What causes leg cramps. How to treat cramps in the legs with folk remedies

Some people have seizures very often.
Everyone has experienced pain from a cramp at least once in their life. The cramp appears suddenly. The pain is so sharp and there is a feeling that the muscle can burst from tension. Very often, convulsions occur at night, disrupting sleep and making you experience unpleasant moments. What are seizures? What is the reason for their occurrence? How to deal with them? Let's figure it out.

Why does he cramp his legs. The most common reasons

Involuntary painful muscle contractions can cause various reasons. Among them are the most likely:

1. Diseases venous system legs: development of venous insufficiency, thrombosis, varicose veins, formation of trophic ulcers.
2. Malfunctions thyroid gland.
3. Deficiency in the body of B vitamins or magnesium. Women during pregnancy most often suffer from a lack of vitamins and minerals.
4. Sudden change in blood glucose levels. This situation most often occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus.
5. Violation of blood circulation as a result of the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
6. Dehydration of the body. The occurrence of this condition is facilitated not only by a violation drinking regime but also the development of kidney disease.
7. Disruptions in the hormonal system. Due to an excess of estrogen in the body, a person not only has convulsions, but also menstrual cycle in women, which can cause difficulty conceiving. Men suffer from sexual dysfunction and obesity.
8. Professional sports and dance. Intense exercise provokes muscle fatigue. If an athlete or dancer does not have enough time to rest, then his body does not have time to recover.
9. Diseases of internal organs, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Often reduces the legs of those who, due to professional duties, spend a long time on their feet. In addition to cramps, they may suffer from a feeling of heaviness in the evenings, the formation of corns and corns.

Predisposing factors

Convulsive contractions occur for many reasons, caused by both external and internal factors. Pathologies of internal organs and systems, a history of severe rheumatological diseases, metabolic disorders can cause the development of convulsive phenomena in patients of different categories.

For staging correct diagnosis it is necessary to know the localization, severity and frequency of manifestations of pathology.

What is muscle spasm and why is it dangerous

A spasm is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. It occurs either due to insufficient blood supply to the working muscle, or due to a violation of the excretion of metabolic waste products produced during muscle activity. In fact, contraction is a defense against further muscle damage.

If you do not take into account unpleasant pain, spasm is usually not dangerous, especially local. Basically, it doesn't last long. With a long duration (due to poor circulation), there is a risk of muscle cell death.

General development mechanisms

Convulsive phenomena can occur against the background of the following conditions:

1. Deficiency of potassium, magnesium, vitamin D.
2. Long-term use of absorbents in pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Increased sweating due to various reasons. Along with sweat, the body loses potassium.
4. Psycho-emotional disorders.
5. Intoxication of the body, provoking dehydration.
6. Neurotoxic lesions of the legs, such as bites from poisonous insects.
7. Varicose veins.

Often the legs are brought together as a result of development endocrine pathologies, kidney failure, severe hyperthermia. Severe cramps can be caused by physiological factors: leg injuries, flat feet, excessive load on the ankle joint.

Causes of seizures in women

Convulsive syndrome in women often occurs due to:

1. Constant wearing of high heels. During rest, the joints of the legs, tired from the load, relax, provoking the appearance of spasms.
2. Prolonged use of medications.
3. Increased load on the legs associated with professional activities.
4. Excessive physical activity e.g. after intense training.

Pain in the lower extremities can occur against the background of constant diets and dietary restrictions. During this period, the body is deficient in vitamins and minerals that are actively involved in metabolic processes. In addition, stressful situations and emotional instability can provoke the appearance discomfort.

Pregnant women often suffer from seizures. The reason why it reduces the lower limbs is the excessive load on the spine due to the growth of the fetus. During this period, a number of changes occur in the woman's body: blood circulation is disturbed, venous lumens are compressed by the growing uterine cavity, and swelling occurs. Often, women, especially in the last stages of pregnancy, develop venous insufficiency. Therefore, seizures are possible.

Causes of seizures in men

Convulsive phenomena in men are accompanied by severe pain, which extend to the back and outer surface hips. Among the main reasons why it reduces the lower limbs, we can distinguish:

1. Strong physical activity.
2. professional activity.
3. Intensive sports activities.
4. Wearing tight underwear.
5. Overweight.
6. Sedentary lifestyle. The accumulation of lactic acid can cause seizures.

Eating spicy, sour and salty foods leads to leaching of magnesium and potassium from the body, which can cause vasospasm. If this occurs against the background of the development of pathologies of the joints or diseases of the musculoskeletal system, then the risk of seizures increases.

Features of seizures in children. How to help children

If it reduces the lower limbs to early age, then the cause may be metabolic disorders and excessive load on them. Most often, convulsions occur as a result of birth trauma, previous intrauterine encephalopathy, and complications of infectious diseases.

Night cramps can occur in children as a result of:

1. Severe hypothermia of the legs. To remove an unpleasant symptom, you need to warm the child's legs, cover with a blanket.
2. Being in an uncomfortable position for a long time. To reduce cramps, you should massage the problem area or ask the child to walk around to restore blood circulation.
3. Flat feet.
4. Lack of potassium and magnesium in the body.

Convulsive phenomena may appear after vaccination, as a side result of taking medications, poisoning the body, prolonged hyperthermia. In addition, children are characterized by increased emotionality, which can also provoke the appearance of episodic convulsions. In list physiological reasons should highlight the active growth of muscle and bone tissue.

rise muscle tissue occurs more slowly, so the muscles cannot completely relax.

Correct pathological manifestations in healthy child nutritious food will help. If convulsions occur against the background of pathologies of internal organs or systems, then this may indicate the onset of an acute period of chronic diseases.

Seizures in old age

The reasons that cramps legs in older patients are most often physiological changes in the body: natural aging, chronic diseases, impaired blood supply, decreased elasticity of blood vessels.

Each attack is accompanied by increased pain, decreased joint mobility. In addition to the increased load on the lower extremities, the following can cause convulsive phenomena:

1. Ischemia of muscle structures.
2. Violation of blood flow as a result of compression of the vascular plexuses.
3. Arterial hypertension.
4. Disruptions in hormonal balance.
5. Excess weight.
6. Leg injuries and destructive-degenerative changes in the joints.

Unlike younger patients, who are more likely to suffer from cramps at night, muscle spasm in older people can occur during the day, even in a state of muscle rest.

Specificity of manifestations and classification

A spasm of the calf muscle occurs suddenly and is characterized by a sharp contraction of all muscle bundles located in it.

There are two types of convulsive contractions:

• Clonic - periodic contractions that alternate with complete relaxation;
• Tonic - prolonged manifestations of a convulsive symptom.

Cramps in the calf muscles last from 5 seconds to 10 minutes. The longer the attack lasts, the more painful the sensations will be after it passes.

It is important!

At the time of a prolonged attack, blood circulation is disturbed, and lactic acid in in large numbers stays in the muscles.

All spasmodic manifestations of muscles are divided into 3 groups:

1. Muscle spasms. Occurs due to incorrect muscle impulses. They last about 15 minutes and are fixed in the thighs or lower legs.
2. Cramps of the toes. The manifestation of spasms is due to pathological changes in metabolic processes or chronic diseases. Manifestations are possible in people who wear uncomfortable shoes or spend a long time standing.
3. Cramps in the feet. Diagnosed in patients with flat feet or neurological diseases.

Any cramps in the legs can be both a consequence of overexertion and a harbinger of severe pathology of the internal organs. Therefore, if the convulsive syndrome manifests itself frequently and lasts a long time, it is necessary to undergo a detailed examination in order to find out the root cause and begin its treatment.

Features of seizures by localization

Convulsive phenomena can occur in different parts legs. This may indicate the development of various pathologies. The lower extremities consist of 3 main joints - the hip, ankle and knee - and many small ones. Most often it reduces the leg in the calf muscle. However, small articular joints are also subject to muscle contractions. For example, when it brings the feet together, this may mean that the spasm has attacked the toes.

Flattening of the toes

The toes cramp as a result of impaired blood flow in small capillaries and arteries. In addition, they contain a large number of nerve branches. Their infringement causes numbness of the fingers, which can result in severe pain and cramps. In rare cases, an unpleasant symptom is caused by pathological changes in the development of the ligamentous apparatus. Among the main causes of seizures are:

1. Pathology of the blood vessels of the legs.
2. Change in blood sugar levels.
3. Flat feet.
4. Violation of carbon metabolism in tissues.
5. Drinking alcohol and smoking.
6. Strong stress on the fingers, for example, after wearing uncomfortable shoes.
7. Finger injuries: bruises, sprains, fractures.

Spasms in the calf muscles

The greatest number of muscle contractions occurs in the calf muscles. Together with the ankle joint, they are the main support of a person when moving. Constant intense contraction leads to the fact that most often it reduces the calves. Among the factors that cause this condition, we can distinguish:

1. Dehydration of the body as a result of poisoning.
2. Chronic liver pathologies, such as cirrhosis.
3. Varicose veins.
4. Renal failure.
5. Frequent blood and plasma transfusions.
6. Uncontrolled intake of diuretics.
7. Infectious diseases caused by viral or bacterial infections.
8. Spasmodic paralysis of the legs.
9. epilepsy.
10. Endocrine pathologies.
11. Pathology of the joints of the musculoskeletal system.

Condition features

The muscles of the legs have a striated structure and are an integral part of the skeletal muscles. If smooth muscle contractions are called spasms with pulling pains of varying severity, then skeletal convulsions are always accompanied by a strong painful reaction to muscle contractions. In addition to the pain syndrome, the ability to control the muscle throughout the entire episode of convulsions is lost. A cramp of skeletal muscles is an absolute, involuntary contraction of muscle structures for a certain time with severe pain. There are three main types of seizures:

• tonic when muscle spasm is manifested by a short-term episode, but is caused by external or internal factors;
• clonic when muscles twitch periodically with an increase and complete disappearance of contractions, they are caused by neurological disorders;
• tonic-clonic when convulsions of the limbs are caused by epileptic seizures.

If leg cramps are rare episodes in the patient's clinical history, this should not be of particular concern. Increasing episodes up to several times a week, severe pain during exercise or at rest, a tendency to generalize the pathological process in both limbs, along their entire length, requires immediate diagnostic measures.

Helpful: List of cough pills

Night cramps

The occurrence of convulsive contractions at night is due to many reasons. If it strongly and often reduces the calves of the legs at night, then this is an occasion to immediately consult a doctor.

Biochemical composition of blood

He often cramps his legs at night as a result of changes in blood sugar levels. If the electrolyte balance of blood plasma is disturbed, this leads to changes in the vitamin and mineral composition, including a decrease in the content of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Factors provoking the occurrence of such a condition are excessive physical activity, including heavy sports, diseases of the endocrine system, kidney pathology.

Circulatory disorders

Sclerotic changes in the blood vessels lead to their compression. Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position impedes blood flow, reduces the transport of oxygen molecules to the muscles. Lack of oxygen in soft tissues leads to the accumulation of lactic acid, which provokes intra-articular inflammation. All this can cause the legs to cramp at night.

Neurological diseases

The cause of such pathologies is infection of the body with staphylococcus aureus, gonococcus or meningococcus. Their pathogenic activity leads to a violation of neuromuscular conduction, as a result, the leg cramps. The appearance of seizures of any localization can contribute to stress and overwork, physical exhaustion.

Prevention

The main measures to prevent muscle spasms:

• suitable physical activity (best options include walking, cycling, swimming and similar activities);
• weight loss;
• adjusting nutrition, giving up bad habits (reducing excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee, smoking);
• compliance with the drinking regime;
• replenishment of missing minerals (their levels can be determined by a blood test); you can "blindly" use magnesium or vitamins, especially B and E.

With periodic contraction of the calf muscles, it is advisable to stretch them (daily walking). With spasms of the femoral muscles, muscle imbalance, physiotherapy will help. Sometimes its combination with relaxing drugs, muscle relaxants is required.

With recurring discomfort, it is advisable to undergo a podological examination to assess the arch of the foot, because. its deformity (eg, flat feet) can also be one of the causes of muscle cramps in the legs.

If none of these measures help, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Muscle spasms accompanying some diseases are eliminated by treating the primary disease.

Why does he cramp his legs

There can be many reasons why the legs suffer from convulsive phenomena. Before starting treatment, you should understand what provokes this condition.

you overexerted yourself

Muscle strain often leads to microtrauma of muscle fibers. In the healing process, krepatura may occur, and sometimes a cramp reduces the calf muscle. In addition, as a result of excessive loads nerve fibers, going from the muscles to the spinal cord and brain, are overexcited, provoking the appearance of spasmodic contractions.

You have uncomfortable shoes

If the cramp reduces the calves of the legs, the cause may lie in uncomfortable shoes. Shoes with an uncomfortable last or the wrong size provoke constant muscle tension and poor blood circulation. As a result, when the shoes are removed, the muscle cannot quickly relax, a cramp appears.

You are supercooled

The legs often cramp in case of circulatory disorders caused by vasospasm.

This condition occurs when there is a large temperature difference between the human body and the environment. Most often, this situation occurs when swimming. In addition, during swimming, a person behaves actively, which, against the background of a spasm, also causes overstrain.

You lack magnesium, potassium and other trace elements

If the legs are cramping, then this may be due to a lack in the body of such important elements as potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium. Their deficiency leads to a deterioration in the conduction of nerve signals in muscle fibers.

you have varicose veins

Malfunctions of the blood vessels lead to a lack of nutrients in the muscle fibers. As a result, it reduces the muscles of the legs, there are painful sensations, swelling appears.

You are pregnant

When carrying a child, especially in the second and third trimesters, muscles in the legs often suffer from cramps. This is due to the changes taking place in the body of a woman, and an increase in the load on the lower limbs.

You may be prone to seizures

Constantly occurring convulsive contractions may be associated with the individual characteristics of the nervous system. There are people who have never experienced this symptom. And someone suffers from cramps after any physical activity.

Disease differentiation

Cramps in the lower extremities as a symptom of certain diseases should be differentiated from other pathologies similar in clinical picture. Among muscle contractions, the following conditions can be distinguished:

1. Development of epileptic paroxysms. The disease is characterized by generalized muscle contractions, when the muscle structures of the whole organism are involved in the pathological process. After the termination of the episode, the patient does not remember what is happening, disturbances of consciousness are noted.

1. Syndrome of choreoathetoid seizures. Involuntary muscle contractions are caused by diseases of the central nervous system and occur with constant regularity. Against the background of such convulsions, violations of the general condition of the patient appear, mainly from the psycho-emotional and physical condition patient.

1. Nervous tics. Pathology belongs to the field of psychiatric practice. Clinicians highlight changes in the patient's facial expressions. With a burdened psychiatric history of the patient, the pathology tends to generalize to the lower extremities.

1. The appearance of fasciculations. The condition is represented by fast, rhythmic contractile acts of muscle muscles. Against the background of such convulsions, pain does not occur. A common cause is overexcitation of motor neurons.

1. Muscular contractures. Least of all, the pathology resembles convulsions. They provoke a forced position of the patient's limb against the background of existing rheumatological diseases.

The appearance of cramps in the legs is always a response of the body to the changes taking place. These changes are not always associated with irreversible pathological processes. With the normalization of nutrition and compliance with the protective regime, the prerequisites for the occurrence of seizures disappear, and the patient feels comfortable at any time of the day.

First aid for convulsions. What to do about leg cramps right now

When the leg is cramped, you must first of all relax and breathe deeply. This will help improve the blood supply to the tissues. Gently pull your foot towards you. Stretching the muscle will help ease the spasm. If the cramp does not let go, then you should pinch your leg and rub it. As a first aid massage with a warming ointment helps.

If the front of the thigh is injured, then you should stand up and rest against a hard surface, such as a wall. Bend the affected leg at the knee and try to pull the sock to the buttock. Tension in the muscles will help relieve spasm.

Load the injured leg

Everyone who is prone to cramps should know what to do if they cramp their leg. You should stand up, straighten your legs and back. Roll from toe to heel several times. The load on the leg will relax the muscle and reduce pain.

Stretch

When he brings his leg together, you need to take it by the toe and gently, but strongly pull it towards you. Then let go and massage the calves a little. Then lie down with your feet above head level.

Get a massage

When it brings the feet together, it is necessary to massage them. This will increase blood circulation, and the spasm will pass.

What to do if you have a cramp?

As much as you would not like to face it, but convulsions always happen suddenly. Main question- what to do with it? The simplest thing is to pull the sock over yourself, bend and unbend several times knee-joint, rub and massage the calf muscles well. To increase blood flow, use warming ointments. If you have a competition (for example, running) and you are afraid of spasms at the most inopportune moment, take a sterile needle and an alcohol wipe with you. If a cramp occurs, stop, wipe the outer part of the calf muscle in the widest part with a napkin and pierce with a needle 1.5 - 2 centimeters. Remove the needle immediately after the injection. In this way, you quickly remove the spasm and continue running.

How to treat leg cramps

Before you begin to treat the problem, you need to accurately determine the cause that causes it. To do this, you should consult a doctor.

Medicines

If convulsive attacks occur frequently and are accompanied by painful sensations, then therapy is prescribed using general strengthening drugs and vitamin complexes. Most often, it is recommended to take magnesium-containing drugs, potassium and calcium preparations, vitamins A, B, C, E. In addition, they are prescribed local preparations: ointments, gels, liniments.

Folk remedies

To alleviate the condition after a convulsive attack, relaxing baths with sea salt or baking soda. Keep your feet in the bath for no more than 15 minutes. Instead of salt and soda, decoctions of medicinal herbs can be added to the bath water: chamomile, calendula, tansy.

A set of exercises

A simple set of exercises will help prevent spasms of the lower extremities. First of all, you need to warm up the muscles by running slowly in place or walking for several minutes.

