop

cramp. Try to grab the cramped muscle. Press your index finger as deeply as possible into its protruding central part for 20-25 seconds and at the same time take several deep breaths to improve blood circulation. It will help

cramp and soft

spasmodic muscle, relaxing muscle fibers. To do this, apply a little oil (sesame or mustard) on it and massage lightly. After rubbing with oil, apply a warm diaper or cover yourself with a warm blanket. Try to stretch the cramped muscle by pulling your foot towards you. Then knead it to release any residual tension and prick the skin over the contracted muscle with a sharp object. Good

helps

acupressure. Thumb press the calf muscle where it meets the tendon, gradually increasing

pressure

After this, press for a few seconds on the point located in the middle of the popliteal fossa. This method is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women. Use a hot compress with marjoram, lavender or ginger oil. To do this, add one or two drops of any of these oils to a saucepan with

hot water

Dampen a piece of cloth with this solution, wring it out and apply it to your cramped leg. Consult a doctor immediately if the cramps are associated with poor circulation and they do not go away within an hour.

Many people know firsthand about foot diseases. Among the leaders in unpleasant sensations caviar. After all, when the leg muscles cramp, it is very painful - you can’t turn around, stand up, or sit down. All actions are accompanied by tension and unpleasant sensations. And there are many reasons for such diseases.

Pregnant women often suffer

Due to the increasing stress on the body and double consumption healthy salts and minerals

mothers have an insufficient amount of calcium. This leads to cramps and pain in the

legs As a rule, the situation is corrected by taking vitamins and additional mineral complexes. The so-called potassium supplement also helps in this case.

When you need to eat more bananas, kiwi and honey. In addition, muscle cramps can also be observed in cases where

person

chronic disease develops venous insufficiency. This causes the veins to become pinched, function poorly and give off strong

at the bottom of the leg. Before starting treatment and to confirm the diagnosis, it is recommended to do an ultrasound of the veins, Doppler or scan. Then the phlebologist will prescribe treatment. In some cases, pain

This is a signal that there is overstrain or frustration blood pressure. Such manifestations can be removed by correct balanced diet with a high content of greens, fruits and dairy products. Normalize your blood pressure and relax. And the pain will go away. In addition to treatment, you can relieve emerging pain with additional

means

For example, massage. Gently stroke the cramped limb. Then gradually massage your leg with very light pressure. This is needed to relieve vasospasm. Alternatively, try to relieve pain with a bath of warm water. To do this, fill the bathtub with water level up to

and place your feet in it. Stroke them lightly

under the water

The moisture will relax the muscles and relieve spasms. Which in turn will eliminate pain. It is also recommended to use herbal teas. You just need to drink them very carefully. Choose only those that do not have a diuretic effect, otherwise you risk leaching out even more calcium, thereby worsening your leg problems.

Leg cramps are a fairly common phenomenon, which is an involuntary frequent contraction of muscles. It is always sudden and accompanied by very strong pain.

Unexpected convulsive tensions (tonic convulsions) often last up to three minutes or more and occur during monotonous sedentary work, when the muscle nerve is pinched in the muscle canal, long walking, or during hypothermia while swimming in cold water or in winter. In addition, cramps can begin due to excessive stress on the leg muscles, insufficient warm-up or increasing the volume of training. Such phenomena can also be observed in healthy people.

The cause of tonic localized seizures can also be a violation of the biochemical or electrolyte composition of the blood. They are formed when the body loses significant salts, which develops when the amount of calcium, potassium or magnesium in the blood decreases, as well as when there is a lack of vitamin D.

Calf muscle cramps may be a consequence of severe anemia. This most often occurs in pregnant women, when there is a particular deficiency of iron, which is part of hemoglobin. This disrupts the exchange minerals, external manifestation which is what leg muscle cramps are.

If a person’s legs hurt and swell for a long time, he experiences a feeling of heaviness, which causes cramps that become permanent over time, this may indicate the development of varicose veins. Varicose veins are also common among expectant mothers, when the growing uterus puts pressure on the lower sex and iliac veins. As a result, varicose pressure increases.

