Cramps are very common, they occur involuntarily when there is a contraction in the muscles and they are very painful, one of the places where they frequently appear is in the calf, there are several reasons why people can experience this contraction of the muscles.
After subjecting a muscle to excessive demand, dehydration, pregnancy, low blood glucose, calcium or potassium values, alcohol consumption, neuromuscular disorders and some medications can be the causes of cramps that appear during sleep or when getting out of bed in the mornings.
According to Rozan Razzouk, MD, an MD with Baptist Health Primary Care, muscle cramps can be a symptom of another health problem such as a thyroid, a vascular condition, or a dietary deficiency. There are various ways that experts recommend to treat cramps such as walking a little while the discomfort disappears, massaging the muscle, stretching the affected leg, applying an ice pack and even a good hot bath to relax the muscles that have been affected. contracted.
Something that you can also do is use any of the following home remedies, remember that before using them you should consult your doctor: thus, you can apply an arnica ointment that can be just as effective as if you took an Ibuprofen, another ointment that you can apply is wormwood.
Some actions you can take to prevent cramps are to frequently change your position if you spend a lot of time sitting or lying in bed; In addition to drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, consistency in these steps can make a difference.
You can also do an exercise routine and stretch your legs before going to sleep; To get more potassium in your diet, you can add this element by eating foods such as bananas, apricots, raw avocado, cantaloupe, raisins, plain yogurt, and spinach.
If the discomfort persists and you notice that the cramps are very frequent, it is time to go to the doctor as soon as possible, remember that prevention and detection at the same time can help you recover your health sooner, do not forget to follow the recommendations that your doctor gives you.