Do a stretching exercise. Step back 1 m from the wall, stretch your arms forward at chest level and rest against the wall. Bend so that you feel a stretch in the calves. In this case, the legs should stand firmly on the floor. Bend over and stay in this position for 5-10 seconds. Straighten up. Repeat 3-4 times.

For the second exercise, the same starting position remains, only one leg should be bent at the knee. In this case, the feet should be exactly on the floor. Bend your knee and hold it for 15 seconds. Focus on the straight leg. It should feel the tension of the calf muscle. Repeat 4-6 times.

Then you should walk on tiptoe for a few minutes.

To perform the next exercise, you need to sit down. Squeeze your toes and hold them in this position for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times for each leg at intervals of 10 seconds.

Diet for leg cramps

For elimination possible causes the appearance of seizures, it is necessary to organize proper nutrition.

The basis of the diet should be complex carbohydrates: cereals, pasta, vegetables and fruits.

Be sure to include fat in your diet. In addition, it is recommended to use nuts, dairy products, bananas, dried apricots, sea kale, greens more often. Eat small meals at least 5 times a day.

Drink more water, avoid alcohol.

First steps

With cramps in the legs, first aid is necessary, as the person experiences severe pain and cannot move. In addition, given the suddenness of the attacks, it is impossible to prepare for them. People experience panic fear, confusion, panic.

What to do if there is a cramp in the legs?

• Take a few deep breaths to calm down;
• Pinch the place that cramped;
• Slowly bend and unbend the reduced leg at the knee joint;
• You can make an intense massage by patting and pinching your leg;
• Lie down and lift your legs up, preferably at an angle of 60 degrees;
• Lie down for a few minutes, placing a roll of a blanket or pillow under your feet.

What to do with cramps that appeared in the water?

Under no circumstances should you panic. Trying to breathe deeply, roll over onto your back and swim towards the shore.

In this case, involuntary muscle contraction occurred due to hypothermia. Therefore, in order to relieve pain in the calf muscle, it needs to be warmed up. To do this, use warming ointments or ordinary alcohol. Be sure to do an intense massage and get dressed.

Note!

This method should not be used by people who have been diagnosed with blood clots or varicose veins.

Muscle spasms at night are especially inconvenient, so it is important to know what to do with leg cramps in this case.

• Try to stand up with your feet flat on the floor;
• If the pain is sharp and you can’t get up, start rubbing your legs intensively, pinching them;
• After the spasm has passed, lie down on the bed with your legs elevated by placing a blanket or pillow under them.

If the legs often cramp, this is a signal from the body about an impending or developing pathology. First aid for seizures relieves only the manifestations of symptoms, but does not treat the underlying disease that caused them.

Not childish problems

The manifestation of spasmodic contractions in children is always frightening for both the kids themselves and their parents. Therefore, adults should clearly know what to do if a leg cramp occurs in a child.

Spasms are mainly affected by children under three years of age. The following categories of babies are at risk:

• Children born prematurely weighing less than 1.5 kg;
• Newborns who have hemorrhages of different localization;
• Babies born with intrauterine infection;
• Children with CNS damage.

With convulsions in a child that manifested itself for the first time, it is necessary to hospitalize the baby or undergo a detailed examination in the near future. After all, spasmodic contractions can occur due to acquired diseases:

• Diseases of an infectious nature;
• Intoxication of the body;
• Diseases and injuries of the brain: hemorrhages, tumors and cystic changes;
• Pathologies of the nervous system;
• Failure in the functioning of blood circulation;
• During epileptic seizures;
• genetic predisposition.

First aid for convulsions in children consists in clear and consistent actions:

• Call an ambulance;
• Put the baby on a flat and hard surface so that he cannot fall, placing a pillow or a rolled-up blanket under his head;
• Ensure the safety of the child by removing all piercing objects that can injure the baby;
• Provide access fresh air in room;
• Remove or unfasten the pressing elements of clothing, ensuring free breathing;
• Gently but intensively massage the legs, starting from the tips of the fingers and ending with the entire calf muscle;
• It is strictly forbidden to pour water into a child by force, to squeeze or unclench the jaws.

With proper and comprehensive treatment, started in a timely manner, the problem of convulsive spasms in children will pass. However, parents should be aware that frequent and prolonged attacks lead to oxygen deficiency, which will cause serious consequences for health and mental development kids.

The effectiveness of folk remedies

A leg can be cramped at the most inopportune time, so it is important not only to give yourself first aid for cramps, but also to be able to prevent their occurrence in time.

Consider a few recipes that have proven their effectiveness, which can be prepared at home.

Recipe #1

1 st. l. apple cider vinegar; 30 g of turpentine; 1 egg yolk. Mix the components well and lubricate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe legs, which cramps, for the night.

Recipe #2

60 g goose cinquefoil; 1 liter of boiling water. Pour boiling water over the grass and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Strain and take the resulting infusion in small doses throughout the day. This remedy will get rid of severe pain and muscle spasms in the legs.

If the toes are cramping, they should be rubbed with lemon juice or rubbed with mustard at night.

If the legs are cramped and there is an ordinary magnet under the arms, it is enough to attach it to the caviar. The spasm will pass in 1-2 minutes.

To prevent the occurrence of seizures, you need to reconsider your lifestyle, follow a diet, regularly perform a set of special exercises, and conduct preventive medical examinations.

What to do if seizures recur regularly

If venous insufficiency has been previously diagnosed, then you should use compression underwear. With flat feet, you need to wear special orthopedic shoes or use insoles.

In addition, it is necessary to take vitamin and mineral complexes. But before taking them, you should consult a doctor.

What measures should be taken to reduce the likelihood of seizures

When convulsive nocturnal seizures in the legs are frequent, examination is required in medical institution to find out the real reason. After that, the specialist will prescribe an individual course of therapy.

Self-medication is not effective, and in some cases it aggravates and delays the healing process.

magnesium deficiency

Signs of deficiency: dizziness, fog before the eyes, hair loss, brittle nails, loss of appetite, nausea, anxiety, no mood. Sleep disturbed, restless dreams, difficulty waking up, nervousness and irritability, lack of strength during the day. Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Excess calcium reduces the elasticity of blood vessels, develops atherosclerosis and anemia (anemia). The flexibility of the joints is worsened, the functioning of the gallbladder and pancreas is disrupted. Overabsorption of calcium is the cause of kidney stones.

Symptoms

Clinical manifestations of seizures can vary from mild to pronounced. To characteristic symptoms leg muscle spasms include:

• pain;
• swelling of soft tissues;
• numbness of fingers;
• twitching of muscle tissue;
• darkening in the eyes;
• convulsive tic;
• weakness;
• tingling in the skin.

At severe course an attack, short-term fainting, dizziness, involuntary urination, severe headaches are possible. If convulsions do not go away within 1-2 minutes, an ambulance team should be called to the house.

The appearance of foam from the mouth, loss of consciousness, vomiting and panic fear indicate epileptic fit.

Complexes of vitamins and minerals

"Complivit"

Contains 11 vitamins and 8 minerals, as well as other necessary substances for the normal functioning of the whole organism.

It is prescribed both as part of complex therapy, and for the direct fight against illness and pathological conditions on its own, pointwise impact on the cause of pain.

Note! In case of improper intake of vitamins and medicines, in some cases, manifestations of allergic reactions on the skin are possible.

"Calcium D3"

The drug belongs to anticonvulsant drugs that quickly compensate for the lack of calcium in the body.

"Vitrum Calcium"

The main active ingredients of this remedy are vitamin D3 and calcium carbonate. The drug replenishes the deficiency of calcium in the body and vitamin D3.

It is often used when there is a lack of calcium or vitamin D3 in the body for women during childbearing or breastfeeding, with complications after fractures, and also in case of limb cramps.

Medical treatment

In most cases, it is almost impossible to cope with the disease without medical treatment. Most often, doctors prescribe various ointments that can have a positive effect on the course of the disease and relieve convulsions. There are no drugs that can permanently cure a person of seizures.

"Troxevasin"

It is the most common and frequently used ointment in the fight against seizures. It has anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory properties, has an antioxidant effect. "Troxevasin" significantly reduces capillary permeability and seals the vascular wall, reduces inflammation and limits adhesion to the vascular wall of platelets.

"Troxerutin"

Gel is modern analogue"Troxevasin" and is often prescribed in the presence of seizures. The drug significantly increases the level of elasticity of blood vessels and significantly reduces their permeability. The use of the drug reduces the number of inflammatory processes. It also has a positive effect on the excretion of metabolic products from tissues.

Venarus

Often prescribed by doctors for chronic venous insufficiency. The drug is based on natural substances that tone the venous wall. It copes well with the disease, not only on initial stage, but also in a state of disrepair. Significantly reduces symptoms chronic disease, removes swelling and a feeling of heaviness.

"Venoflebin"

Tablets significantly help patients with leg cramps resulting from venous expansion veins. It is also used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, thrombosis and various venous pathologies.