Often the cause of leg cramps can be a focus of irritation in the motor area of the brain. This phenomenon is most common with the onset of a stroke or during its development, as well as with infectious lesions of the nervous system (influenza, ARVI).

Cramps in the limbs are often observed with local hypoxia (lack of oxygen) due to vascular disorders in them, as well as with changes in innervation in spinal osteochondrosis. The nerve roots are compressed and the function of the motor nerves is impaired.

Sometimes leg cramps occur due to diseases of the nervous system (neurosis, tetanus). In some patients, they develop or intensify due to external irritation (when the leg is pricked with a needle, alcohol abuse and poisoning). The above diseases require careful monitoring by the attending physician.

Sources:

why do my legs cramp?

There are people who experience cramps in the calf

Oh. This is a fairly common and unpleasant phenomenon. Most often, this disease begins unexpectedly. Therefore, it will be useful to learn how to get rid of such spasms quickly and easily.

You will need

- crow's feet grass 1 tbsp;
- lemon juice.

Instructions

To relieve pain and discomfort

during spasm

It is necessary to stretch the cramped muscle. To do this, stand a step away from the wall, facing it. Place your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Place your palms against the wall above your head. Move backwards in small steps, while

should not come off the floor. Do these movements until you feel that

muscle stretched

Don't overdo it, don't let it appear discomfort. Stay in this position for approximately

Then pinch and rub

limb

During cramps in the calf muscles, massage. With your thumb, press the point in the middle of the muscle, gradually increasing the pressure. After this, press on the area in the popliteal fossa for a few seconds. This massage is contraindicated

pregnant women

If a spasm occurs when swimming in cool water, take a few

physical

exercises. IN

You should warm up your muscles to increase blood flow to them. It’s good if you have a pin or needle with you. Stab her where it hurts. This irritation of the muscle will stop the spasm.

To prevent seizures, every day for two

Lubricate your feet with freshly squeezed lemon juice. A hot infusion will also help.

crow's feet. To prepare it, pour a tablespoon of herb with a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour. Take a third of a glass before meals three times a day.

note

There are many reasons for the occurrence of such seizures. Cramps can be symptoms of certain diseases, as well as complications during pregnancy in women. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor in order to identify and eliminate the cause of their appearance in time.

Helpful advice

Do leg exercises regularly, try to get rid of excess weight, strengthen your ligaments, give up uncomfortable and tight shoes, and do not overload your feet.

Each person's body is unique in its own way. It is known that when losing weight, the body does not always lose kilograms evenly. As a result, additional efforts are required to get rid of excess weight in problem areas. A special set of exercises will help correct the shape of the calf muscles.

You will need

- step platform;
- jump rope.

Instructions

Place your toes on a small hill (a thick book), while resting your heels on the floor surface. Now rise up onto your toes. Lock in this position by counting to 5. Carefully return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 15-20 times.

Simple squats, which must be performed on your toes, will help reduce the calf muscles. Please note: when performing the exercise, special attention should be paid to balance. Squat like this for 5-7 minutes.

Static exercises also give excellent results. Take the starting position - half squat. It is worth noting that the bend angle must be at least 90 degrees. Lock in this position for 3-5 minutes.

If you decide to reduce the size of your calf muscles through exercise, you should know that you should not train your legs on machines. Use the suggested exercises only in combination. Also avoid any aerobic exercise. Before starting your workout, focus on stretching exercises for your calf muscles.

Stand with your right foot on the step platform. Leave your left foot on the floor surface. This is the starting position. Now put left leg to the step, then lower the right one to the floor. Alternate your legs in this manner for 3-5 minutes. Perform the exercise at a fast pace.

This exercise is aimed at stretching the calf muscles. Take a step forward, placing your hands on your buttocks. Gradually bend your leg. The leg that remains behind should rest on the floor. This position provides an effective stretch for both the hamstrings and calf muscles. Perform the exercise for 30 seconds, alternating legs.

