Treatment of Leg Cramps

When I was younger I sometimes woke up with leg cramps and excruciating pain surging through my legs. Whenever this happened I massaged the leg and walked on it till the pain subsided. Various meetings with doctors proved that there was nothing wrong with me....Thankfully! Today, I would like to share the information I have gathered about the treatment of leg cramps with you.

Leg Cramps

A pain that comes from a muscle in the leg is termed as a leg cramp. This pain usually occurs in one of the calf muscles which are located behind and below the knee and is due to a muscle spasm which occurs when a muscle contracts too hard.

Leg cramps last for a few seconds to a few minutes and usually occur at night, when the person is sleeping.

Leg Cramps - Who gets them?

These cramps are common in older people though many younger people have an occasional leg cramp too. It has been studied that about 1 to 3 people over the age of 60 and about a half of the people over the age of 80 have cramps regularly. Sometimes these cramps occur everyday while in other cases it occurs at least three a week.

What are some of the causes of leg cramps?

Some of the factors that are said to contribute to the occurrence of leg cramps are:

• Dehydration
• Tiredness in the muscles
• Heavy Exercise
• Excess Weight
• Medications
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Diabetes
• Sitting in the same posture for a long time
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Use of alcohol
• A decrease in the potassium levels

How can I prevent leg cramps from occurring?

To prevent leg cramps, you need to:

• Formulate an exercise routine and ensure that you build on it gradually. It is not advisable to have sudden increase in activity.
• Stretching helps relax muscles so it is important to follow a good post-work out stretching routine as this helps relax muscles and prevent cramps. Do not exercise vigorously just before going to sleep.
• Drink at least three full glasses of water every day as water is crucial in the prevention of leg cramps. Apart from water, make sure that you consume fluids in your diet before, after and during exercise.
• Include enough potassium into your diet.

How do I get rid of the pain caused by leg cramps?

In order to get rid of the pain caused because of a leg cramp you must:

• Massage the sore muscle.
• Gently stretch your leg and move your foot towards your knee, until you feel the calf muscles stretch.
• Go in for a hot bath or shower as this will help relax the muscle.

What is the treatment I can follow for leg cramps?

A massage and gentle stretching of the area that has been affected is usually the best method used to relieve an attack of the cramp. Though painkillers are not used for sudden attacks, it might sometimes be used to help ease muscle tenderness and discomfort which at times carries on for up to 24 hours after the cramp has gone away.

When do I consult a registered medical practitioner?

It is advisable to meet one when the cramps become a recurring problem. The doctor may advise you to have your blood analyzed to ensure the levels of potassium and electrolyte are normal. He/she may also check you medical history and medications to ensure that they do not contain factors that contribute to the cramps in your leg.