"Detralex"

The tablets reduce venous distension by reducing venous congestion and increasing tone. In most cases, it is prescribed to reduce permeability, strengthen capillaries and regulate blood flow. Regular use of the drug almost completely relieves the patient of seizures.

"Diosmin"

It is a drug of natural origin. It is prescribed by doctors to combat varicose veins. The drug significantly strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increasing the overall tone. Its action blocks all kinds of inflammatory processes and normalizes the process of blood flow in the body.

The use of "Troxerutin"

This drug is used for cramps caused by impaired circulation in the legs. Tablets "Troxerutin" are prescribed by a doctor, as they are contraindicated in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes this drug can cause allergic reactions.

But "Troxerutin" and its analogue "Troxevasin" are effective for venous insufficiency, trophic disorders in the limbs, and varicose veins. They improve blood circulation, relieve swelling, heaviness in the legs and cramps.

Medications - the cause of seizures

Legs cramps at night with the abuse of laxatives, hormonal, antihypertensive (reduce blood pressure) drugs.

One of the causes of cramps in the calves and thighs at night is treatment with diuretics, they are prescribed for hypertension, heart failure.

With urine, the body loses a lot of magnesium, sodium, potassium, which are involved in the contraction and relaxation of the leg and other muscles, transmission nerve impulse.

Urgent care

With the frequent occurrence of cramps in the legs, you need to know what to do in an emergency to get rid of such symptoms:

• it is recommended to pull the toes of the cramped leg towards you, and if it’s hard to reach out, you can use a towel or belt to tighten your fingers;
• in the event that there was nothing at hand that could help, you can stand with your whole foot on your toes, so that the foot bends up as much as possible, then relax and stretch the calf muscle;
• it is necessary to massage the leg muscle starting from the fingertips, towards the knee, as well as pinch and pat the leg.

Massage of the calf muscles allows you to quickly get rid of cramps

For some patients, very strong muscle spasms can be relieved by a hot foot bath.

How to help - what to do with spasm of the calf muscles

A cramp is always accompanied by a sharp pain that lasts for quite a long time. Some sources advise using a needle or pin as a quick way to eliminate crumpy - you need to prick into a tense muscle, especially when hitting a trigger point. But this method is not safe, and it is quite problematic to look for a sharp object in the dark during severe pain.

But the method with a needle works effectively with convulsive contraction during swimming, helping to quickly return to duty. One minus - a prick with a non-disinfected needle can lead to infection, but swimmers pin a pin to their swimming trunks in order to help themselves in time.

There is an experience of a folk remedy to sleep with a wrench in the legs instead of a kitten. The cold body of the metal does not allow convulsions to manifest in the night. Helps a lot.

The best solution for relieving cramps is massage and stretching, especially before bed. To relieve tension, you should stretch the muscle well, making passive movements.

How to relieve spasm of the calf muscle

When convulsions appear, you should take the straightened leg by the toe, gently pulling it towards you (lying or sitting). The exercise should be carried out smoothly, without sudden movements, trying to follow the stretching rule - the body should follow along the leg, leaning towards the foot.

Read the book: "6 Rules for Effective and Safe Stretching"

After removing krampi, you need to carry out stroking massage movements, in the direction from the foot up. This will help relieve swelling, restore blood circulation.

After the pain has disappeared, it is advisable to put your foot on an elevation (roller, pillow).

Local treatment and exercises

Ointments and creams are used mainly for the vascular nature of the symptoms. With diagnosed varicose veins on the legs twice / day, you need to apply the following ointments:

The frequency, strength of spastic contractions after the start of the use of such drugs quickly decreases, pain and swelling disappear, because the blood and lymph flow is activated. Traumeel homeopathic ointment can be used to massage calves or other muscles - after a month of use, you can notice a significant improvement in blood circulation in the limbs.

You can prevent an attack of convulsions by special exercises, if you notice its approach in time.

Against spasms, you need to lie on the bed, stretch hard, point your toes towards yourself. Muscles during this exercise should be tense. You can also stand on your toes, then abruptly roll over on your heels, this will also help against an attack.

Drugs used for severe spasms

To successfully and effectively get rid of the disease, it is necessary to find the causes of spasms. If this is a disease, then its treatment is required, if there is a deficiency of substances in the body, a complex of vitamins is required.

In some cases, you can not do without a complex of medicines from injections.

Quinine is a new generation drug administered under the skin or intravenously. It has a minimal list of contraindications and effective results.

The main use is for the treatment of malaria. In addition, it is introduced to relieve muscle tone.

Contraindications:

• body intolerance;
• diseases of the middle ear.

This medicine is highly effective in the fight against these diseases.

Provoking factors

The triggers are:

• abuse of alcohol, coffee, black tea, smoking;
• hypodynamia;
• intramuscular injection;
• sudden sharp sound or smell;
• irrational nutrition;
• sleeping in an uncomfortable position;
• too high or low temperature in room.

Secondary paroxysms in the elderly can be caused by certain groups of drugs that provoke muscle spasms. This is:

• diuretics - diuretics used for edema, high blood pressure, renal and heart failure;
• statins - lower blood cholesterol levels;
• Nifedipine - treatment of angina;
• Raloxifene - prevention of bone tissue destruction during menopause.

Decreased ATP production

A decrease in the production of ATP in the body (adenosine triphosphate, adenosine triphosphoric acid), the main energy carrier, impairs metabolic processes inside the calf muscles, thighs and feet, disrupts the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals, increases the reflex to contraction, and reduces the ability of the muscles to relax.

To eliminate this cause of cramps at night and treat the muscles of the legs so that they do not reduce, succinic acid is used.

The drug stimulates metabolic and energy processes in the body, mobilizes, quickly restores strength, relieves pain in overtrained or tired muscles, accelerates the regeneration of muscle tissue.

"Magnerot": instruction

To compensate for the lack of magnesium, you need to drink special preparations for at least 1-2 months. But a person feels relief after a few days - the convulsions stop. One of the best means for this is Magnerot. The instruction notes that it should be taken in violation of the heart rhythm and muscle spasms. It contains magnesium orotate dihydrate and auxiliary components.

The drug is well tolerated, but it is not recommended for children and patients with impaired renal function. In addition, allergic reactions are sometimes possible. Assign "Magnerot" during the first week of treatment, 2 tablets three times a day, then it is enough to drink 1 piece. The course of treatment is set individually, but not less than a month. Sometimes a different regimen is recommended. If the patient is concerned about night cramps, you can drink 2-3 tablets before bedtime.

Pills and injections for seizures

Most often pain spasms in the muscles are eliminated with a course of magnesium, potassium and calcium preparations. These include the following tools:

The course of treatment is 1-2 months, usually during such a period of time the symptoms recede. During pregnancy, complex drugs are prescribed containing all vitamins and minerals in an increased amount, always with folic acid.

If muscle spasm is caused by a disease, etiotropic therapy is carried out, aimed at eliminating the cause.

Nervous diseases and stresses that provoke phenomena in the legs are treated by taking antipsychotics, tranquilizers, and sedatives. Varicose veins are treated by taking Phlebodia, Troxerutin, Detralex and other venotonics. The traumatic nature of spasms necessitates massage courses, manual therapy to relieve compression of the nerve roots. At the same time, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are given in injections or tablets.

In the event that leg cramps do not go away for a long time, they are accompanied by additional dangerous symptoms, you need to call an ambulance in order to prevent dangerous complications if something happens.

Are painkillers needed?

Seizures can cause severe pain. But they last no more than two minutes, so during the spasm itself it makes no sense to drink painkillers. But such drugs can be prescribed in complex therapy for frequently recurring spasms. Usually used "Analgin" or "Paracetamol". They have a moderate analgesic effect.

A commonly used drug is Aspirin. Acetylsalicylic acid has the ability to thin the blood and improve blood circulation, so that the drug has not only an analgesic effect. Therefore, in the complex treatment of seizures, it is often prescribed.

Leg cramps at night, the cause and treatment of such an unpleasant situation, we will consider in detail in the article below. Do not ignore muscle spasms of the calves. Firstly, they cause inconvenience and disrupt sleep. And secondly, are the first "" alarm calls"" some pathologies. Most of us, at least once in our lives, have experienced an extremely unpleasant sensation when we cramp our legs. This symptom is accompanied by a sharp pain in the muscles of the limb. It cannot be controlled in any way and most often the attack happens at night. In medical terminology, the process is called crumpy syndrome. Science and medicine are still looking for the exact causes of occurrence.

Crampy (painful spasm) is quite common. It is accompanied by ischemic pain from a sharp contraction of the muscles and the same sharp decrease in blood flow in the arteries.

Nerve impulse - connection with muscles and nerves endings . If the impulse does not pass with the command to relax, the contracted muscle remains for some time compressed, petrified, until the signal is activated.

In the legs, spasms of the clonic type are formed in the striated tissue.

Why at night? Sleep, rest reduces blood circulation, as the muscles rest and do not participate in this process, and the blood in connection various reasons(thickening, varicose veins, thrombosis) cannot freely move through the veins. Moreover, the muscle is not elastic, does not give free blood circulation. And all this is superimposed by other factors, below about them in more detail.