Lie on your back. Bend your legs at the knees. Gently pull the socks towards you, alternating your legs. This exercise may seem too simple at first, but you will be surprised at the effect you can get from it.

Place your hands on the wall. Bend one leg at the knee. After this, place the shin of the other leg on top of it. In this position, lift your body weight onto your toes 10-12 times. Perform the exercise at a slow pace. Switch legs.

Helpful advice

You should not do exercises every day to reduce your calf muscles. The best option– 2-3 classes per week with a break between training sessions of 2-3 days. Experts believe that it is in this case that excellent results can be achieved in short time. On your free days, spend some time jumping rope. They also work great on the leg muscles.

Some people systematically experience discomfort as a result of tension in the muscles. At the moment of muscle spasm, the muscles contract, and the condition is accompanied by acute pain. Thus, any activity, be it playing tennis, running, walking or even sleeping, can be interrupted by a cramp.

Instructions

A provoking factor in the occurrence of muscle spasms may be insufficient elasticity of the fibers, which in some cases can be eliminated with the help of special stretching exercises. Experts also believe that one of the reasons why this condition occurs is fatigue. Special

shoots

nervous system (alpha motor neurons) control involuntary muscle contractions and human reflexes. Through them, commands are sent from the cerebral cortex and from the spinal region in the form of electrical impulses, creating reflex muscle contractions if necessary. This reflex is the body's way of protecting itself from stress.

In a state of fatigue, alpha motor neurons continue to function, but the impulse reaches only the muscle and not the tendon. From large quantity impulses, the muscle tenses because it cannot transmit them further due to fatigue. Thus, the vessels become clamped by swollen muscle fibers and therefore do not allow blood to pass through. At this site of spasm, oxygen starvation and increased pressure on some nerves occur, resulting in pain.

Excessive body sweating can also lead to muscle spasms. This is due to the loss of a large amount of minerals along with sweat, as a result of which the usual balance between potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium is disrupted. These microelements determine the timely transmission of impulses from the brain to their destination, and their significant losses disrupt this process, which is why the muscles contract.

Also problems in circulatory system, with the spine (osteochondrosis) or nerves very often provoke muscle spasms. Metabolic disorders, changes in hormonal levels, a monotonous diet, as well as taking certain medications can also be one of the reasons for the appearance of muscle spasms.

A lack of certain vitamins (B1, B5 and B6) that affect the transmission of nerve impulses in the human body can manifest itself in such unpleasant symptoms as spasms and painful tension in the muscles.

note

If any muscle discomfort occurs, you should consult a specialist. At the appointment, you should be very careful and list in as much detail as possible all possible causes of muscle spasms (all past illnesses, allergic irritants, injuries and surgeries, as well as medications taken).

Why do my calves cramp at night?

Why do my calves cramp at night? This question worries a lot of people. Doctors are well aware of the phenomenon in which the calves of the legs begin to ache at night. This sensation appears unexpectedly and can last either for a long time or a short time. If a person has cramps in his calves at night, restful sleep is out of the question. The pain may occur every night or once or twice a week. Naturally, this causes concern among patients. Especially considering that there were no previous sprains or bruises.

As a rule, it cramps the calves at night in most cases in older people. But it often happens that pain in the calves appears in fairly young people. And sometimes even among teenagers.

Cramping calves: reason

At night this phenomenon often becomes more active. In this case, the reasons can be of a very different nature. From constant overexertion and improper weight distribution to a lack of certain nutrients. Also, we must not forget that everything in the body is interconnected, and the real cause of pain is lower parts legs may be hidden in the malfunction of some other organs. The type of life a person leads also influences the possibility of pain. Let's look at the most common causes of pain in the calves.

Why do my calves cramp at night? What to do?

