Why the legs cramp: Causes, Symptoms, First Aid and Prevention

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Seizures - very unpleasant and painful numbness of the muscles, which occurs involuntarily. These abbreviations have different duration, intensity and prevalence. In medicine, cramps are classified according to the duration, degree of involvement of the muscles, and also the location of the localization.

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

Variations of seizures

Leg cramps at night

Cramps of legs at night are especially unpleasant and painful. Abrupt pain leads to awakening, the contracted muscle ceases to hurt at once. Nocturnal cramps occur in both children and adults, at the same time it should be noted that the age factor has not the least role in this vein.

Causes of nocturnal seizures can be:

1. Muscle fatigue;
2. Problems in the work of the nervous system;
3. Pregnancy period;
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4. Some diseases that result in a decrease in normal blood flow to the limbs;
5. Some medications;
6. Lack of vitamins and trace elements;
7. Flat-footed;

There is an opinion that convulsions at night are associated with a person's posture in a dream: knees are slightly bent and the feet are lowered down. This provokes shortening of the muscles, which causes painful spasms.

Fingers of toes

Let's try to figure out why the feet are cramping with a cramp. Finger cramps always occur abruptly and unexpectedly. Can pull as one, and several fingers at once. Possible causes:

1. Wearing uncomfortable, tight shoes;
2. Subcooling of feet;
3. Lack of vitamins and trace elements;
4. Violation of normal circulation in the feet;

Cramps of the calf muscle

The gastrocnemius cramp is the most painful of all kinds of spasms. A few moments before the spasm you can feel a light stretch of muscle.

Symptoms of gastrocnemius:

1. Severe pain;
2. The leg is very tense in the place of spasm;
3. It's impossible to stand on the whole foot;
4. Muscles become very elastic and dense;

Causes of calf seizures:

1. Vitamin and micronutrient deficiency;
2. Chronic fatigue due to prolonged stay on legs, exhausting sports;
3. Venous insufficiency;
4. Atherosclerosis;
5. Swelling of the feet;
6. Drug use of diuretics;
7. Diseases of the lumbar spine.

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Causes of seizures

Primary causes of seizures

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

1. Muscle overexertion as a result of physical exertion. If a person spent the whole day on their feet without rest, was very tired during sports, wore heaviness or walked a long distance in uncomfortable shoes, there is a malfunction in the muscles. In such cases, there is a greater likelihood of muscle spasms;
2. Sudden blood circulation disorder in the limbs;
3. Natural shortening of tendons, which occurs in old age;
4. Inconvenient posture during sleep;

Secondary causes of seizures

Secondary causes 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 contraction. The lack of magnesium can be associated with improper nutrition.

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

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are:

• insomnia, rapid fatigue;
• depression;
• back pain;
• frequent fractures and dislocations;
• headaches;
• high blood pressure;
• arthritis;
• heart disease;
• frequent cramps and nervous tics of the eyes;

Calcium deficiency

Calcium is a physiological "partner" of magnesium.

The main signs of calcium deficiency in the body include:

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

Calcium and magnesium deficiency can cause significant changes in the biochemical composition of the blood after a while.

Iron deficiency in the body( anemia)

Since iron is involved in oxygen saturation of cells, its lack can provoke muscle spasm.

Deficiency of glucose in the body

May occur during diets, as well as as a result of the consumption of hypoglycemic drugs.

Sharp changes in body temperature of a person

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

Asthma of the motor area of ​​the brain

The area of ​​the brain that is responsible for muscle contraction can be exposed to nerve impulses:

• for influenza;
• during a stroke, as well as during rehabilitation after it;
• with ARVI;
• for alcohol poisoning;

Diseases of the vessels of the legs

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

Diseases of the lower parts of the spine

During these diseases, the nerve endings are jammed, which leads to a violation of the sensitivity of certain muscle groups.

High temperature outside the window

The body during the heat with sweat loses a lot of fluid and salts, which can lead to the occurrence of seizures.

Taking birth control hormonal medications

Causes of frequent seizures

If convulsions are not occasionally caused, but often, the reasons for this may be:

1. Muscular overwork;Excess weight;
2. Frequent stress and emotional stress;
3. Disorders of the endocrine and nervous system;

A doctor should be consulted, as regular convulsions can be a signal of many serious illnesses.

Convulsions in pregnant women

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

1. Overweight;
2. The enlarged uterus exerts pressure on the vessels and nerve endings of the legs, resulting in impaired blood circulation;
3. The volume of blood increases, causing swelling of blood vessels and tissues;
4. Predisposition to varicose veins;
5. High demand for vitamins and microelements;
6. Change in hormonal status.

Seizures in children

In children, the onset of seizures is most often associated with active growth and development of the entire body. The main causes of spasms in children are:

1. Leg subcooling;
2. Flat-footed;
3. Lack of vitamins;
4. Finding your legs in an uncomfortable position for a long time;

Diagnosis

With regular convulsions, you must always see a doctor. To begin with, you need to visit a therapist who will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary tests.

Probably, the doctor will send for consultation to another specialist: neurologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist.

If the cause of spasms is any disease, then after the course of treatment, the cramps should pass. If there are no diseases that could cause seizures, it will not be found, you just need to adhere to simple preventive recommendations.

Ways to combat leg cramps

Fight this problem and you can and should.

Over time, from painful spasms, only memories will remain.
Tips for those who want to get rid of seizures once and for all:

1. It is necessary to revise and diversify your diet;
2. Do sports moderately, avoid overexertion;
3. Do not abuse diuretics;
4. Perform simple stretching exercises;

How to Provide First Aid

1. No need to panic if you have legs cramping at night It is necessary to relax and breathe deeply to improve the blood supply of tissues;
2. Next, you need to gently stand on the floor, put your feet together and straighten your back;
3. You can pull the foot towards you. It will hurt, but you need a little patience. When the muscle is slightly stretched, the spasm will pass;
4. If the cramp does not pass, you can pinch your foot, grind it;
5. Massage with warming ointment helps;
6. After the attack, it is necessary to lie down so that the legs are above the level of the head;

It often happens that a spasm causes a foot in the water: at sea, in the pool. This is quite dangerous, so you need to know how to act in such cases. If the cramp has brought a leg in the pool, you need to stop bathing. If the spasm grasps the muscle at depth in the sea, the actions should be as follows:

1. Roll over from the stomach to the back;
2. Try to pull the foot towards you;
3. If the cramp does not pass, help pin a pin, which is necessary just in case, pin to the swimsuit or swimming trunks;

Seizures most often occur in cold water. Do not swim in water, the temperature of which is below 18 degrees.

Prevention measures

This problem can be avoided if the following recommendations are fulfilled:

1. Wear comfortable high-quality shoes;
2. Avoid excessive loads on the feet;
3. Do exercises in the morning;
4. Reduce the amount of coffee consumed;
5. Regularly do foot massage;
6. Excellent contrast shower helps;
7. A variety of foods will saturate the body with vitamins and microelements;

If you follow all the recommendations, you can avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon as convulsions.

Let's sum up:

• Seizures are involuntary muscle contractions that can occur in both children and adults.
• Causes of seizures can be a lack of vitamins in the body, and some diseases, as well as physical activity.
• Most often, seizures occur at night.
• During pregnancy, muscle spasms affect almost all women, and do not require special treatment.
• Seizures in children are associated with the growth and development of the whole body.
• Diagnosis of seizures is very important, as it helps to identify certain diseases.
• It is important to know how to give first aid at the time of the spasm. Especially dangerous are muscle spasms during 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 on which you can see the causes of leg cramps and consider the methods of treatment :