Leg cramps require the help of qualified, profiled specialists, however, as practice shows, most people do not go to the hospital, but prefer to cope with this problem on their own. As a result of this, they develop various side effects and diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to visit a doctor even if the symptoms have completely disappeared and, at first glance, it seems that everything is in order. But in order to alleviate the pain syndrome, which, as a rule, pierces the entire lower limb, you need to have at least some idea of what kind of help is provided for leg cramps at home. This and much more will be discussed later in this article.
general information
Many people have great doubt about the fact that a person needs first aid for leg cramps. However, many medical staff continually reiterate its necessity. The thing is that with a spasm, the muscle contracts, becoming like a wooden one, which is accompanied by simply unbearable pain. This is due to the fact that blood circulation stops during cramps in the lower extremities, which means that soft tissues stop receiving oxygen and other nutrients. If convulsions appear on an ongoing basis, and do nothing at the same time, then over time a person may develop various pathologies, among which the most dangerous is muscle ischemia. It requires complex therapy, which takes place in hospital under the constant supervision of a doctor.
Especially first aid for leg muscle cramps is required if they have arisen in a person while swimming in cold water. First of all, you need to get the victim out of the reservoir so that he does not choke, because the spasm severely fetters a person, almost completely depriving him of mobility.
Main reasons
Let's dwell on them in more detail. Many people wonder why their legs cramp. The causes and help with muscle spasm can be very different.
The main among them are the following:
- Deficiency in the body of potassium and magnesium.
- Long-term use of any medications to which the person has contraindications.
- Increased sweating and disturbed processes of thermoregulation of the body.
- Constant stress and psychological discomfort.
- Vitamin D deficiency, which is especially acute in the winter.
- Long sitting in an uncomfortable position.
- Dehydration.
- Various psychological pathologies.
- Flat feet.
- Cerebral hemorrhage;
- Severe overheating or hypothermia.
- Chronic varicose veins.
- Diabetes.
- Renal failure.
It is worth noting that at an increased risk group are people whose activities are associated with great physical exertion on the lower limbs, as well as representatives of old age with impaired normal blood circulation of the legs.
Are muscle cramps dangerous?
This issue should be given special importance. During convulsions, there is a violation of the normal blood circulation of the muscles of the lower extremities, as a result of which lactic acid begins to drain worse.
As a result, a vicious circle is formed:
- A large number of metabolic products accumulate in the fibers.
- A convulsion occurs, as a result of which a new dose of lactic acid is released.
If cramping occurs on an ongoing basis, then they lead to microscopic injuries and muscle hemorrhage. This poses a huge health hazard, since it can cause the development of many pathologies and diseases.
First actions for convulsions of the lower extremities
Emergency care for leg cramps is a must. Doctors with a spasm of the muscles of the lower extremities introduce special medications to the patient, however, it is impossible to do this at home. Moreover, this can be dangerous, since all drugs have certain characteristics that must be taken into account, especially if a person has any chronic diseases.
If you or your loved ones have a spasm of the legs, then, first of all, you need to call an emergency carriage.
In addition, the following algorithm of actions should be followed before the arrival of a doctor:
- Give the victim a comfortable sitting or lying position in order to relieve stress on the leg affected by convulsion.
- Try to relax your muscle. To do this, click on the foot in the area of the fingers, and also bend it towards the leg. Initially, the pain syndrome may intensify, but then relief will come.
- Use a pin or a needle to prick a muscle in the place where the convulsion is directly manifested.
- If the injection did not bring any results, then you can try to do a relaxing massage.
In addition to all of the above, it is very important to provide the patient with emotional peace, because at the time of a spasm he experiences a strong moral shock.
Medical care for convulsions
So what is she like? The actions that should be taken with a spasm have been described above, however, you should understand that first aid for leg cramps will not completely solve the problem. As mentioned earlier, involuntary muscle contraction requires professional medical attention. Before the arrival of the doctor, you can give tranquilizers to the person, which will help relieve pain and make the person feel better.
The most common and effective remedies are as follows:
- Levodopa;
- "Diphenyltropin";
- "Selegiline";
- "Trihexyphenidyl";
- Amantadine.
But, one should be extremely careful here, since each of the drugs has a strong influence on the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, as a result of which there can be various consequences. Therefore, providing assistance with cramps in the legs of children, it is extremely undesirable to use any medications without first consulting a doctor.