A person occupying a position that requires a minimum of movement sooner or later becomes susceptible to the above-mentioned ailment. The body, without receiving proper warm-up, begins to atrophy, which leads to various types of pain in the legs. This is especially true for office workers, drivers and representatives of other professions who are required not to leave their workplace. In this case (for prevention purposes), it is recommended to periodically get up and do a warm-up.

Violation of safety precautions when playing sports

It's no secret that not everyone, while in training, strictly follows the correct techniques. And even more so, every athlete makes mistakes (both professional and beginner). For example, when running, a common mistake is to shift the weight to one part of the foot. Thus, a serious violation occurs. This is one of the answers to the question: “Why do my calves cramp at night?”

The same thing happens in strength sports. Incorrect position of the legs when squatting with a barbell, incorrect position of the feet when pumping calves, as well as too much load - all this provokes serious violations in the limbs, leading to aching pain at night.

In martial arts, many situations can also arise that provoke severe pain in the legs. Therefore, before asking the question “Why do my calves cramp at night,” analyze your exercises and think about whether you could have made mistakes when performing the exercises.

Diseases of internal organs

Few people can imagine it, but diseases in the lower extremities can arise for a reason that is hidden much higher. And this is not surprising. The whole body is a single mechanism, the work of which depends on how each of its components functions. So pain in the calves at night can be caused by ailments such as:

disorders in the thyroid gland;
cirrhosis of the liver;
diabetes.

All this and much more covers most of the body, causing difficulties in its functioning. Which, naturally, contributes to the phenomenon of cramping your calves at night. And the calves are no exception in this case.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women in their final stages experience various problems in the body. The consequence of one of them may well be a disease that causes severe cramping of the calves at night. This is due to the fact that the child inside her requires constant feeding. And if the mother forgets about this, the fetus begins to feed on the mother’s nutrients.

Complaints from pregnant women about severe night pain in the calves are a phenomenon familiar to doctors. And in addition to the lack of useful microelements for the child, the cause may also be heavy stress on the legs. A child adds several kilograms to a woman’s main weight, and this already requires additional effort when moving. In addition, varicose veins are also likely, which is also a common occurrence in pregnant women.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins can develop not only in pregnant women. Men leading sedentary lifestyle life, severely affected by varicose veins. Due to the fact that a person was in a calm state for a long time, and then suddenly began to put excessive stress on the body, the veins begin to expand and twist, thereby interfering with the normal flow of blood (up and down and vice versa). Thus, swelling occurs, which is common cause painful, aching sensations in the calves.

Varicose veins are treated either by taking medications for early stages, or by surgical intervention when the form is running.

Flat feet

People are not susceptible to this disease from early childhood, as many claim. Not at all. The disease can develop over the years. And it may well be the cause of night pain in the calves. After all, flat feet consist of deformation of the feet, which means the patient cannot move normally. Because of this, there is a serious load on the legs, which leads to severe pain.

The sooner you start treating flat feet, the greater the chance of stopping this disease.

Use of diuretics

Taking this type of cleansing agent is fraught with the periodic occurrence of edema. This may well cause pain in the legs.

Lack of nutrients

During sleep, blood circulation slows down significantly. If the body is in dire need of one or another type of beneficial microelements, this is especially felt at night. Thus, the body lets you know about the deficiency of nutrients through pain in the body.

Prevention of pain

As researchers have observed, most people who experience painful sensations at night, the blood contains low amounts of magnesium. The deficiency of this particular substance affects its poor distribution throughout the body, which ultimately leads to severe pain. It follows: if you want to prevent pain in the calves, you need to replenish your body with magnesium in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, this microelement is difficult to obtain through a regular diet. On the contrary, it is constantly released into the human blood and then leaves the body. To control the presence of this substance in your body, you need to take proper medications or enrich your food with special dietary supplements.

If cramps not only just occur, but also happen frequently, this indicates that there is an acute lack of calcium in the body. Calcium is an element as essential to the human body as magnesium. Therefore, if you notice that cramps are occurring more and more often, then it’s time to saturate your body with calcium.