There are a lot of reasons that provoke nocturnal spasm. They can be divided according to etiology.

1. Violation of electrolyte metabolism (potassium, calcium, magnesium), it is the most common.
2. Associated with general and chronic diseases.
3. When taking medications.
4. Physiological.
5. Neurological.

In addition, it is worth distinguishing between convulsions that occur with pathologies of the nervous system and myogenic ().

To understand why it cramps the muscles of the lower leg at night, you need to dwell on each point in more detail.

Violation of electrolyte metabolism

The main cause of night cramps is the lack of potassium, calcium, magnesium. These elements play important role in the transmission of a nerve impulse to the muscles, and are directly responsible for contraction, with a decrease in their concentration in the blood, a spasm occurs.

Metals are easily excreted in urine, sweat, and prolonged diarrhea. Therefore, their control is very important.

Rarely leads to spasms. Prescribing it to yourself without a doctor's recommendation can lead to unpleasant consequences - calcification. But it can solve this problem if other pathologies are not found.

Convulsions can lead to and (which does not allow absorption of calcium), as well as group B (play an important role in regulating the functioning of the nervous system).

Somatic diseases

1. In almost 90% of cases, night cramps are observed in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. With this disease, there are serious violations of the balance of electrolytes, as well as a decrease in the volume of circulating blood.
2. Spasm of the calf muscle of one leg can be provoked by varicose veins. Varicose veins significantly reduce blood circulation, so even on early stages diseases after long walks, convulsive contractions are observed.
3. Kidney pathologies affect metabolic processes, excessive excretion of trace elements in the urine. Especially diseases of the urinary system affect the development of hypokalemia.
4. Diabetes mellitus affects the microcirculation of the lower extremities, as well as homeostasis due to endocrine disorders.
5. Hypertensive patients regularly drink diuretics to reduce blood pressure.
6. Hypothyroidism. Calcium deficiency depends on the functioning of the thyroid gland.
7. Anemia.

Taking medication

Cramps may occur in the background long-term use drugs that affect the amount of electrolytes in the blood and their accelerated excretion. Leg cramps can occur with the use of the following groups of drugs:

• Statins.
• Steroids.
• Diuretics.
• Beta blockers.
• Immunosuppressants.
• lithium preparations.
• Morphine.
• Means for the treatment of HIV (antiretroviral therapy).

Especially often side effects are observed due to prolonged use, when dosages are exceeded. Hormonal contraceptives can provoke a decrease in the absorption of calcium, so the uncontrolled use of these drugs leads to hypocalcemia, which leads to cramps.

Physiological causes

Leg muscle cramps at night, the treatment of which largely depends on the factors of occurrence, in most cases are associated with lifestyle. Moreover, spasm is observed not only in people with reduced motor activity (crampy provokes an increase in load against the background of adynamia), but also in athletes due to excessive overstrain.

1. Long sitting position.
2. Flat feet.
3. Bad habits (alcohol, smoking).
4. Rigid diets.
5. Spasm can be provoked by excessive consumption of table salt (sodium-potassium balance is disturbed).
6. Dehydration (due to various factors - sweating, vomiting, diarrhea).

Causes of leg cramps in pregnant women

Why the calf muscles cramp in pregnant women is explained by a decrease in magnesium, plus dehydration (dehydration, toxicosis) has a significant effect. The body of the expectant mother needs an increased intake of vitamins and minerals in tablet form, as prescribed by the gynecologist, at a time when you don’t want to look at food. Non-compliance with doctor's prescriptions, a poor diet often lead to a deficiency of essential nutrients.

Often, spasm occurs against the background of the debut of varicose veins, which often develops during pregnancy with weight gain, as well as stress on the legs.

Neurological diseases

According to statistics, in patients with Parkinson's disease, seizures develop in 97 percent of cases. For many diseases of the nervous system, muscle spasms are the earliest and only signs of the onset of the disease, when there are no clear clinical manifestations.

The causes of leg muscle cramps at night, the treatment of which should correspond to the etiology, often lies in the high excitability of the nervous system. It is because of the excessive activity of the central nervous system in neuropathies that spontaneous convulsive contractions occur.

Pathologies that can lead to the development of cramps include.

1. Parkinson's disease.
2. Sclerosis.
3. Myodystrophy.
4. Radiculopathy.
5. Neuropathy - especially often a spasm joins with tunnel syndromes.
6. Rigid man syndrome - accompanied by muscle tension and their convulsive contractions. The disease is characterized not only by damage to the calves of the legs, but also by spasm of the dorsal, abdominal and facial muscles.

Separately, it is worth considering radiculopathy, as the causes of spasm of the calf muscles. Especially often convulsions occur with hernias of the lumbar. Strengthening the manifestation of the disease contributes to prolonged overstrain, irrational load distribution, which leads to muscle wasting.

How does spasm of the calf muscle manifest?

Unpleasant sensations most often occur at night, leading to sleep disturbance. With daytime rest, convulsions practically do not occur. By the way, spasm can affect not only the muscles of the calves, but also the small muscles of the feet. Often after an attack, the leg remains in a bent state (plantar flexion). Which, all the same, passes after stretching or massage.

In the muscles, soreness and hypersensitivity can be observed for a long time. Crampy is observed unilateral, without any precursors. When examining the leg, during an attack, a dense muscle cord is clearly distinguished.

Diagnostics

The basis for identifying a strong spasm of the calf muscle is the definition of causes. The examination should be thorough, with a detailed clarification of the anamnesis, physical activity, the presence of diseases.

• A blood test for the total content of calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus (for electrolytes).
• General analysis of blood and urine.
• Biochemistry with the determination of liver enzymes (ALT, AST), creatine phosphokinase (muscle damage is determined), glucose, hemoglobin, urea.
• Blood for the content of vitamins D and B.
• Analysis of the content of hormones of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
• Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower extremity (if varicose veins are suspected).

As additional examinations, it is possible to prescribe an MRI of the head or spinal cord, electroneurography (determination of the conductivity of excitation).

How to help - what to do with spasm of the calf muscles

A cramp is always accompanied by a sharp pain that lasts for quite a long time. Some sources advise using a needle or pin as a quick way to eliminate crumpy - you need to prick into a tense muscle, especially when hitting a trigger point. But this method is not safe, and it is quite problematic to look for a sharp object in the dark during severe pain.

But the method with a needle works effectively with convulsive contraction during swimming, helping to quickly return to duty. One minus - a prick with a non-disinfected needle can lead to infection, but swimmers pin a pin to their swimming trunks in order to help themselves in time.

There is an experience of a folk remedy to sleep with a wrench in the legs instead of a kitten. The cold body of the metal does not allow convulsions to manifest in the night. Helps a lot.

The best solution for relieving cramps is massage and stretching, especially before bed. To relieve tension, you should stretch the muscle well, making passive movements.

How to relieve spasm of the calf muscle

When convulsions appear, you should take the straightened leg by the toe, gently pulling it towards you (lying or sitting). The exercise should be carried out smoothly, without sudden movements, trying to follow the stretching rule - the body should follow along the leg, leaning towards the foot.

After removing krampi, you need to carry out stroking massage movements, in the direction from the foot up. This will help relieve swelling, restore blood circulation.

After the pain has disappeared, it is advisable to put your foot on an elevation (roller, pillow).

Leg cramps at night - treatment

The causes of spasm are very diverse, so the therapy and prevention of cramps are reduced to the elimination of the factors of occurrence. It is recommended to change the lifestyle - regularly carry out physical exercise, become more active. It should be remembered that all loads should be increased gradually so as not to provoke the appearance of spasm from overvoltage.

• • Establishing a sleep schedule - you need to go to bed when there is a desire to sleep. Be sure to ventilate the room before going to bed, and the atmosphere should also be as comfortable as possible for you. It is necessary to exclude the use of psychostimulating substances at night (alcohol, coffee).
  • Rational diet - it is desirable to add foods rich in calcium and potassium to the diet. Enter fatty fish to compensate for the deficiency of phosphorus, vitamin D, an excellent replacement in capsules.
  • Relaxing warm foot baths at night with light massage.
  • It is also recommended to carry out daily self-massage and stretching exercises.

The video shows cool exercises, the 4th most effective, I do it every day.

Studies have shown that using these techniques significantly reduces crampy episodes. It takes only 3 minutes to complete the complex, which includes repetition of stretching exercises 3 times with breaks of 10 seconds. It is desirable to involve not only the muscles of the calf, but also the muscles of the back of the thigh.

To prevent spasm of the calf muscles during sleep, stretching exercises should be used 3 times a day (10 seconds each with 4 repetitions and a rest of 5 seconds).

Leg cramps at night: causes, treatment, pills - all these factors are closely related. First of all, calcium, potassium, magnesium preparations are prescribed for drug treatment. It usually helps enough. But there is an opinion that Ca is not worth drinking at all in supplements, it is enough in the body, it is simply not absorbed, but is deposited in the form of salts everywhere. confirmed its importance in long-term studies on the assimilation of Ca.

