Nocturnal Leg Cramps Causes
Posted by on July 15, 2009
So what causes painful night leg cramps and what can be done about it?
Waking up suddenly in the night with severe muscle pain in your legs as they involuntarily contract so tightly that you can’t let go is a sure sign that you are suffering from nighttime leg cramps. Not many people know this, but these night leg spasms can happen in the thigh area and in the feet as well.
The exact reason why a leg cramp occurs is unknown. One theory purports that cramping occurs when a muscle that is already contracted is stimulated to contract even further.There are other suggestions too. With some research and a little trial and error, along with the support of your doctor or health advisor, most people will come across a remedy that works for them.
Electrolyte imbalance is one of the main reasons, it is claimed, that night leg cramps occur. Electrolytes are essential salts that conduct electrical activity in the body, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium and these need to be in good balance if muscles are to work well. If you take in more or if you take in less of the salts that your body needs the levels needed for healthy muscle functioning won’t be balanced with the result that painful cramps can start to appear. The phosphorous that is pumped into processed foods, if consumed regularly can lead to an imbalance of essential body salts and cause cramping so turning to a more natural or organic diet can reduce the likelihood of developing this debilitating condition. Bananas, for example, are known to be a good source of potassium.
Muscle fatigue is another likely candidate which can come about from sustained high intensity exercise. A diet rich in fluids and nutrients is required in order to provide the energy needed to sustain the constant demand to contract the leg muscles. Intense exercise uses up stores of calcium more quickly than normal exercise and so, to help prevent leg cramps that are associated with a lot of high intensity exercise, it might be a good idea to up the intake of calcium during these periods.
During pregnancy, as the body is working extra hard too, along with the muscles, in holding up the increased weight as the baby grows, leg muscles can become very tired and start to cramp in the night, preventing a good night’s sleep. A light supper before retiring for the night, using foods that contain potassium and calcium might be the cure that you need. A regular nightcap of bananas and milk could do wonders for those nighttime leg cramps plus a little routine of a few light leg stretches.
There are a number of potential reasons given for cramps and, as a list, causes of
cramping include, losing too much fluids too quickly, alcoholism leading to liver cirrhosis, some types of diabetes, PAD or peripheral artery disease, and kidney failure. Added to this are Parkinson’s disease, use of diuretics, some drugs such as those used for blood pressure, an underactive thyroid,and diarrhea, and as a side effect of surgery such as a gastric bypass.
Prevention of night leg cramps, then, involves a whole array of possible considerations and in the light of this, along with some possible immediate changes in diet, agood place to start for anyone wanting to obtain relief from regular and severe night leg cramps would be to consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