In order for the simultaneous use of magnesium and calcium to occur without causing any problems, it is worth remembering one proportion: the calcium/magnesium ratio should be 2:1. In other words, the amount of calcium should be twice as much as magnesium. If you maintain this proportion, microelements will be successfully absorbed by the body without causing incompatibility.

Many people make the mistake of believing that dairy products are the source of calcium. This is far from true. In general, everything is correct, but they also contain phosphorus. And if magnesium and calcium enter the body along with phosphorus, none of the above microelements will be absorbed in the proper quantities. And this will again lead to failures. In other words, a person who hopes that he will solve the problem by consuming dairy products will not notice any positive result, except for increasing pain in the calves. Thus, when wondering why your calves cramp at night, first of all try to analyze your own lifestyle. It is quite possible that the cause of the disease lies literally on the surface. But awareness is the first step towards correction.

Causes of night cramps

The reasons are very different.

Lack of mobility. Due to lack of physical activity, the muscles gradually atrophy, resulting in pain in the legs. Office workers and drivers are especially susceptible to this problem.
Failure to comply with training techniques. A serious mistake is placing all the weight on one part of the foot. People involved in athletics and strength sports should analyze their activities.
Lack of nutrients.
Liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, heart failure, flat feet.

Deficiency of vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, calcium. In the early stages of pregnancy, toxicosis occurs, which removes microelements from the body.
Reduced percentage of glucose in the blood. To maintain glucose levels, pregnant women are advised to split their meals into small portions.
Phlebeurysm. In the last period of pregnancy, the increased load does not allow the veins to cope with their work. Blood stagnates, circulatory problems occur, which makes it difficult for the required amount of essential substances to enter the muscles. Metabolic products are not excreted, creating a favorable background for the appearance of seizures.
Inferior vena cava syndrome. In a horizontal position, the pregnant woman’s uterus presses on the lower vein, which reduces the outflow of blood and leads to calf cramps.
Using diuretics in excess can cause mineral loss.

Video story

The use of diuretic and choleretic foods and drinks contributes to disruption of the water balance in the metabolic process of muscle tissue. Important microelements are excreted along with the liquid.

A woman’s body experiences serious stress during the menstrual period due to impaired peripheral circulation.

Video information

Women are prone to cramps due to stress. Minor disturbances often result in nighttime calf cramps.

The peculiarity of spasms in men is that they are more painful, since the muscles are denser than women’s. The causes of seizures are considered to be:

Forced inactivity, increased loads. Men engaged in professional activities suffer from this: truck drivers, tractor drivers, bulldozer drivers, athletes.
Muscle hypothermia. Many men allow themselves to be in the cold water of reservoirs and neglect warm underwear, which leads to hypothermia of the muscles.
Overweight. Body parameters and a huge belly lead to the fact that the inferior vena cava is compressed, as in pregnant women.
Smoking and alcohol. They negatively affect peripheral blood supply: they spasm blood vessels, stimulate nerve endings, which provokes convulsions.
Dehydration. Heavy sweating removes a significant portion of microelements from the body.

Treatment is acceptable both with folk remedies at home and with medications.

In rare cases, you can avoid medical attention by using home remedies. Traditional medicine offers many recipes to help with cramps in the calves.

Fast method. Hold a pinch of salt in your mouth for up to 2 minutes and the cramp will go away.
Lemon juice. Take a spoonful of salted lemon juice under your tongue. The disease can be eliminated by lubricating the area of spasm with juice.
Kvass mixture. Add a teaspoon of yeast to a glass of bread kvass, leave for 6 hours, divide into equal parts according to the number of meals. Take before meals for a month. Improves the taste of the honey mixture.
Wormwood tincture. Pour vodka into a container filled with wormwood herb and leave for 2-3 weeks. Rub your feet every evening until the cramps disappear completely.
Chamomile mixture. Brew two tablespoons of chamomile like tea with a liter of boiling water. Drink after meals, last time before bed.
Celandine ointment. Mix freshly squeezed celandine juice with medical Vaseline 1:2. Rub problem areas for 2 weeks.

If effectiveness cannot be achieved with folk remedies, you should definitely consult a doctor who will prescribe additional tests.

Pills

There are no pills that will completely eliminate cramps without identifying the underlying cause. But these anticonvulsants are recommended more often than others:

"Difenin"	Relieves spasms, relaxes muscles.	As prescribed by a doctor.
"Mydocalm"	Local anesthetic and muscle relaxant effects.	As prescribed by a doctor.
"Panangin", "Asparkam"	Replenishes magnesium and potassium deficiency.	1-2 tablets per day.
"Magnerot"	Contains magnesium.	2 tablets 3 times a day are used for a long time.
"Analgin", acetylsalicylic acid, "Paracetamol"	Analgesic, anti-inflammatory.	1 tablet up to 4 times a day.

For convulsions provoked by varicose veins, popular drugs that relieve inflammation, improve the walls of blood vessels, and accelerate blood circulation are: “Venoturon 300”, “Antistax”, “Venarus”, “Anavenol”.

IMPORTANT! Most drugs used in the treatment of seizures have many contraindications, so self-medication is unsafe for health.

Compliance with the following preventive rules will help prevent a condition where your calves cramp at night.

The diet must fully meet the body's needs for vitamins and microelements.
Minimize heavy and prolonged stress on the legs.
Wear comfortable shoes if possible.
Before going to bed, massage your feet to normalize blood circulation and relieve tension.
Reduce your consumption of junk food and drinks to a minimum.
Get rid of bad habits.
Protect yourself from unnecessary worries.

ADVICE! In order not to remove water from muscle tissue, after a cup of strong coffee or tea, it is good to replenish the body with 200 milligrams of liquid.

In most cases, calf muscle cramps are not life-threatening. However, frequent repetitions create significant discomfort, so it is necessary to immediately identify the causes of calf spasms and get rid of them using traditional medicine recipes or drug treatment. Don't forget about prevention to eliminate this problem forever.

Cramp – pathological condition, in which involuntary muscle contraction occurs. This can be a short-term or long-term process, permanent or episodic, accompanied by strong nagging pain, severe limitation of mobility. Leg cramps occur more often in the morning or evening.

All spasms developing in the calves are divided into:

Primary. They are provoked by cooling the body, excessive nicotine and caffeine content, lack of fluid in the cells, and muscle strain.
Secondary. Develop due to malfunction of the thyroid gland, flat feet, varicose veins, and tetanus.

Convulsions happen:

Generalized (the whole body hurts).
Local (simple or complex). They only affect a certain part of the body.
Single-sided or double-sided.
Tonic: prolonged tension is replaced by prolonged relaxation.
Clonic (myoclonic): pass quickly, but painfully.
Mixed: include previous types.

The main factors explaining why cramps occur in the calf muscles of the legs:

carrying out very active physical activity, fast running without proper preliminary preparation (warm-up);
long standing or sitting;
neuropsychic disorders (stress);
poor nutrition;
metabolic disorders, lack of oxygen in soft muscle tissue cells;
low body temperature;
incorrectly chosen shoes;
flattening of the arches of the feet;
hormonal changes;
fever;
colds;
acute intoxication.

The appearance of an anomaly is provoked by both natural and pathological causes.

Physiological reasons

Associated with fatigue and excessive workload of the body. If they are eliminated, the pathology will disappear.

When sipping

Often cramps in the calves when stretching in women who wear high heels or platforms. The disease in men is caused by muscle spasms as a result of severe physical stress. Massage of the limb helps to eliminate the problem.

When walking

When walking, the calves of the legs cramp due to pathological change blood flow in the vessels of the limb. You can quickly get rid of a spasm by pricking or pinching the affected (striated) muscle.

After sports

The reason why spasm occurs after sports training often lies in severe fatigue. For the unpleasant symptom to disappear, you should give your legs a rest.