Antiparkinsonian drugs
Many people are confronted with a cramp in their leg. What to do? First aid in the absence of serious pathologies and chronic ailments with the use of potent drugs is in very rare situations.
In most cases, doctors prescribe drugs that provoke a relaxing effect on the muscles.
These include the following:
- Isoprotane
- Midokalm;
- "Flexen";
- Baclofen
- Meprotan;
- "Phenaglycodol."
These drugs do not have a strong effect on the central nervous system, therefore they are relatively safe and do not entail any consequences.
However, taking them into account, consider that they may be accompanied by the following side effects:
- sleep disorder;
- dizziness;
- severe nausea;
- gagging;
- migraine;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
- pathology of the muscles of the semantic type.
Thus, after taking any medications listed above, it is not recommended to drive a car.
Popular ways to deal with involuntary muscle contraction
So, your leg cramped, what should I do? First aid can be not only medical, but also using folk methods.
With spasm of the lower extremities, the following remedies can help:
- Honey. This natural product has many useful properties and is in the home of almost every person.
- Lotions made on the basis of medicinal plants, for example, marigolds, clover, clover or rhubarb. To prepare a healing broth, it is necessary to fill in one tablespoon of grass with 200 milliliters of boiling water for 15 minutes, after which a piece of gauze or bandage is dipped in it and applied to the affected area of the leg.
- Alcohol tincture of the godson. For it, you need to fill in 25 grams of raw materials with 100 grams of vodka and insist for seven days. After this, the lower limbs are rubbed before bedtime.
The last remedy is especially good if you have leg cramps at night. First aid in this case will help relieve muscle tension and get rid of severe pain, as a result of which the rest will be more comfortable.
Convulsions in pregnant women
Especially often with spasms are women bearing a child in their tummy. This is due to the fact that they have increased body weight. As a result, a very large load is created on the legs. In this case, the use of any medications, especially those that have a strong effect on the central nervous system, is categorically contraindicated, since they can adversely affect the development of the fetus.
Experts recommend that they take healing baths brewed on plants such as chamomile, calendula and valerian. These herbs have a relaxing effect on the muscles, so the symptoms of convulsions will become less pronounced. In addition, it is very important to balance and diversify your daily diet, including foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Preventive actions
You already know what to do with leg cramps. First aid was described in detail in this article, however, it is best to prevent convulsions.
The likelihood of its manifestation can help minimize the following preventive measures:
- Classes in any sport or morning exercise.
- Good good nutrition.
- Quality rest and healthy sleep.
- Rejection of bad habits.
- Reception of medical baths.
According to profiled experts, these methods will help to relax the muscles and significantly reduce the likelihood of developing problems with them.
Physiotherapy
What are they and how to perform them correctly? The main preventive measure is a set of special physical exercises that should be performed daily in the morning and evening.
The warm-up includes the following:
- Cross your legs for 10 seconds and transfer all your body weight to them, then take a short break. Perform the procedure in 5 approaches.
- Sit on a chair, raise your foot about 10 centimeters and rotate your foot in both directions.
- Bend your fingers and straighten them sharply.
These exercises do not require much time, so if you want to forget about spasms forever, then be sure to do them.
What tests are prescribed for convulsions?
If muscle cramps make themselves felt on an ongoing basis, then first aid for leg cramps will not be effective, since they can indicate the presence of serious diseases that require complex treatment. However, in order to find the right treatment program, doctors need to first establish the cause of the problem.
For this, the following laboratory tests are prescribed:
- General and biochemical analysis of urine and blood.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Electrocardiography
- Ultrasonography.
Based on the results, the doctor determines the clinical picture of the patient, and then selects the most suitable medications.
Dependence of convulsions on age
What you need to know about this? Have detailed information about what first aid for leg cramps below the knee can be provided. Especially older people should worry about this, since with age this problem only worsens.
This is due to many factors, the main among which are the following:
- Natural aging of the calf muscles.
- Great physical load on the lower limbs.
- The venous outflow of blood caused by vascular slagging or various diseases is impaired.
- Taking various medications, which is typical for representatives of an older generation.
In addition, convulsions can be caused by previous injuries, which can become chronic and worsen with aging.
Conclusion
This article examined in detail the first aid for leg cramps. However, this problem is often associated with various diseases of the vascular system, so if it continues to manifest itself, you should definitely go to the hospital to undergo a full examination and, if necessary, start treatment.