Surely sudden leg cramps in the calves took each of us by surprise. But do not worry if such an unpleasant phenomenon is temporary and one-time. However, not everyone is so lucky, because there are quite a few people who constantly suffer from this deviation, which not only brings great discomfort, but also interferes with a normal lifestyle. To understand how to get rid of such a phenomenon, you should find out why it even occurs.
Cramps in calves: causes requiring medical examination
As practice shows, the deviation presented can suddenly occur at any age in any person. However, most often adults or elderly people suffer from cramps in the calves. The most serious causes of these phenomena can be:
- varicose veins;
- any hidden injuries;
- neurological and other diseases;
- diabetes;
- any inflammatory processes;
- thyroid damage, etc.
If you constantly have leg cramps in the calves, and you suspect the development of any of the above diseases, then you should urgently undergo an examination, and then visit a neurologist, phlebologist or endocrinologist. As a rule, as a result of timely and effective treatment of the underlying disease, such symptoms pass very quickly.
Reasons that do not require specialist intervention
Leg cramps in calves are quite often provoked by banal physical overstrain, wearing uncomfortable shoes (especially if you have flat feet), hypothermia in the cold or in cold water while swimming, frequent stress and emotional overload, as well as intense strength exercises in the gym. If such factors do occur and affect the condition of your lower extremities, then you should temporarily or permanently exclude them from your life.
Most likely reason
Leg cramps in the calves, most often occurring at night, indicate that your body lacks the beneficial elements and vitamins that are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle cells. If this is true, then you should stock up on magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D. It is worth noting that today there are quite a few factors that contribute to the rapid loss of these substances. The most common causes of mineral deficiency in the body include:
- Medicines, the intake of which significantly complicates the absorption and absorption of magnesium (for example, Almagel, Eufillin, Maalox and Insulin).
- Period of pregnancy. Expectant mother should definitely use calcium and magnesium.
- Severe stresses also lead to a loss of calcium.
- Protein diets make it very difficult to absorb minerals.
- Increased sweating. As you know, through sweat, the body loses a lot of magnesium. That is why in the summer season, people often complain that they are worried about constant cramps in their calves. Treatment of this problem should be carried out with the help of regular use of products containing useful trace elements, as well as an additional intake of a complex of vitamins.