Pathological causes

Spasms develop in the calves of the legs as a result of ailments present in a person.

Diseases of internal organs

The appearance of spasms in the calves of the lower extremities is caused by:

diseases of the endocrine system, heart, blood vessels;
kidney dysfunction;
diabetes mellitus;
osteochondrosis;
excessive levels of the hormone estrogen in the blood;
brain tumor.

Identification and treatment of such diseases leads to the relief of the abnormal syndrome.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are the reason why the calves often cramp in the legs at night. The disease provokes abnormal metabolism, slow blood circulation in the vessels due to changes in the density of the vascular walls, and their loss of elasticity. Cramps occur at night after an active day of work, during which a person stood or sat for a long time.

Flat feet

It is characterized by changes in the arches of the feet, their lowering, shortening or elongation of the foot, and its expansion.

The accompanying characteristic symptoms of the disease are:

rapid wear of the sole of the shoe from its inside;
the appearance of uncomfortable sensations when wearing familiar shoes;
inability to wear high heels;
pain and swelling, spasms in the calves and feet;
change in physiological gait;
disorders in the spine, scoliosis.

Seizures appear in the later stages of the disease.

Use of diuretics

Such medicines, like Furosemide and Lysix, which have a diuretic effect, remove potassium and magnesium from the body, which prevent the appearance of muscle spasms. These medications should be taken carefully, strictly following the doctor's instructions and dosage. Seizures are also caused by drugs used to treat ulcers.

Lack of nutrients

Emergence involuntary contractions in the legs may be due to the fact that there is not enough iron in the body of a sick person.

Why do my calves cramp at night?

Convulsive manifestations in the calves of the legs at night (cramps) can occur due to the formation and accumulation of lactic acid in the muscle fibers. This happens due to prolonged immobility and excessive fatigue.

Causes of seizures in certain categories of patients

The development of the disease may be due to the individual characteristics of the body and age-related changes.

In pregnant women

The female body undergoes great changes during the period of bearing a child. Based on this, the causes of seizures in pregnant women are:

lack of vitamin B, certain microelements (potassium, calcium, magnesium);
decreased glucose levels;
varicose veins (during gestation this disease becomes more pronounced);
compression of the vena cava by an enlarged uterus;
prescribing and taking diuretics, which causes the removal of potassium and magnesium from the cells.

To prevent pathology, pregnant women are prescribed Magne-B6, special vitamin complexes.

In children

IN childhood cramps the calves of the legs as a result of:

intoxication of the body, which provoked cerebral edema;
epilepsy;
oxygen starvation (typical for newborns);
birth trauma;
congenital disorders of the central nervous system;
pathologies of cardiovascular activity;
administration of an intramuscular injection of the vaccine;
improper metabolism.

Convulsions may accompany:

sore throat;
otitis;
scarlet fever;
pneumonia;
lack of calcium and potassium;
flat feet.

Pathology also worries babies as a result of their body being in an uncomfortable position for a long time.

In the elderly

In older and older people, the muscles of the calves of the legs cramp due to:

tendons lose their flexibility and density;
poor patency of blood vessels due to their blockage by blood clots;
lack of calcium, lack of oxygen;
weakness of muscle fibers;
increased use of drugs with antihypertensive and antipsychotic properties.

Involuntary muscle contractions can occur due to drinking insufficient amounts of water.

First aid

If you experience calf spasms, you must immediately take first aid measures. To do this you need:

Sit on the bed, put your feet down (it will be better when the floor surface is cold).
Prick a limb with a sharp object. Manipulation is carried out above the site of spasm.
Lie down and raise your limbs higher than your torso.
Massage the sore leg (massage the lower leg and foot).

Exercises for cramps

If your calf muscles are cramped, then physical exercise will help relieve the pain. For this purpose it is recommended:

sit up straight, pull your toes towards you and up;
swing your leg up and down;
Leaning with both hands on the wall, stand with one foot on your foot, put the other on your toe, and from this position try to put it on your toes.

