Leg cramps: causes, prevention, what to do, how to treat

A cramp is a sudden, involuntary, often painful contraction of a muscle. This happens to everyone from time to time: at night during sleep, during physical activity, and sometimes at rest. Spasm can occur in any part of the body - in the limbs, in the side, in the buttock, in the abdomen.

Often people have no idea why their muscles cramp. However, it is very important to find out the reasons for this, because a seizure can be both a physiological norm and a symptom of a serious disease. Let's look at this in detail.

Why do muscles cramp?

The reasons can be divided into two groups. The first includes those that do not have any underlying diseases. So, if the calf or gluteal muscles cramp in a dream, there is no physiological pathology in this. The seizure in this case is a parasomnia, that is, a phenomenon associated with sleep. Spasms that occur during increased physical activity also do not indicate an abnormality.

In other cases, such discomfort may be caused by:

• neurological disorders;
• compaction of muscle fibers against the background of physical inactivity;
• metabolic disorders;
• micronutrient deficiency;
• dehydration;
• poisoning (including cramps from a hangover).

There is also a disease called hypoparathyroidism. It is characterized by a convulsive syndrome that immediately affects muscle groups. This condition is caused by hypofunction of the parathyroid glands.

Types of seizures

If involuntary contraction of muscle fibers is caused by overexcitation of the cortical part of the brain, such convulsions are classified as epileptic. Non-epileptic ones are provoked by diseases of the central nervous system, imbalance of nutrients, and unfavorable external conditions.

Also, involuntary muscle contractions can be classified according to their nature:

• tonic – long-term, turning into a state of tension;
• myoclonic – short;
• clonic - jerky, cyclically repeating and alternating with relaxation.

Based on localization, these phenomena are divided into generalized and local. The former cover a significant part of the body (arms, legs, face, neck, side, torso, and sometimes extend to the respiratory tract). The latter occur in separate areas (for example, only in the back or only in the buttock).

Mechanism of development of gastrocnemius muscle cramp

To understand the mechanism of development of calf muscle cramps, it is necessary to understand some of the features of its structure. So, this muscle is represented by many myofibrils. Each myofibril is a strip with hundreds of rows of muscle cells. They are called myocytes.

Each muscle cell (myocyte) has a contractile apparatus consisting of several proteins. The main one in them is actin, and the auxiliary ones are troponin, myosin and tropomyosin. Myosin and actin are intertwined with each other like filaments. Their mutual approach, and therefore muscle contraction, occurs under the influence of ATP, calcium ions, troponin and tropomyosin.

This is a multi-level process that goes through several stages:

• An impulse arises in the brain, which is sent along the nerve to the calf muscle.
• With the help of acetylcholine, the electrical impulse from the nerve passes to the surface of the muscle.
• This impulse then spreads throughout the muscle fiber and penetrates its deep structures through T-shaped channels.
• From the channels, the impulse passes to the cisterns (cells containing calcium ions). Calcium channels open and calcium leaves the cells.
• Calcium activates tropin and tropomyosin, which in turn cause actin and myosin filaments to move closer together. ATP takes part in this process.
• Muscle contraction occurs at the moment when the myosin and actin filaments come as close as possible.

If a failure occurs at any stage of this complex process, it will lead to seizures.

Video: neuropathologist on the causes and treatment of seizures during sleep:

Causes of seizures in different parts of the body

Muscle spasm in a specific area of ​​the body is caused by specific factors. Most often it occurs in the legs. The culprits may be overexertion (including due to intense training), varicose veins and hypothermia.

It can cramp not only the calf muscle, but also the femoral and even gluteal muscles. Sometimes the unpleasant sensation will spread throughout the entire leg.

Abdominal cramps are also common because most abdominal organs are composed of highly contractile smooth muscle cells. Most often, the organs of the digestive system spasm. This is how the well-known abdominal pain occurs. In women, contractions of the uterus (during menstruation, pregnancy or gynecological diseases) cannot be ruled out.

Muscle spasms in the back indicate diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This could be osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, degenerative changes in the spine.

How to quickly get rid of cramps after waking up?

