Natural Cures For Leg Cramps While Sleeping

By Author: Maria Wilson
Total Articles: 9
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A cramp can be described as a sudden and an uncontrollable contraction that takes place in the muscle. These cramps can affect the muscles in any part of the body, which is why people can suffer from arm cramps, abdominal cramps and most commonly cramps in the legs. Several people around the world suffer from a problem that they commonly refer to, as night leg cramps. Like the name suggests, this condition is marked by involuntary contractions that take place in the muscles of the legs, mainly during the course of the night, or when a person is resting. In most instances, this condition affects the muscles that are present in the calf. However, it is not uncommon for the muscles in the thighs and the feet to be affected by this condition too. Although the problem of night leg cramps can affect just about anybody, it is a lot more common in those who are elderly. Pregnant women are also known to suffer from this affliction quite often. The severity of the cramps may vary from one person to the other; for some the cramps may be nothing more than a minor annoyance, whereas for others it may be bad enough to wake them up from deep ...
... sleep. Most people tend to confuse this condition with restless leg syndrome, even though both of them are totally different ailments, even though some of the symptoms may be common.

Causes of cramps in the legs

The exact factors that lead to cramps in the legs mainly during the night are still not clear. Moreover, this problem is hardly every serious one and most health care providers claim that it is harmless. In some rare situations cramps in the legs could be a symptom of a serious underlying disorder, some of which could include diabetes or even peripheral artery disease. Given below are some of the other conditions and problems that could cause a person to experience the problem of cramps in the legs, during the night time:

• Structural disorders, which may include flat feet and spinal stenosis
• Metabolic disorders such as type-1 diabetes or type-2 diabetes, hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid, alcoholism, chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis and Addison’s disease
• Use of certain medication, such as oral contraceptives, blood pressure medicines and diuretics
• Other conditions, which could include pregnancy, muscle fatigue, dehydration, Parkinson’s Diseases and diarrhea
• Electrolyte imbalances

There are many people who could suffer from cramps in the legs mainly because they are heavy. A person does not need to be obese; being just a bit overweight can also cause the person to suffer from the problem of chronic cramps in the legs. It is also very common for a person to experience cramps in different parts of the body, including the legs, after engaging in heavy and strenuous exercises.

There are a few ways in which the problem of cramps in the legs can be reduced or at least controlled to some extent. Most people are advised to adopt certain self-care measures to prevent the cramps, some of which include:

• Staying hydrated: The exact factors that correlate the lack of water in the body to muscle cramps are still not clear. However, it has been seen that dehydration can lead to leg cramps. Therefore, to avoid this affliction, it is important to drink a lot of water throughout the day. In order to reduce the chances of suffering from cramps in the legs during the night, it is best to drink at least 2 or 3 glasses of water, just before going to bed. People who exercise regularly should also drink a lot of water before and after working out
• Stretching: The fibers in the muscles can be relaxed through stretching activities. In fact a good stretching routine before and after working out can help prevent cramps in the legs to a great extent. People who are used to working out before going to bed should not exercise vigorously just before going to sleep
• Gradual training: Any sudden increase in the levels of activity could lead to cramps in the body. Hence, it is important to ensure that all people build up their exercise program gradually.

Hot showers, warm baths and massages are also known to reduce leg cramps in several instances. However, it is best to consult a doctor in case the cramps are very severe.

Maria Wilson is an expert on home remedies and natural cures. She has shed light on leg cramps as well as leg cramps while sleeping. She has also suggested some Home remedies for treating leg cramps.