Do you often feel a painful contraction in your leg from time to time? Leg cramps affect your lifestyle and sleep routine. Medical conditions, side effects of some medicines, and substance use disorder (SUD) can result in leg cramps.
It can occur when you rest or sleep and stay for a few seconds to a few minutes. You can also use top quality Kratom capsules to get rid of them. They are mostly not harmful and go away with simple home remedies. Want to know more about leg cramps, their causes, and potential remedies? Read the full article.
What are leg cramps?
Leg cramps are involuntary and sudden aches in your foot, knee, calf, or thighs. You will feel an uncomfortable and unbearably painful tight knot in your muscles. The soreness might stay for several hours even after the knot is gone. It does not generally appear when your muscles are active. You can experience it when you are sleeping and wake you up. The pain might make it difficult to fall asleep again. It can affect anyone at any age, but most leg cramps are not harmful. So, you do not need to worry too much. But there are not many medicines you can take to stop them.
What are the causes of leg cramps?
The causes of leg cramps are usually unknown. Some secondary leg cramps happen due to a more complicated health condition. Nerve issues, dehydration, and extreme fatigue can also be possible reasons. Stretching out your feet while sleeping may trigger the pain. Dehydration and imbalance in electrolytes can trigger cramps in athletes, especially at the start of a season. Hormonal imbalance may also be a potential reason behind it.
Some other health conditions that might cause cramps are,
- Chronic kidney failure
- Alcohol use disorder
- Hemodialysis
- Cirrhosis
- Muscle fatigue
- Cancer treatment
- Parkinson’s disease
- Vascular disease
- Restless leg syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Motor neuron disease
- Thyroid disease
- Chronic infections
- Type 2 diabetes
Some medications like conjugated estrogens, raloxifene (Evista), and iron sucrose (Venofer) might cause leg cramps.
What remedies can you try to get rid of leg cramps?
If it is a primary cramp without any threat of underlying disease, it will go away by itself. You can try these home remedies to ease the discomfort.
#1 Stretch and exercise:
Stretching and exercise allow the muscles to stay active and remove the knots. It will ease the muscles and increase their stretchability. It will help flex the muscles and reduce the cramp when the cramp triggers. Here are some stretches you can try.
- Hamstring muscle stretch:
At first, you have to sit with your legs stretched out in front of you. Then try to touch your toes with the palm of your hands.
- Quadriceps muscle stretch:
First, stand straight and pull one leg up to your buttocks. After that, hold the leg with your hand for 30 seconds, then switch legs.
- Calf muscle stretch:
Start by standing straight at one hand distance from a wall. Now, touch the wall with the palms of your hands and stretch one leg outward. Switch legs after a minute and repeat at least 8-10 times.
#2 Use Kratom:
Kratom is a botanical native to Southeast Asia and a relative of the coffee family. It is widely popular in the wellness world for its therapeutic benefits. There are rumors that it is one of the most potent organic pain relievers. So, taking it can ease the pain and discomfort of the cramps.
You can take a Kratom gummy or capsule to relieve the soreness. The drug works with the help of opiate receptors and blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. It works like other opioids but has minimal side effects. If the pain keeps you up at night, taking the drug will help you get a night of quality sleep. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritations.
#3 Apply heat to the affected area:
Many personal coaches and gym trainers suggest applying heat to reduce muscle soreness. A hot shower is also beneficial. You can take a towel soaked in hot water and press it to your legs to use this classic remedy.
You can also use a heating pad. Heat flexes the muscles and lowers contractions between them. If you face any other health condition, such as spinal cord injury or diabetes, it may prevent you from feeling the heat. Adding some magnesium-rich Epsom salt to the water can be advantageous.
#4 Drink plenty of water:
Water is the secret to overall good health. Dehydration is a common cause of leg cramps. Drinking water will help you get enough fluid in your body, minimize the tension of the muscles, and keep the surface viscous. You can also drink sports drinks that have electrolytes to hydrate. In summer, you sweat and lose water and electrolytes from your body. Try to carry some water with you while traveling, especially during the summer. You can also eat a banana to restore the balance of electrolytes in your body. It also has potassium that strengthens the bones.
#5 Move and take multivitamins:
Sitting idly in the same place for hours increases the chances of leg cramps. So, if you have to sit at your workstation all day, try to take a short breather and walk around every 1-2 hours. You can also use a standing desk from time to time.
Vitamin deficiency can also cause muscle contractions. You can try checking your vitamins and minerals levels. Vitamin B, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and Vitamin E might reduce the risk. You can take nuts, seeds, and fruits to get enough vitamins and minerals or try taking a multivitamin.
These are some lifestyle changes you can do to ease your leg cramps. Using a massage roller on the muscles will help your muscles relax. Changing your shoes into a comfortable summer shoes might alleviate the ache too. Make sure you are getting a good night’s rest and eating healthy. If the issue persists for long or gets severe with time, consult a doctor as soon as possible. Frequent or severe cramps might indicate some underlying diseases.
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