Leg cramps are common among some people, particularly if you are active or an athlete. If you’ve ever had one in the middle of the night, you know just how painful they can be. For many people these cramps occur way too often and they don’t know what to do to stop them. Once we get one, we are told to get up quickly and massage the cramp while trying to move around. This does relieve some of that pain and you are able to move on. But what about preventative methods? How do you stop experiencing this terrible pain at night or any time it strikes?
A leg cramp is an involuntary muscle contraction, technically. For many of us, it’s just a painful annoyance. Though leg cramps are usually harmless,, the pain can be unbearable and unexpected. There are ways that you can help yourself avoid this unexpected painful contraction. Here are 6 ways to help yourself avoid leg cramps and help you get a better night’s sleep or get you through a whole tennis game without stopping to cringe from the pain.
1. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is the best way to get plagued with leg cramps. As busy as most people are during the day, it is too easy to forget to drink water. By drinking your share of water each day, you can eliminate the chances of having an involuntary muscle cramp. The lack of fluid may cause the nerves to become over sensitized and then trigger contractions around the space of that nerve. This is why it is so important to drink enough water on a regular basis.
2. During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are likely to have leg cramps during their 2nd and 3rd semesters. A lack of magnesium and potassium are also causes of leg cramps and pregnant women are usually depleted of both. Once again, stay hydrated during your entire pregnancy and ask your doctor if it is safe for you to take a magnesium supplement for your cramps. Never take any kind of supplement without checking with your physician.
3. Muscle Overuse
Normally, the nervous system is the culprit of leg cramps caused by overuse. An athlete or anyone physically active can experience leg cramps due to overuse. The nerve that runs from the brain to the spinal cord down to the muscle, become overly excited, which is likely to cause a leg cramp. Massage and staying hydrated will help. But also, it is wise that no matter how much you love a sport, try not to overdo it.
4. Fatigue
Being overly tired can also cause these terrible muscle contractions. When you are suffering from fatigue, often the diet goes lacking of nutrients and hydration. If you are always tired from work or working out, you may forget some of the other ways to remain healthy and that is to eat right and drink plenty of water.
5. Sitting and Standing
Sitting and standing too long can be the cause of leg cramps. They both can contribute to muscle fatigue which then turns into cramping. The best thing to do is to stay naturally active. Don’t sit in front of the television all day or stand up at the kitchen sink all day. The body requires a certain amount of natural movement.
6. Medications
Some medications may cause you to suddenly have leg cramps. Usually the medications are new and the patient may not have experienced cramps before. Diuretics often taken for high blood pressure are sometimes a cause because they deplete your body of fluid and salt, both of which you need in moderate amounts. Ask your doctor if there is any medication that you are taking that would cause you to have leg cramps. He or she may be able to switch your medications or find another natural way to treat your illness.