Apply symptomatic treatment neurological diseases, as well as the correction of somatic diseases, treatment in this case is prescribed strictly individually, based on the results of the examination.

With cramps of unknown etiology, especially those that occur frequently, with severe pain, quinine, muscle relaxant preparations (baclofen), anticonvulsant, antiepileptic drugs are used painfully and medicinally.

Exercises for leg cramps at night

Causes, treatment are undoubtedly important points for eliminating spasm. But the best thing to do timely prevention which contributes to the elimination important factor in the appearance of crumpy - low activity.

Complex exercise therapy:

1. In a standing position, slowly rise on your toes, diligently stretching up. Then drop down. Repeat - 5 times.
2. Roll on the heel - it is similar to the previous tasks, but after the rise you need to roll on the heel.
3. Imitation of walking - do not take your feet off the floor, only raising your heels to carry out a movement similar to steps in place.
4. Scissors and a bicycle are well-known gymnastics since school days. It is important to do them slowly, stretching the sock.

Although the spasm of the calf muscles at night, the causes and treatment of which we examined in detail in our article, is an unpleasant phenomenon, but it does not have serious complications or an unfavorable prognosis.

Cramps can significantly reduce the quality of sleep, leading to chronic sleep deprivation. Be sure to conduct a diagnosis to determine the factors that provoke the appearance of discomfort, as they can be early symptoms serious illnesses.

In conclusion my story

I was tormented by night cramps in the calf muscles as a child at the age of 14, I didn’t even tell my parents, I managed it myself. She tightly wrapped her hands around her tense shin and squeezed tightly until it passed. The duration was not long, maybe 30 seconds. Then during the first pregnancy and breastfeeding, I was 20 years old, the cramps repeated several times, but they were on one leg.

Many years have passed and I am already 50, and I recalled the sensations of spasm during the day, during sleep, and even on both legs alternately. I woke up with severe pain in the calf muscle of my right leg. It lasted, it seemed to me, forever, about 3 minutes. I could not straighten my leg to pull on the sock. I called my husband to bring whatever came from the freezer (I got currants). I put it on my calf and slowly got to my feet and stretched to restore blood circulation. Released, I breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. She lay down on the bed, when suddenly the second attack on the other leg repeated the hellish pain. Already by the same method with ice currants and stretching, the spasm was released. It's been a year and I can't forget it.

The situation was provoked by a large loss of potassium, calcium, magnesium during a long business trip in the heat. I drank a little (so that I would go to the toilet less often), I sweated a lot, plus varicose veins are present. Now for prevention, I regularly stretch my calves. And be sure, I drink it twice a year (in the summer in the heat and in the spring).

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And most importantly, take care of yourself and your loved ones!

Cramps are uncontrolled spasms of the muscles of the upper and lower extremities, which are accompanied by intense pain. In most cases, convulsions occur during sleep at night and can vary in time. During an attack, there is a hardening of the muscles of the legs, a violation of peripheral blood flow, a decrease in the amount of oxygen supplied with the blood. With involuntary contractions, a sharp pain occurs, and the leg tightens. Therefore, you need to know what to do with leg cramps. Emergency help at home will help stop the attack and relax the muscles of the limbs.

Leg muscle cramps and their features

The muscles of the lower extremities are part of the skeletal muscles and are distinguished by a striated structure. When smooth muscles contract, a spasm occurs, accompanied by pulling pains, then during a spasm of skeletal muscles, a sharp pain appears, loss of control over the muscle during an attack.

Doctors classify leg cramps into three basic types:

• Tonic - the attack is short-lived. A number of endogenous and exogenous factors can provoke a muscle spasm of this type;
• Clonic - the intensity of muscle contractions gradually increases, and then suddenly stops. Such seizures are due to neurological pathologies;
• Tonic-clonic - such convulsions are characteristic of patients suffering from epilepsy.

If you rarely cramp your legs, and the discomfort disappears on its own in a short time, then you should not worry. But the systematic appearance of convulsions, the appearance of sharp pain during increased physical exertion or during rest, the spread of discomfort to the entire surface of the leg and to the second limb is a symptom that requires immediate treatment for medical care and undergoing a comprehensive examination. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope with such a state on your own.

Classification of leg cramps depending on localization

Muscle cramps can affect different parts of the leg. Most often there is a spasm of the calf muscles, cramps in the femoral part of the leg, knee and toes. Involuntary muscle contractions occur during high physical exertion or temperature changes environment. Many are faced with the fact that it reduces the leg in the water.

Cramps in the toes

Reduces feet and toes due to slowing of peripheral circulation in the arteries and capillaries of the lower extremities. Pathology of ligament formation can provoke an attack. Most often, the appearance of cramps in the foot indicates:

• An increase in blood glucose levels;
• The presence of a disease such as obliterating endarteritis;
• flat feet;
• Abuse of alcohol or a large "experience of a smoker";
• Violations of metabolic processes;
• Wearing shoes that don't fit;
• Injury to the foot (bruises, dislocations, fractures).

Interesting!

Fingers and feet are permeated with a network of small blood vessels and nerve endings. When the nerve roots are pinched, numbness of the limb occurs, which is accompanied by sharp pain or cramps.

Contractions of the muscles of the leg

Most often, patients complain of cramps in the leg below the knee. This is due to the increased load on the lower leg when walking, which is accompanied by an intense contraction of the calf muscles. The muscles above the knee are practically not involved in movement, so hip cramps are less common. To provoke the appearance of tonic spasms can:

• dehydration or poisoning;
• Liver damage (hepatitis, cirrhosis);
• Varicose veins and venous insufficiency;
• kidney dysfunction;
• Blood transfusion;
• Improper intake of diuretics;
• Acute viral or bacterial diseases;
• Endocrine disorders;
• Epilepsy.

On a note!

In the presence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, leg cramps are one of the symptoms of their progression.

How to eliminate cramps at home

If your leg is severely cramped and does not let go for a long time, simple tricks will help relieve muscle spasm in the leg:

• The patient should lie on his back and pull his toes towards him, straightening them;
• You can try stretching your leg while sitting;
• A pin or needle prick into a pinched muscle will help to quickly relieve a cramp in the leg;
• Massage can help stop cramps. First, gently stroke the foot, then rub it intensively. A warming ointment (Dolobene, Voltaren, Diklak) can increase the effectiveness of self-massage. Massage movements are performed from the bottom up: from the foot to the lower leg and thigh.

Health care

First aid for leg cramps is effective for single attacks. When he cramps his legs regularly, it is urgent to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and establish the cause of this condition. If systemic diseases are not detected, drug treatment is not carried out. With regular attacks, patients are recommended multivitamin complexes or general strengthening agents. To help with cramps in the legs can drugs, which include:

• Magnesium;
• potassium and calcium;
• Vitamins A, B, C and E.

Warming and anesthetic ointments or gels are applied locally.

The treatment regimen is prescribed by the doctor based on the results of clinical tests and instrumental studies, after establishing the cause of the seizures. In most cases, treatment of the identified systemic disease reduces the number and intensity of attacks of involuntary muscle spasms.

Expert opinion!

With cramps in the lower extremities, it is forbidden to self-medicate. Self-selection of drugs can lead to the development dangerous complications and the progression of a systemic disease that provoked muscle spasm.

Folk recipes

Folk healers offer their own recipes for eliminating spasms in the muscles of the legs. Most popular recipes:

• Drink on an empty stomach a tablespoon of natural liquid honey diluted in a glass of boiled water;
• A tablespoon of dried clover, calendula and yellow sweet clover is steamed with boiling water and left for 2 hours. The resulting infusion is used in the form of compresses;
• 100 grams of dried tansy pour 0.5 liters of alcohol or vodka. After a week, you can apply tincture for rubbing and compresses.

Proper nutrition

Often involuntary contractions in the legs are due to an unbalanced diet. Therefore, the patient is recommended a special diet, including foods containing potassium, calcium, magnesium. Phosphorus and Vitamin D:

• Milk and dairy products;
• Fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs;
• Kashi;
• Seafood - fish, kelp, squid, crabs, mussels.

Preventive actions

Simple rules will help minimize the risk of recurrence of spasms:

• Strength training or jogging in the fresh air;
• Alternation of active and passive rest;
• Full sleep;
• The choice of shoes by size, from natural materials;
• Refusal of too tight clothes and underwear;
• Rubbing the feet with essential oils of ginger, juniper or mint;
• Contrast shower (alternating warm and cool water);
• Relaxing foot baths;
• Refusal of bad habits (smoking and alcohol abuse);
• Body weight control;
• Enrichment daily diet products containing vitamins and minerals;
• Compliance with the drinking regime: you should drink from 1.5 to 2 liters of pure non-carbonated water per day;
• Sleep in socks made of natural fabric.

Systematic uncontrolled muscle contractions lead to a deterioration in peripheral blood flow, are accompanied by pain, and worsen overall well-being. Therefore, with a regular recurrence of attacks, you should seek qualified medical help.