There are simple tips that can help quickly stop leg cramps and restore their sensitivity:

• A cramp that causes a person to wake up can be eliminated by stretching the leg and foot. To do this, you need to get out of bed and walk a little on your toes.
• If you don’t want to get out of bed, you can simply straighten your foot while lying down.
• You can also massage the problem area of ​​your leg right in bed, gently stroking and kneading it.
• The spasm can be stopped by pricking the skin of the leg with something sharp, for example, a pencil.
• You can apply a warming ointment to the skin of the lower limb or rub it with alcohol.
• Sometimes just moving your leg is enough for the brain to receive a signal that everything is fine with the body.

By following these recommendations, you can not only stop the cramp, but also prevent its reoccurrence.

Video: 3 ways to relieve cramps:

Who usually experiences muscle cramps?

This trouble is familiar to everyone: men and women, children and the elderly, athletes and office workers. Only some people get to know her for natural reasons and rarely encounter her, while for others she becomes a frequent companion.

The risk group includes:

• children under 3 years of age who have experienced a rise in temperature above 38 degrees;
• elderly people suffering from vascular diseases and muscle atrophy;
• men engaged in heavy physical labor;
• athletes (football players, swimmers, runners);
• people who abuse alcohol and often experience hangovers;

Predisposes to muscle spasms and pregnancy. In mild cases, they are caused by a lack of vitamins due to changes in the body; in severe cases, they are caused by eclampsia.

Why do muscles cramp in pregnant women?

Carrying a child leads to significant changes in the body. In particular, metabolism is rebuilt. As a result, many expectant mothers are faced with magnesium deficiency, which is why cramps appear.

Pregnant women's legs are subject to greater stress due to weight gain. Hence the involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the evenings and at night. They can also be triggered by varicose veins, which often accompany hormonal changes.

Pregnant women often complain about back pain. The lumbar spine is under constant tension, forced to bend under the pressure of the uterus, so such sensations are normal. Therefore, expectant mothers are recommended to lie on their side to relieve the load on the spine.

Night leg cramps in children

Often accompany a period of active growth of the baby. Since the concept of a “cramp” is unfamiliar and incomprehensible to the child, the sudden onset of muscle contractions causes significant anxiety, fear and crying. The main causes of nighttime leg cramps in a child are:

• keeping the leg in an awkward position, in one position for a long time;
• hypothermia of the lower extremities;
• lack of microelements (magnesium, potassium and calcium) in the body;
• flat feet.

The last 2 reasons are likely with regular, disturbing convulsions for a long time.

Diagnostic methods

If the muscles cramp regularly and the person experiences severe pain, it is necessary to consult a doctor. You should also be concerned if this symptom does not have a clear cause (it is not associated with training or staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time).

A common reason why people put off seeing a doctor is not knowing who can help with the problem. It’s better to start with a therapist, and he will give you a referral to a specialist:

• neurologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• phlebologist;
• gynecologist;
• endocrinologist.

After the initial examination, collecting complaints and receiving test results, the doctor will tell you what additional diagnostic methods will be needed. If your stomach cramps, you will be referred for an ultrasound, your back for an X-ray, your neck or calf muscles for a Doppler ultrasound of the blood vessels.

First aid for seizures: what to do

The algorithm for providing first aid to a person with convulsions looks like this - first you need to lay him down or sit him in a comfortable position. This is especially important if the cramp is localized in the legs, shins, fingers or above the knee - this will help relieve additional tension in these areas.

The spasmed muscle needs to be unblocked. If we are talking about a leg, this can be done as follows: the person who provides first aid takes the victim by the foot at the base of the toes and presses on them in the opposite direction, thereby straining the muscle. It should be noted that this technique is quite painful, even against the background of pain from cramps, but the pain and spasm quickly pass.

The victim can help himself - to do this, he needs to firmly grasp his toes with both hands and pull them towards himself. This way you can relieve cramps in your fingers and calf muscles.

Athletes, for example, swimmers and runners, use a different approach - with a sharp object it is necessary to prick the muscle cramped by spasm. A regular sewing needle or pin is suitable for this purpose.

The next method you can use is massage of the spasmed muscle. In this case, the pressure should be strong enough, so the victim is unlikely to be able to perform such manipulations on himself. The massage begins with simple strokes, and then the intensity of the effect increases gradually.

Massage can also be used after the cramp has passed to relax the muscle tissue.

After the attack is over, the person is recommended to let the muscles rest for some time - at least 20-30 minutes should lie quietly.

The consequences of cramps can be expressed in muscle pain, for which the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended.

What treatment is possible

If diseases of the internal organs are identified that cause muscle cramps, then treatment of the underlying disease will eliminate the accompanying symptoms. Depending on the location, this may include medication, massage, or physical therapy.

Uncontrolled use of anticonvulsants is unacceptable. They are prescribed to patients with epilepsy. If a person sometimes experiences cramps in the gluteal muscle or neck, you should not abuse such medications.

First aid also depends on the location of the spasm. If it occurs in the leg (from the buttock to the foot), you need to rub the muscles, restore blood circulation in them, and warm them up. The back should be kept at rest. But with a belly it’s better not to take risks and call a doctor right away, especially for women who know about their pregnancy.

Treatment and prevention of seizures: recommendations from doctors and advice from traditional medicine

Honey is a useful preventative against muscle spasms. Traditional medicine generally attributes many healing properties to this product. If you eat one tablespoon of honey every day during lunch, you can avoid leg cramps, even with significant fatigue.

Traditional medicine for the treatment of seizures recommends using decoctions of some herbs to make compresses and lotions. For example, you can prepare the following collection: red clover, yellow sweet clover, calendula flowers, leaves and stems of rhubarb. A tablespoon of dry collection is poured with a liter of boiling water, and then placed in a water bath for 15 minutes. Next, the liquid is moved to a warm place for half an hour and filtered. The resulting decoction is moistened with a gauze pad, which is applied to the painful area for 2-3 hours, wrapping the compress with thick material.

Vodka tincture is prepared from dried tansy herb. 100 g of dried collection is poured with a liter of vodka, after which it is infused for a week in a dark place. The product is rubbed into the lower legs and feet before bed.

Preventive measures directly depend on the individual factors in the formation of muscle spasms. If attacks continue to bother you more often and longer, you should definitely consult a doctor and not self-medicate. The fact is that seizures can be either an independent illness or a symptom of serious health problems.

It is necessary to monitor the amount of fluid consumed and avoid dehydration, avoid diuretics and carbonated drinks. Soda tends to remove calcium ions from the body, and sweet water usually has a high sugar content.

Juices, especially those with pulp, should be consumed as rarely as possible, as they contain sugar and fiber, which helps reduce the flow of fluid into the blood vessels.

People often report having cramps after drinking alcohol in hot weather. This happens due to the diuretic effect of alcoholic drinks.

In order to avoid the occurrence of seizures, you must always remember the level of stress on the muscles and control it so as not to bring the muscles to exhaustion and overwork. You should also limit wearing uncomfortable, narrow shoes and high-heeled shoes.

Taking vitamin and mineral complexes, agreed with your doctor, will help replenish the reserves of potassium, calcium and other essential elements in the body, thereby reducing the likelihood of cramps in the limbs and torso. In addition, it is very important to monitor a balanced diet, do not forget about fruits, nuts, dairy products, and fish.

Diabetics should especially pay attention to blood sugar levels, follow a diet, and consume enough salt.

If possible, it is better to avoid swimming in cold waters, as cold water promotes cramps.

Small physical activities serve as a good prevention of muscle spasms - we are talking about minimal morning exercises, walking, and fitness classes. A relaxing massage and a daily warm shower also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the muscle corset, preventing disturbances in the blood supply to muscle tissue.

What to do if a muscle is severely cramped

It is not always possible to easily endure such an attack by limiting yourself to rubbing the affected area. The pain can be unbearable. It can be removed with a sharp impulse.

For cramps due to a hangover, the patient should be placed in a horizontal position and the legs should be raised to reduce blood flow to the extremities. At the same time, it is important to make sure that we are not talking about an epileptic attack (they are not uncommon in alcohol intoxication).

In older people, involuntary muscle contractions are often a warning sign of stroke. Convulsions may give way to paralysis. Timely treatment is important here, so it is better to call an ambulance immediately.

Prevention

The best prevention of involuntary muscle contractions is moderate physical activity. Regular exercise helps keep your muscles under control. The tissues will not suffer from physical inactivity or sudden overload. This is equally beneficial for both men and women at any age.

A set of exercises to prevent cramps always includes stretching. It is useful to do it before bed so that unpleasant symptoms do not occur at rest.

Since muscles often cramp due to hypovitaminosis and lack of microelements, it is important to eat a balanced diet. If you cannot get them in sufficient quantities from food, you should additionally take vitamins B and E, as well as magnesium, calcium and potassium supplements. It is also important to drink enough fluids, because similar discomfort occurs due to dehydration.

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