What causes cramps in the legs at night and what treatment is possible?

The causes of leg cramps are manifold and can be caused by a number of concomitantdiseases or way of life of a particular person. This is a common problem that causes a lot of trouble and is accompanied by severe pain, and involuntary muscle contraction does not depend on the will of the person and it can not control this process. If the leg is constantly reduced in a dream - you should think about your health, since this symptom can indicate the development of a certain pathology.

Leg cramps: definition and types of

Seizures are a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction that causes severe pain. They can capture one or a whole group of muscles, occur periodically or permanently. Most often, the leg is reduced at night, in the calf muscle, while the person literally writhes in pain, and the muscle itself becomes "stone" and protrudes above the surface of the body. The duration of such an attack can be different and take 1-2 minutes or up to a quarter of an hour.

Specialists distinguish seizures tonic and clonic. With tonic convulsions, muscle spasm is observed, they harden most often in the calf and shin area, and the attack itself is accompanied by a severe pain syndrome. Clonic convulsions are characterized by involuntary twitching of muscles that resemble nervous tics. In some cases, a mixed type develops-tonic-clonic seizures.

The development of the painful syndrome of physicians is explained by the fact that with continuous muscle contractions that a person can not stop by effort of will, oxygen supply to the muscles stops, that is, they turn out to be under hypoxic conditions.

Simultaneously, with intensive reduction of muscle tissue, toxic products of vital activity are released, which irritate the nerve endings and cause painful sensations during an attack. What if the leg cramps not only at night, but also during the day? The answer to this question can be given only after the cause provoking a spasm of muscles is established.

Causes of leg cramps

As a rule, nocturnal cramps in the legs occur when the electrolyte and biochemical composition of the blood is disturbed, as well as with a lack of certain substances responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system. And the following reasons can cause these violations:

• Taking certain medications .For example, in the treatment of hypertension( high blood pressure), the patient should take diuretics that remove excess fluid and relieve swelling. But with the urine, the body loses vitally important trace elements - sodium, calcium, magnesium, which leads to dysfunction of the neuromuscular system. The intake of antacid agents and adsorbents also interferes with the normal assimilation of trace elements coming from food, and disrupts the normal contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
• Dehydration of the body , caused by a lack of fluid in the diet, increased sweating or consumption of alcoholic beverages, also contributes to the loss of calcium and magnesium and provokes the occurrence of seizures in the calf muscles. Therefore, it is important to maintain the body's water balance and drink at least 2 liters of liquid a day, especially during the hot season and with intensive training in spore.
• Unbalanced diet , rigid diets provoke shortage of important micro and macro elements, interfere with their assimilation and disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle tissues.
• The high physical activity of the , their misalignment, excessive tension during the gym, leads to malfunctioning of muscles, overstrain of a certain group of muscles and provokes the development of seizures. To avoid this, it is necessary to approach professionally to sports trainings and alternate the phases of tension and relaxation for each muscle group.
• Sharp temperature changes. Often the calf muscles of the legs reduce if on a hot summer day we dip into the cold waters of a lake or river. Such a sharp temperature drop causes reflex contractions( spasms) of muscles and lead to the occurrence of seizures, which can cause an accident on the water.
• Stress factor .During a nervous breakdown or a strong emotional stress, the nervous system undergoes a tremendous overload, which affects the condition of the muscles and causes impairment of impulse transmission. Chronic stressful situations contribute to the accumulation of cortisol( a stress hormone) in the body, which provokes an imbalance of microelements and triggers a mechanism that changes the functioning of the musculature.

In addition to the completely innocuous factors that cause an unpleasant symptom, leg cramps can occur due to various diseases.

Diseases that cause convulsions in the legs

Often cramps in the legs occur at night due to age and concomitant chronic diseases. In elderly people aged 50 years, the common cause of seizures is varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.

In addition, the cause of seizures in the calves of the legs at night are often metabolic and other endocrine diseases, pathological changes in the vessels or congenital anomalies. For example, foot defects in clubfoot and flat feet are accompanied by pain, heaviness when walking, legs quickly get tired, the posture worsens and blood circulation in the legs worsens, which causes a characteristic spasm of the muscles at rest.

1. Varicose disease is accompanied by pathological dilatation of the veins of the lower extremities, stagnation, pain and swelling. This is due to the weakening of the venous valves, which can no longer provide normal blood circulation, as a result of which blood accumulates in the veins of the lower limbs, stretches them and leads to the formation of varicose nodules. A dangerous complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis, when an inflamed venous vessel is clogged with a thrombus, which leads to a blood flow disorder and may result in tissue necrosis. The patient's condition in varicose veins is complicated by convulsions, which are a direct consequence of venous insufficiency.
2. With such a disease as hypoparathyroidism - the main manifestation of the pathology is a convulsive syndrome. To severe and painful muscle contractions leads to inadequate production of parathyroid hormone, accompanied by increased neuromuscular excitability. In this case, before the next attack usually there are harbingers - a feeling of numbness, crawling, tingling and coldness of the extremities. The attack is accompanied by strong spasms of muscles located symmetrically, that is, cramps cover both the muscles of the hands, then - the legs and are marked by severe soreness. Sometimes the muscles of internal organs and other parts of the body are involved in this process.

Among other pathologies that can cause convulsions in the limbs, you can call:

• injuries of the musculoskeletal system;
• radiculitis;
• hemorrhoidal disease;
• kidney disease;
• Raynaud's disease;
• spastic paralysis;
• intoxication of the body caused by infectious processes.