Seizures in most cases indicate the progression of a systemic disease. Therefore, before starting treatment, you should go through comprehensive examination and determine the cause of their occurrence. healthy image lifestyle, proper nutrition, moderate exercise and regular preventive examinations by a doctor minimize the risk of seizures.

Muscle cramps or spasm is an involuntary contraction of muscle groups. In this case, there is a strong, sharp and acute pain, accompanied by numbness. The muscle lacks oxygen and nutrients.

Leg cramps are not uncommon. Both men and women suffer from them.

According to statistics, every person at least once in his life faced with such a problem. The causes of spasms must be determined and treatment prescribed. Many of them have long been known, studied and amenable to rapid treatment.

General information about the problem of seizures

What are convulsions

We have already figured out that cramps represent uncontrolled muscle contraction.

Muscle spasms in medicine are divided into several types:

• Myoclonic when muscle contraction is short-term without pain.
• clonic. Longer, muscles contract rhythmically with repetitions.
• tonic. They are characterized by prolonged muscle tension. It can cramp any part of the body or the entire torso. Seizures sometimes cause loss of consciousness.
• Tonic-clonic. A combination of two types of spasms.
• Partial that appear rarely and do not pose a threat to health.

With leg spasm appears pain syndrome- sharp, painful, with a feeling of petrification of the body. It appears suddenly and lasts up to 5 minutes. As soon as the muscles relax, the symptoms go away.

Causes

Vitamin and macronutrient deficiency

Namely - calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D. They are necessary for the full functioning of the nervous system and the transmission of impulses to the muscles.

If the body lacks them due to an unbalanced diet, the use of harmful substances, a large amount of protein, drugs, then similar problems appear.

Dehydration

When excessive sweating occurs big loss useful trace elements responsible for the functioning muscular system, convulsions appear.

To avoid this situation, it is necessary to drink water up to 2.5 liters per day. This is true in the hot summer and with active sports activities.

physical overload

Often, during sports training, the body receives an uneven load. Perhaps an insufficient warm-up was performed, the muscles were not warmed up.

Overstrain of the muscle group is typical for people engaged in hard work. All these indicators lead to disruption in the functioning muscle mass. If you do not give the muscle a rest, then it is depleted and, as a result, convulsions.

Temperature spikes

For example, swimming in cold water causes the muscles to contract, so you should be attentive to the temperature.

Diseases

These include improper metabolism, vascular pathologies, leg injuries. Usually, consultations of narrow specialists are necessary for treatment - a neuropathologist, endocrinologist, phlebologist, orthopedist.

Obliterating atherosclerosis

I would like to single out this pathology separately, since it has become the scourge of the modern world. It spreads with an increase in the standard of living of the population.

The reason is excessive smoking, diet, sedentary lifestyle. This leads to blockage in the vessels and the formation of plaques. The most commonly affected are the iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries and muscles that lack oxygen.

Interestingly, smokers are 5 times more likely to have seizures.

stressful situations

When a person is emotionally stressed, a nervous breakdown occurs. At this time, the body experiences an intense load and, first of all, the nerve endings suffer.

A large amount of the stress hormone, also known as cortisol, disrupts the balance of micro and macro elements, which leads to calcium deficiency. And as a result, muscle cramps appear.

Types of seizures

Muscle spasms

Muscles are reduced due to improper transmission of the nerve impulse to the muscle for relaxation.

At first nerve signal appears in the brain and goes through the nerve to the muscle, after which the electrical impulse passes to its surface.

Through special tubules, the signal spreads throughout the muscle tissue. Excitation reaches the tanks, which are cellular formations with a large amount of calcium ions.

As a result, calcium enters the intracellular space and starts the process of approaching actin and myosin filaments. When they come together, the entire muscle contracts.

The muscles of the lower leg, anterior and posterior thighs suffer from such spasms.

The strength of convulsions is different and can vary from a simple twitch to the most powerful pain contractions.

Muscles in spasm are like stone - hard, tight and bulging. An attack can last from 1 to 15 minutes. Repetitions are possible.

Most often suffer from seizures:

• - athletes;
• - movers;
• - sellers;
• - swimmers;
• — surgeons.

Contractions of the toes

When toes suffer from muscle contractions, then the problem is most likely a metabolic disorder and the presence of other pathologies.

Often this is a signal of the body in case of joint diseases, venous insufficiency, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus. As a result, the muscle excitability threshold decreases and contractions appear.

If you walk in the wrong shoes for a long time, then such symptoms may also appear. When seizures become frequent, you should consult a doctor to determine real reason and treatment.

Often, after excessive exercise and muscle fatigue, metabolites accumulate in the tissues, including lactic acid. This leads to spontaneous convulsions at night.

Foot cramps

Feet suffer from muscle contractions due to flat feet or neurological pathology. Be sure to consult an orthopedist or neurologist.

You can reduce the number of attacks by reducing the load on the legs, taking vitamin complexes, changing shoes to the right one.

Why cramps disturb at night

The answer is simple. Because blood circulation slows down at night, and the muscles receive fewer nutrients. The body is at rest during this time. Always work - the heart, lungs, diaphragm and brain, and the muscles relax. Or maybe it's just because of the awkward position of the body.

In addition, the brain works hard during sleep during REM sleep. Even a small excitation of nerve cells causes muscle spasms.

When cramps occur several times a night, it is recommended to increase the content of calcium, potassium and magnesium in the diet. These are buckwheat, oatmeal, lentils, legumes, dried fruits, nuts, seaweed, dairy products.

To vessels circulatory system function at full capacity, you will have to give up nicotine, caffeine and sugar. It is preferable to replace animal protein with dietary poultry meat.

It is useful to walk a lot at a slow pace, sleep on a comfortable bed with a good mattress.

Seizures during pregnancy

Complaints of muscle spasm during this period are not rare. In the 1st trimester, the cause is toxicosis, with which potassium, calcium, and magnesium are washed out. In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters - an increased lack of vital trace elements.

In the later stages, due to the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the inferior vena cava, outflow is difficult venous blood from the lower limbs.

The abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava are compressed. And with the growth of the child, the pressure increases, circulatory disorders in this area progress. Stagnation of blood and edema is formed.

Tissue nutrition is disturbed, oxygen deficiency appears and, as a result, an increase in the risk of seizures.

There are actually many reasons for the appearance of spasms during childbearing:

• - violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism;
• - anemia - a decrease in the level of red blood cells, which affects the gas exchange between air, blood and tissues;
• - deficiency of vitamin B, magnesium, calcium, potassium;
• - high blood sugar levels;
• - varicose veins - thinning of the venous wall and protrusion beyond the normal contours. Appears in patients with heart failure, obesity associated with standing hours of work;
• - vascular pathologies;
• - a large amount of caffeine;
• - insufficiently mobile lifestyle;
• - violation of blood circulation;
• - thrombophlebitis, which is an inflammation of the veins.

As soon as convulsions appear, they must be eliminated. A balanced diet, vitamins, physical activity in small quantities is recommended. When seizures are frequent, the doctor prescribes treatment to find out the cause of their occurrence.

Harbingers of muscle spasm

Even healthy people can develop muscle cramps for no apparent reason. This does not require any special measures.

Usually, before the muscles spasmed, they were preceded by the following events:

• unusual physical activity for people with a sedentary lifestyle;
• stress can be very receptive for some people, and this includes not only negative, but also positive emotions;
• exacerbation of pathologies, since during such a period the whole body suffers, especially weak points, for example, muscles;
• poor climatic conditions, characterized by a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, which leads to convulsions.

Seizure treatment

First aid for seizures

To help yourself or another person get rid of excruciating pain during a muscle spasm, you need to:

When the back of the thigh was injured, also from a standing position, put the leg forward 1 step on the heel, bend the second healthy one at the knee and slowly begin to stretch the injured by pulling the pelvis back. The exercise is similar to the situation when you need to take off your shoes.

1. Cooling compress.
2. Attempting to pinch or prick a muscle with a pen or fork. Of course not much!
3. Once the spasm is relieved, stroking or light massage will help achieve maximum relaxation.

These tips will help get rid of muscle cramps in a short time by relaxing a tense muscle, blood flow to the legs and getting rid of pain.

When the muscle has returned to its normal state, it needs to be looked after. To do this, lie on your back, put a pillow under your legs, creating an angle of 60 degrees and relax.

Therapy

Therapy and prevention of muscle spasms is to normalize the performance of the vascular and circulatory system. It is important to reconsider nutrition, to include more vitamins, macro and microelements in it. Limit junk food and drinks in the form of alcohol, fast food, pickles, smoked meats, sweets, carbonated drinks.

It is recommended to monitor the amount of fluid in the body.

You need to drink 2-3 liters per day of water without gas, green tea, compotes, juices, fruit drinks.

But, black tea and coffee should be limited due to their diuretic properties.

It is useful to go in for sports, especially with the nature of sedentary work. Before going to bed, it is recommended to do stretching exercises, yoga, Pilates. At the same time, it will help relieve stress for the day.

