Many people suffer with severe leg cramps at sometime or the other in their entire life span. However in order to get severe leg cramps treatment it is important to first know the severe leg cramp causes. One of the main severe leg cramp causes is not drinking sufficient water. Water is required for transporting minerals and vitamins and other essential substances throughout the system and when the body gets dehydrated there are severe cramps in various muscles of the body. Often athletes and sports people get severe cramps on the play field because of dehydration. Even people who are not into sports can have such cramps if they are dehydrated. It is best to avoid alcohol and caffeine which cause dehydration and are the cause of cramps.
What causes leg cramps:
Severe leg cramps while sleeping and severe leg cramps after exercise are often a result of the same problem in case you are wondering what causes leg cramps. The common cause is most often insufficient consumption of fluids. Dehydration is one of the most important causes for an individual to experience muscles cramps. Other causes of cramps are a lack of magnesium, potassium and calcium in the body. To ensure that you are getting a proper supply of these minerals in your diet include citrus fruits, cantaloupe, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes and bananas in it. It is also necessary that you drink the required eight glasses of water every day to avoid cramps.
Severe injuries to the muscles can cause muscle cramps subsequently or even vigorous exercise of the limb could bring this on. Gentle physiotherapy can bring relief and even stop these cramps. Tetany which is another cause of cramps can cause spasms all over the body. The name is derived from tetanus which affects the nerves and causes severe cramps. Such cramps cause spasms in the muscles of the hands and the wrists and numbness also.
While sleeping:
Severe leg cramps at night or leg cramps while sleeping often happen in people who have a problem with the circulation. The cramps usually affect the thighs, feet and calves and are painful enough to disturb the person's sleep. Most often pregnant women and elderly people suffer with nocturnal cramps because of circulatory problems in the lower limbs. Though it is most often the older people who suffer with this problem, nocturnal cramps could even affect the young at times.
Remedies:
One could use very simple remedies for severe leg cramps during periods. To relieve cramps when one has a menstrual period the person would require a gentle massage in the area of the cramps so as to relieve the tension which is just beneath the skin. The massage should be given in circulatory movements. Hold the toes and stretch the muscles of the calf by pulling them upwards towards the knees then straighten the leg again. Incase the pain does not subside a hot compress or warm bath would help. Cramps often affect the legs at night when the temperature is colder and therefore warming the area helps.
Relief:
Leg cramp relief, especially leg cramp relief in pregnancy is achieved with a diet which is rich in calcium. Most often milk and other dairy products do not help much in such conditions and it is essential to consume calcium supplements which do not contain phosphorous. Potassium is a mineral which also gets depleted easily and is essential for the muscles. It helps to regulate the body fluids which are essential for muscles. There may be cases when a person is subjected to recurrent leg cramps; in such cases it would be best to consult your doctor and get a diagnosis done.
answered by M W