Cramp - what is it? It is a contraction of the muscles that occurs involuntarily and is paroxysmal in nature. Seizures can appear suddenly and usually do not last long. After a certain period, a condition may recur. Muscle contractions are accompanied by sharp pain.
Pain is most often observed in the muscles of the calves, sometimes in the hips, abdomen and cover both one muscle or several. Cramp - what is it and why can it occur?
Physical stress
One of the factors that trigger a convulsive condition can be slowed blood flow in the muscles, which occurs due to physical exertion or overwork. In the process of tension, the accumulation of metabolic products causing spasms occurs.
A properly distributed load can alleviate the condition and reduce the intensity of convulsive contractions. That is, physical activity should be moderate and regular.
The influence of external factors
Why are cramps so common? They arise due to the influence of external factors, from a sudden unexpected sound to regular uncontrolled drinking. Convulsive contractions are also observed with fatigue of a certain muscle group. This problem is often the case with people who have to work while standing. Work associated with the repetition of uniform movements for a long time can also cause seizures.
In some cases, cramps muscles in the presence of nervous disorders.
When this disease appears in athletes, we can talk about an insufficient amount of salt, the loss of which occurs due to increased sweating during exercise.
Baby cramps
Cramp - what is it and can it disturb children? Yes, and this may indicate that the nerve fibers and brain are not well formed. The provocateurs can become an incorrect lifestyle of a pregnant woman, a difficult birth or a violation of the postpartum period. During pregnancy, toxicosis, medication, the presence of infectious diseases are negatively reflected in the baby’s health.
Seizures in the elderly
A disease such as a cramp is very unpleasant. What is a convulsive muscle contraction, do not need to tell older people, as they often have to deal with them due to a decrease in muscle mass. This is mainly a period of forty years. With time, with a sedentary lifestyle, muscle mass goes away faster. Aging causes tendon shortening, which leads to cramps.
The way out will be regular exercise and a balanced diet, which would contribute to muscle building.
Metabolic disease. When metabolism is slowed down, changes in blood vessels and blood viscosity occur, as well as muscle overwork, which entails the appearance of seizures.
About febrile seizures. Due to an increase in body temperature up to + 39 ° and + 40 ° , arising from infectious diseases, febrile convulsions are observed , caused by poisoning of the body by harmful bacteria.
On affective respiratory convulsions. The cause of such muscle contractions is stress. There is an increase in respiration, the level of carbon dioxide decreases, muscle contractions occur.
Clubfoot
It cramps legs and clubfoot. The heel, tilted into the inside of the foot, over time provokes a curvature of the ankle joint. After some time, the legs get tired, uncomfortable sensations arise. Over time, blood circulation in the limbs deteriorates and convulsions occur.
Cramps with disease
If a person is sick with polyneuritis, cramps in the leg muscles, goosebumps, accompanied by numbness of the limb, are usually observed at night.
Also, the appearance of unpleasant sensations is accompanied by varicose veins, in which the blood can stagnate. It is advisable to wear compression stockings and tights. A phlebologist will help you choose the right product.
A sedentary lifestyle and persistent constipation provoke dilated veins in the rectum. The situation arises amid a lack of a number of vitamins. Particular attention should be paid to magnesium, vitamins P, C and K.
Night cramps
Night cramps are most susceptible to people whose age has crossed the thirty-year milestone.
Causes of cramps at night:
- Physical activity, accompanied by overstrain of a certain muscle group.
- The appearance of that problem is primarily associated with stress and poor blood circulation.
- Sitting in one place is just as harmful as standing constantly. Especially if a person has the habit of crossing his legs, while creating pressure on the veins, disrupting blood flow.
- Specialists in this field claim that a dehydrated body often suffers from night cramps. A visit to the bath or sauna, intense training or summer heat can become provocateurs. Therefore, it is important to monitor the water balance and drink enough water.
- The presence in the body of a number of different diseases also provokes night cramps. This category includes Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus and others.
- Impaired thyroid function.
- While taking certain medications that lower blood pressure or are necessary for heart disease, night cramps may occur. Often, diuretic drugs are also their cause, since during treatment the body loses a number of trace elements necessary for muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses.
- During the course of pregnancy, nightly convulsive contractions often occur, caused by a load on the limbs and a lack of calcium.
If cramps occur at night regularly, you should consult a specialist. He will be able to adequately assess the situation and prescribe treatment.
Cramps in arms and legs
Sometimes a person may have muscle contractions in only his arms and legs. There are a number of reasons for this, which you need to familiarize yourself with and take measures to address them.
The most common cause of seizures in women is a high stiletto heel or tight shoe models. If you have any discomfort, immediately change your shoes. Optimal heel height - no more than 5 cm.
If a person suffers from flat feet, cramps will be a frequent companion. Therefore, you should contact an orthopedist who will prescribe special shoes and massage.
Sometimes cramps in the arms and legs can occur in a dream. You can simply change the position, because often an uncomfortable position is a provocateur.
The cause of seizures can be the abuse of coffee and smoking. Frequent use of this drink leaches valuable calcium from the body.
The influence of the profession on the appearance of seizures in the hands
Cramps - a fairly common disease. People of certain professions may be affected. Hand spasms are most susceptible to people whose professional activities are related to computers. Brushes are constantly on the same level for a long period of time.
To cope with cramps, you can do gymnastics, which consists in moving your fingers, as well as clenching and unclenching your fists.
Massage is also an integral part of the fight against involuntary muscle contractions. Often a cramp occurs in one limb. Because with your free hand you can massage the painful areas.
How to deal with cramps in the arms and legs
With sudden seizures, the affected area can be plucked and rubbed intensively. If pain occurs in the foot, it is important to pull it gently in the opposite direction.
If the problem occurs regularly, a warming ointment can be applied at night, which will positively affect the condition of the joints.
When cramps occur at night, you should do baths in cool water before bedtime, and then feasible gymnastics that enhances blood circulation.
After it was possible to cope with the pain, it is necessary to put a roller under the foot and lie down in this state for some time. Thus, blood flow will improve, which means that the threat of a repeated spasm is over.
Cramp prophylaxis
An improperly designed diet and junk food consumed every day also contribute to the occurrence of seizures. The content of essential trace elements in the blood decreases, over time, their deficiency (in particular magnesium) occurs. With a lack of magnesium, severe hair loss, forgetfulness, constant irritability and disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract can be observed.
It is important to include foods containing calcium, magnesium, and potassium daily in the menu. Suitable can be considered market cottage cheese, milk, herbs (fresh), bananas.
Oddly enough, but the lack of proper sleep can also lead to the appearance of convulsive muscle contractions. Normalization of sleep helps to restore health, cramps cease to bother.
Subcooling is also negatively displayed on the human condition and can provoke a convulsive state. Therefore, in the cold season, it is better to wear warm mittens.
When taking a bath, a small amount of sea salt should be added to it in advance, which helps to strengthen the skeletal system and improve the health of the body as a whole.