If there is a spasm in the calf muscles, toes or feet, it is necessary to consult a doctor-orthopedist. If it turns out that the cause of the disease is not the deformation of the foot or the wearing of uncomfortable shoes, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination to determine the cause of this condition. In the future, depending on the provoking factor, profile specialists - neurologist, endocrinologist, vertebrologist or phlebologist are connected to treatment.

Convulsions during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body experiences increased stress, the condition of a woman can be accompanied by exacerbation of chronic diseases associated with a decrease in immunity and fluctuations in the hormonal background. In this period, there are often processes that cause circulatory disorders, phosphorus-calcium metabolism. Symptoms of beriberi often occur. The main factors provoking convulsions in the legs in pregnant women are:

• lack of motor activity;
• varicose veins, venous insufficiency;
• anemia( decrease in hemoglobin level in the blood);
• avitaminosis and the associated deficiency of B vitamins, trace elements of calcium, magnesium, sodium.

Spasmolytic seizures during pregnancy will help to remove the intake of vitamin complexes recommended by the doctor, long walks in the fresh air, balanced diet and lack of stress.

First aid for convulsions

The following actions will help to eliminate the attack and relieve painful cramps:

• try to stretch the strained muscles, forcefully massage the limb;
• with massage are most effective stroking with muscle kneading and shaking the limb:
• if the cramp muscles or feet are cramped from sitting position, bend over, grab the thumbs of the toes and forcefully pull them on yourself;
• if the front part of the thigh is seized, it is necessary to stand upright, bend the leg in the knee, grasp the ankle with both hands and pull the foot up to the buttock;
• if it reduces the back of the thigh - from the "standing" position it is necessary to extend the leg forward, put it on the heel, and bend the healthy leg in the knee and lean on it with your hands. Slightly pulling the torso back, as if trying to remove the shoe, gently stretch the aching leg until the painful spasm does not release.

These methods help to relieve tension from the affected muscle, restore the damaged blood flow and eliminate the pain that accompanies convulsions. After the attack, lie on a flat surface, put a pillow under your feet and lift it at an angle of 60 °, relax as much as possible.

In case of emergency, it is advised to pinch the contracted muscle severely or prick it with non-sharp objects. For this purpose, you can use a pen or fork, but with such options as a knife, needle or pin you need to be very careful. After the spasm is released, the muscle needs to be rubbed with light stroking movements, massage and warm the feet, wearing warm pantyhose or leggings.

Treatment: drugs, folk remedies

Medication to eliminate spastic seizures is selected by the doctor, taking into account the cause that causes this syndrome. Most often, the treatment regimen includes magnesium preparations, vitamin complexes with the necessary trace elements and muscle relaxants( whose action is aimed at relaxing the muscles).

After consultation with a doctor, you can buy in a pharmacy and take vitamins B and E, which will help strengthen the vessels, eliminate muscular dystrophy and restore normal blood circulation. In addition, it is recommended to include in the diet products rich in these vitamins and beneficial microelements. For example, B vitamins are found in cereals, legumes, bread, brewer's yeast, dairy products, meat and fish. And vitamin E is rich in vegetables, fruits, animals and vegetable oils.

Folk remedies perfectly complement the basic treatment, help reduce the frequency of seizures and restore impaired blood circulation in the limbs. Let's list the most popular methods of treatment at home:

Compresses with lemon juice

The procedure is done every evening for two weeks. To achieve a positive effect, it is enough to squeeze out lemon juice, soak a gauze napkin and wrap calves or feet. Legs on top of a napkin are warmed with a towel or a rug and leave a compress for 15-20 minutes.

Horseradish and honey

This compress is put on overnight. It will not need a root for it, but horseradish leaves. They need to be spread, oiled with honey and sprinkled with salt on top. Then the sheet should be applied to the problem area, secured with a bandage, and warmed from above with warm knee socks or leg warmers.

Ointment with celandine

Helps restore blood circulation and prevent muscle spasms. In the season, you need to collect a celandine, twist it through a meat grinder, squeeze juice using a gauze napkin and mix it with Vaseline in a 1: 4 ratio. This compound should be rubbed limbs before going to bed for 2 x weeks.

Treatment with apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be taken or prepared using home-made ointments. To prepare the ointment, the egg yolk is mixed in 1 tsp.turpentine and 1 large spoon of apple cider vinegar.

This mixture should be rubbed into the eggs overnight for 10 days. At the same time, twice a day, take 1 large spoonful of vinegar, previously diluted in a glass of boiled water.

Broth of cauliflower

This remedy helps strengthen the vessels and eliminate the prerequisites for the development of seizures. Decoction to cook is very simple, you need 1 tbsp.l.dry vegetable raw material pour 200 ml of boiling water and 5 minutes to soak in a water bath. Ready to cool the broth, filter and drink this volume three times a day before eating.

Prevention measures

To prevent the onset of seizures, therapeutic gymnastics will help. Simple exercises can be done at any convenient time, giving them only a few minutes.

For example, from the "lying" position, you can perform rotational movements of the foot first to one side( 30 times), then to the other. Then, from the "standing" position, make the rolls from the toe to the heel and back( 30 times), climb to the toes and lower the heel( 30 times), and finish the exercise from the "lying" position, swinging the legs in different directions( 20 times).

Lying on a flat surface it is useful to do an exercise called "cycling", swinging cross-legged or traditional "birch".

Exercises should be done regularly, and after classes take a warm relaxing bath with a decoction of sage, basil, eucalyptus or the addition of sea salt and aromamasel. Such procedures normalize blood circulation in the vessels, relax the muscles and help prevent another attack.

To prevent legs cramping, pick up and wear only comfortable shoes on a low, steady heel. Correctly distribute the load, refuse to carry heavy bags of unnecessarily intense sports loads. These simple tips will help to maintain leg health and prevent painful spasms of the muscles.