All actions must be performed slowly and carefully so as not to increase pain. If you stretch carelessly, you can worsen your health.

Basic treatments for seizures

Getting rid of seizures means eliminating the underlying disease that was their root cause.

The disease is treated with:

medicines and vitamins based on magnesium (Magnerot, Magne-B6 tablets);
muscle relaxants - drugs that relax muscles (Mydocalm, Sirdalud);
acupuncture;
ointments for external application (“Finalgon”);
physical therapy: rise on your toes and return to the starting position, make rotational movements with your feet, etc.;
traditional medicine recipes: it is recommended to rub sore limbs with lemon juice and plant esters.

At home, it’s good to make contrast baths (you can add herbal decoctions to the water), walk alternately on your toes and heels, on your outer and internal sides stop, do squats.

Prevention

Taking preventive measures will help you forget about the disease forever. To prevent seizures, you need:

Monitor your health status: undergo necessary tests on time medical examinations, identify hidden diseases of internal organs and treat them correctly.
Distribute evenly physical activity on lower limbs, do not overexert them, give good rest body after hard work.
Get rid of bad habits.
Eat right: eat fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, avoid spicy, salty, spicy foods, limit the consumption of coffee and carbonated drinks, drink enough clean water.
Maintain healthy physical activity, exercise and sports.
Avoid stressful situations, take care of your mental and psychological well-being.
Maintain a proper sleep schedule.
Take relaxing and contrast baths regularly in the evening.

If you experience the first unpleasant sensations, you should consult a doctor. He will tell you what to do if your leg cramps in the calf, and what to do to get rid of the cramp.

There are many reasons why your calves cramp. Their timely identification will prevent the onset of the disease, prevent the development of serious diseases in the future and maintain health for a long time.

Causes of night cramps

Cramps during pregnancy

Among women

Cramps in men

Treatment of seizures with folk remedies

Store-bought anti-seizure medications

Vitamins

Ointments

Pills

Preventing seizures

Is it worth paying attention?

What happens most often?

What to do?

Case Features

Or am I sick?

Causes and consequences: why do your legs hurt?

How to help yourself?

Activities and methods

General measures

Manifestations and diagnoses

Options and Feelings

Causes and consequences

Nuances of symptoms

Myopathy: subtleties

Pain: can it be prevented?

The main causes of calf muscle cramps

Why do my calves cramp when stretching?

Cramps your calves when walking

Why do calf cramps occur in men?

Causes of calf muscle cramps in women

Why do my calves cramp at night?

How to avoid calf muscle cramps

Treatment of seizures using folk remedies

Why do seizures occur?

Calf muscle cramps

What to do if your calf muscle cramps?

Preventing calf muscle cramps

Exercises to treat calf cramps

Variants of seizures

Leg cramps at night

Toe cramps

Calf muscle cramps

Causes of seizures

Primary causes of seizures

Secondary causes of seizures

Magnesium deficiency

Calcium deficiency

Lack of iron in the body (anemia)

Glucose deficiency in the body

Sudden changes in human body temperature

Irritation of the motor area of ​​the brain

Vascular diseases of the legs

Diseases of the lower spine

High temperature outside the window

Taking hormonal contraceptives

Causes of frequent seizures

Cramps in pregnant women

Seizures in children

Diagnostics

Ways to deal with leg cramps

How to give first aid

Prevention measures

Calf cramps - treatment and prevention

If your calves cramp when stretching

If your calves cramp when walking

If you often cramp your calves

Leg cramps - what are they?

Types of seizures

Tonic convulsions

Clonic seizures

Types of muscle spasms

Localized spasms

Generalized spasms

Leg cramps: which doctor should I contact?

What causes cramps in the leg muscles at night - the reasons why the legs cramp, the legs grab

Dehydration

Diuretics

Lack of microelements and vitamins

High body temperature

Muscle fatigue

Irritation of the motor area of the brain