Nocturnal cramps why do they come
Nocturnal cramps, why do they come?
THE nocturnal cramps are involuntary, sudden and painful muscle contractions that occur in the calf, thigh and sometimes the sole of the foot.
The muscles appear contracted and stiff to the touch for a few seconds up to 10 minutes while the pain can persist even for the next 24 hours. Manifesting themselves at night they also involve a correct sleep and therefore they are doubly annoying.
Technically, the muscle, after prolonged efforts, no longer receives the right supply of oxygen and mineral salts it needs to allow the extension of the muscle fibers and remains contracted causing acute and localized pain in the muscle area.
The elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and sportsmen suffer most from it.
It is a very common disorder linked to:
- muscle stress or fatigue
- sudden changes in temperature
- excessive sweating and/or dehydration especially in summer
- deficiency or imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D
- treatment with certain drugs
- pregnancy
- presence of circulatory problems (peripheral atherosclerosis, venous thrombosis, varicose veins, phlebitis)
- restless legs syndrome
- alcoholism
- Other circumstances or pathologies (anemia, celiac disease, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, parkinson, pancreatitis, varicose veins and so on).
To pass muscle contracture, you have to spread the muscle manually and very slowly, maintain the maximum extension position for 10-15 seconds and then always release it slowly.
Or you can take a hot bath with the addition of kitchen salt that helps to relax the muscles, absorb lactic acid and remove the pain.
To prevent muscle cramps there are some things that can be done:
