How to Prevent Muscle Cramps

One of the most common health problems that affects almost everyone at some point in life is that of muscle cramps. It can occur anytime and anywhere. A muscle cramp is an unexpected, sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles in your body. Usually, muscle cramps lead to aching that makes movement of the affected part very difficult. In the following article, we will analyze what really causes muscle cramps, so that it becomes easy to figure out the many ways of preventing the same.

Causes

A very common cause of muscle cramps is exertion. Excessive use of the feet, for example a long walk or cycling for long time will definitely cause muscle cramps. A rigorous workout session can also be responsible for series of muscle cramps. Another common muscle cramp cause is a strained muscle. A strained muscle can lead to calf muscle cramp. And your muscles get strained because of a wrong posture while standing, sitting or walking, lifting something up while in the wrong posture.

Your muscles need continuous blood supply without which they cannot function normally. Disruption of blood supply to a certain muscle or muscle group can lead to muscle cramps or spasms. This disruption may take place due to many different reasons. Arteries that send blood to your limbs can sometimes get stiff and narrow due to several reasons like high blood pressure and build up of cholesterol. This condition is known as arteriosclerosis, that interferes with normal blood flow to the extremities and eventually cause a lot of leg muscle cramps.

Sometimes, lack of water can also lead to muscle spasms. Our body is seventy percent water, so we need to keep it hydrated. If we don't keep it hydrated, many problems can arise from it. Also, if you are not following a balanced diet or if you are not eating at the right times, this can also affect your muscle functioning. So eat good food from time to time and drink a lot of water for muscle cramp relief.

Preventing Muscle Cramps

Mostly, you get muscle cramps during exercising. So to prevent muscle cramps during exercise, remember to indulge in a nice and thorough warm up. Next, you should never over-exercise. Exercise in moderation regularly, that will be more beneficial. Half an hour before exercising, you should eat something like a small banana or apple. Never exercise on an empty stomach. Also, take breaks between exercises.

To prevent muscle cramps while running, follow all the same tips given in the above paragraph. Don't run continuously, and instead, keep changing the intensity of your running. This way, your muscles will get some rest period in between when they will relax and get ready for the next round of use, thus, preventing leg cramps.

When swimming, don't eat anything half hour before going for swimming. But keep your body properly hydrated by drinking lots of water during, before and after swimming. The usual spot where the cramp is felt is the calf of the leg, just below the knee; and it sometimes comes with such intensity that the muscles are gathered up into knots. For that, do a warm-up before you start swimming.

A bad lifestyle usually leads to such small problems that can become big if we don't make changes in our lifestyle immediately. It is not very difficult if you really think about it. Just eat simple homemade food, exercise everyday for at least half and hour, and drink ample water throughout the day. These are good remedies for muscle cramps.