You can treat yourself to a bath with aromatic oils - rose, lavender, mint, ylang-ylang.

Medical therapy

Treatment with drugs is prescribed by a doctor. These can be means for correcting metabolism, restoring the functioning of blood vessels and the circulatory system, vitamins, microelements.

To eliminate the cause of seizures, barbiturates, Phenazepam, Magnesium sulfate, Aminazine, Urokinase, and iron are used.

Therapy is needed for a partial or epileptic seizure, which is a type of seizure. Typically, such patients are prescribed benzodiazepines, GABA derivatives, trace elements, anticonvulsants.

Folk recipes

Folk methods effectively reduce the number of seizures and relieve pain, help improve blood circulation in the legs, and make the vessels elastic.

Treatment folk remedies- an additional measure to the main therapy.

The most used means:

Gymnastics

A special medical gymnastics complex has been developed to help get rid of leg cramps.

This contributes to good vein patency, makes muscles work, trains them to contract and relax, strengthens the ligamentous and articular apparatus, and relieves stress and emotional tension.

Also, such gymnastics is an excellent prevention of varicose veins, arthritis and arthrosis. Consists of the following exercises:

Standing performed:

Lying are performed:

• leg movement - bicycle;
• swing legs - 30 times and crosswise - 20 times.

Gymnastics is very simple and even doing it once a day, you can forget about cramps in the legs, feet and fingers. It is recommended to complete the set of exercises by taking hot bath with salt and aromatic oils.

1. If you need to lift a heavy weight, it is better to divide it into parts.
2. Carry the load with a straight back.
3. Take a break after 30 minutes of work.
4. The lunch break should not be less than 1 hour.
5. A warm shower is recommended before going to bed.
6. Sleep should be at least 6 hours a day.
7. You need to fall asleep and wake up at the same time.

Compliance with the regime of work and rest, proper nutrition and stress on the muscles will prevent, and this is better than treating convulsions.

Leg cramps occur at any age, but most of all they annoy people over the age of 50. Cramps are involuntary contractions of the striated muscles of the legs, which can be caused by various reasons. Abbreviations skeletal muscle are paroxysmal in nature and are often unbearably painful.

Numerous causes of muscle spasms are well studied by medicine, are easily corrected, and are quickly treated. If you are constantly suffering from contractions of the limbs, then be sure to consult a doctor who will help you solve this problem.

In this article, we will look at why it cramps legs, especially at night over the age of 50. What is the cause of this unpleasant symptom, and what should be done at home so that cramps no longer bother.

What causes leg cramps?

The reasons why leg cramps develop at night lie in electrolyte imbalances in muscle cells, inadequate blood supply to soft tissues, or neurological problems.

These three groups of causes can occur both in isolation and in various combinations, accompanying congenital anomalies or acquired diseases. It is not so important what the age of the patient is, since the mechanisms of myoclonus development are almost identical for children, adults and the elderly (including those over the age of 50).

1. muscle strain(for example, when working for a long time in the garden near the beds or professional cramps in the muscles of the hands of tailors or, say, musicians);
2. Rapid rise in temperature leads to hyperthermic convulsions. This condition can occur with heat, sunstroke, as well as in diseases accompanied by fever.
3. Dehydration. With active sweating, there is a significant loss of trace elements that ensure the healthy functioning of the muscles. Therefore, it is so important to drink up to 2.5 liters of water per day, especially during the hot summer season and during active sports.
4. One of the reasons that it brings legs together at night can be the beginning. Other symptoms of this pathology are swelling, heaviness in the legs, fatigue.
5. Infectious damage to the nervous system It is also a fairly common cause of leg cramps. Such a lesion can be with the flu, as well as with other infections.
6. Stress. During emotional stress, a nervous breakdown, an intense load occurs on the entire human body, primarily on the nerve endings responsible for contractions of the muscles of the body. An excess of the stress hormone (cortisol) leads to an imbalance of micro and macro elements, leads to a lack of calcium in the body, which is necessary for healthy functioning, muscle tension and relaxation.
7. Violations of the biochemical or electrolyte composition of the blood(with loss of calcium, potassium, magnesium salts, lack of vitamin D).

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be caused by:

1. stressful state, in which cortisol is produced in large quantities (it impairs the absorption of calcium in the intestines, contributes to its excretion in the urine);
2. Long-term medication that hinder the absorption and further assimilation of magnesium in the body. Lead to a similar effect antacids Maalox and Almagel, which are used for heartburn. Their action is to envelop the gastric mucosa to protect against aggressive impact of hydrochloric acid. At the same time, there is a slowdown in the absorption of trace elements and vitamins. Eufillin and insulin remove magnesium from cells.
3. High protein intake(glucose is absorbed not from carbohydrates, but from the fat reserves of the body, which causes ketones to appear in the blood, which contribute to the excretion of calcium in the urine);
4. Pregnant woman in case of non-compliance with a balanced diet (lack of calcium, magnesium);
5. Prolonged lack of effect on the body sun rays (lack of vitamin D, leading to a deterioration in the absorption of calcium) - residents of northern latitudes are susceptible to this;
6. Increased sweating, which leads to the excretion of magnesium along with sweat, as a result of which a deficiency of this trace element in the body is created.

Secondary convulsions are more dangerous, since their appearance at night can be associated with a wide variety of diseases. Among them are diabetes, disorders in the central nervous system and thyroid gland, varicose veins, as well as some infectious diseases.

Very often they disturb pregnant women, whose weight increases, which leads to an increase in the load on the muscles of the legs. We also note that poisoning with drugs, lead, mercury can also be the cause.

Brings legs together at night, from what and what to do?

If you cramped your leg at night, then you need to take several measures to help eliminate the cramp. First you need to stand with the affected foot on something cold. In this case, you should try to stretch the sock as far forward as possible. Then you can try to sit down slightly, leaning mainly on the leg that was cramped. The spasm decreases with light massaging of the affected area.

It is also advised to strongly pinch the tense muscle or lightly prick with a sharp object, such as a needle or pin - the spasm should stop. To prevent recurrence, you should smear the sore spot with a warming ointment or rub it with alcohol.

Treating leg cramps

The main condition successful treatment is to determine the cause of seizures. To find out why he cramps at night, the doctor may prescribe a blood test for magnesium and calcium levels, neuromyography, and other examinations.

Treatment includes:

• impact on the cause (treatment of varicose veins, correction of flat feet, sedative therapy for stress);
• a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

If at home your leg has cramped, then you need to massage it, rub your muscles well, stand up, walk around. If muscle cramps bother you at night, it is better to sleep in warm socks or knee socks. To relieve pain, use any "burning" ointment, such as finalgon.

When the cause of cramps is a lack of vitamins, reconsider your diet. It is important to eat foods rich in magnesium, calcium, vitamins D, B6 and so on. Therefore, it is useful to feast on bran, dried apricots, raisins, fish, bananas, peanuts. Eat dairy products every day - cottage cheese, hard cheese, drink milk.

Exercises

To prevent legs from cramping at night, regardless of the causes of convulsive contractions of the lower extremities, before going to bed, it is useful to do simple exercises:

1. Press the heels to the floor, stand for 10-20 seconds.
2. Repeat the exercise, bringing the socks together, heels apart.
3. Repeat the exercise, but now the socks are apart, the heels are together.

Try after work Relieve built-up tension with these exercises. th:

1. Bend your toes slowly down, and then quickly straighten them.
2. Walk on the outer-inner sides of the feet.
3. Sit on a bench, raise your legs and "write" the numbers from 1 to 10.

And one more exercise:

1. Sitting, we bend our legs and pull for 8-12 seconds for the toes towards ourselves, stretching the calf muscle. We repeat 3-6 times with a break of 5-10 seconds.
2. Standing, we rise on toes, stretch with our hands up, breathe deeply. Then we lower our heels to the floor. We repeat 3-6 times with a break of 5-10 seconds.
3. Standing, tilting the torso and stretching our hands to the toes, without lifting the heels from the floor, stretching the calf muscles. We repeat 3-6 times with a break of 5-10 seconds.

During heavy physical work, when you have to stand on your feet for a long time, find an opportunity to rest for 5-10 minutes: sit down or take a lying position with your legs raised. At the same time, you can do the listed exercises.

Prevention

To prevent leg cramps from bothering you, you should adhere to prevention:

1. Wear only comfortable shoes with low heels - this will prevent not only cramps, but also varicose veins;
2. Avoid strenuous activities that involve prolonged standing or walking.
3. Minimize your intake of coffee and sugar, especially before bed.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Every day, in the evenings, contrast baths, as well as baths with sea salt and decoctions of medicinal herbs that have
6. anticonvulsant action (horsetail, peppermint, valerian).

It is also very important to eat right and get enough vitamins and minerals. A lack of potassium in the body can cause cramps in the calves and feet. Dehydration can also cause seizures. The body needs water and other fluids, especially those that provide electrolytes.

Vitamin D is also important for healthy feet and bones. Smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration.

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