Sometimes in the morning you wake up to an excruciating pain. Even though after a while the pain eventually subsides, it remains extreme and unbearable till the end. While such spasms are common for many people, they however must not be neglected. Another way of putting this is that leg cramps must be dealt with as soon as possible. Leg cramps, just like disasters, are completely unpredictable and can strike anytime. But they are normally witnessed while sleeping at night or waking up at dawn.
The severity of leg cramps is derived from the fact that it is an event of muscle tightening or muscle contraction. Also the period for which you may experience a leg cramp varies from seconds to minutes.
Leg cramps mostly have no specific underlying cause as such. However, they can be ascertained by a keen observation of your daily routine. Some general causes that may end up in a leg cramp are given below:
Causes for Leg Cramps
- One of the main reasons for inviting leg cramps in your body is excessive amount of workout or fitness training. Since, muscles hardly get a chance to relax, they often contract randomly causing leg cramps.
- Pregnant women are prone to leg cramps because they lack essential minerals like calcium and magnesium vital for relaxation and contraction of muscles.
- Deficiency of Potassium in your blood can end up causing severe cramps in your calves.
- Many medical conditions associated with kidney, thyroid or blood flow are said to induce leg cramps.
- Generally leg cramps are evident in people who live in cold environments because cold stills the leg muscles. Any sudden moment may tense those still muscles causing painful leg cramps.
- Dehydration is another phenomenon that might lead to leg cramps.
- Medicines such as antipsychotics, birth control pills, statins and steroids are believed to be a major cause of leg cramps. Few home remedies to make you task easier
Using some popular home remedies to get rid of leg cramps one can easily tackle these leg cramps.
Simple Remedies on How to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
1. Stretching
Of all the home remedies to get rid of leg cramps the easiest is stretching. A well planned stretching routine must be followed prior to exercising and workout. Stretching often warms muscles minimizing the risks of leg cramps. Also stretching adapts your muscle to the wear and tear caused by your daily exercise regime.
2. Massaging
Another trick to deal with leg cramps at night is a good massage. Massaging relaxes and eases the aggravated muscles restricting them to contract less. Also it is advised to massage your calves and thighs regularly by applying natural oil to yield better results.
3. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is an excellent herbal remedy for treating leg cramps. It acts as a muscle relaxant increasing the levels of glycine, an amino acid. Glycine is said to relieve muscle spasms. Hence, drinking chamomile tea daily works as one the most excellent herbal remedies leg cramps can be treated from.
4. Primrose Oil
Primrose oil is used for treating a variety of acne and heart diseases. It helps to release the blockage of blood vessels which is a major cause for leg cramps and muscles spasms. Ideally a solution of 3g of primrose oil and water must be ingested before sleeping to limit leg cramps often encountered in sleep.
5. Lavender Oil
Applying lavender oil around the areas of leg that experience severe cramps especially calves is a good natural remedy to prevent leg cramps. Lavender oil relaxes the leg muscles and releases the tension building inside. For better results lavender oil must be coupled with massage.
6. Cow Milk
Milk is believed to be the ultimate solution to any woe. This is because it contains an enriching blend of proteins, vitamins, sugar, minerals and other essential nutrients crucial for body growth and development. Cow’s milk is said to be a wealthy source of potassium, calcium, magnesium and other minerals. Hence, drinking a cow’s milk daily is deemed as one of the best natural cures leg cramps can be prevented with.
7. Mustard
Athletes prefer Mustard as a natural and quick alternative to deal with leg cramps because it contains acetic acid that simulates muscles. Hence, consuming a spoon of mustard is more than enough to treat leg cramps naturally.
8. Pickle Juice
Similar to mustard pickle juice also is rich in acetic acid and thereby is a grandma formula for athletes to get rid of leg cramps. It is also believed to tackle with hamstrings.
9. Pinching Your Lip
Thought absurd as it may sound pinching your lip can put a sudden stop to your leg cramps. Normally following this method for 20-30 second relieves you of leg cramp.
10. Banana
A banana is well-known for its high fiber content. Eating a banana is said to be one of the best home remedies to get rid of leg cramps associated with deficient amounts of potassium and magnesium.
11. Salt
Licking a pinch of salt is considered to be an ideal home remedy to get rid of leg cramps. Salt replenishes the diminished electrolytes in your body that are essential for muscle relaxation.
12. Korean Cabbage
Korean fermented cabbage also called as kimchi is a vital ingredient that helps to eradicate cramps so that you can sleep without having to go through leg cramps in night.
13. Red Raspberry Tea
Drinking red raspberry tea every day in the morning and in the evening eliminates the chances of leg cramps. This is because raspberry tea as a concoction contains vital nutrients that enhance relief in joints and muscles.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
A concoction of apple cider vinegar, honey and warm water daily is one of the best home remedies to get rid of leg cramps as it can treat leg cramps frequently caused by low levels of potassium in your body. Apple cider vinegar is a vital source of potassium and hence, can treat leg cramps effectively.
15. Fruit Juices
Fruit juices work similar to apple cider vinegar for they contain very rich amounts of essential minerals needed to treat leg cramps especially the one caused due to mineral deficiencies.
16. Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s Yeast is responsible for improve blood circulation in your legs and feet. It also supplies essential B Vitamins and therefore, is a popular ingredient for treating legs and foot cramps.
17. Soap Bar
Keeping a soap bar under that part of leg which often gets cramped is an efficient method to deal with leg cramps. The soap provides relief and relaxation in that particular area lowering the risk for leg cramps.
18. Hot Water
Water heated to a certain temperature is an excellent agent for relaxing stiff muscles. Using hot water bags or hot water bottle around areas that often cramp up is an important technique to deal with leg cramps. Also wrapping a towel or cloth soaked in warm water around the leg is a preferable method for leg cramps treatment.
Precautions to prevent leg cramps:
- Drink water and intake fluids in huge amounts
- Don’t overstress or overburden yourself with rigorous exercise routines.
- Bed sheets and mattresses must be loose and soft not hard.
- Eat lots of green vegetables and fruits to avoid mineral deficiency.
- Improve your sleeping position.
- Dairy products must be consumed daily in appropriate amounts.
- Stretch and walk on a regular basis.
Leg cramps despite of being hard core and grueling tools of pain can be easily dealt with if proper measures and precautions care ensued. Also if they are chronic in nature then professionals must be consulted with regarding the same.