How to treat nighttime leg cramps?

Do you wake up in the middle of the night with a fierce cramp in your leg? Are you sick and tired of being woken up by intense pain in your lower limbs? Fear not, for we have got your back! (Or technically, your legs.)

Nighttime leg cramps are extremely common and can happen to anyone at any point in their life. Whether it’s because of poor blood circulation, lack of hydration or electrolyte balance or just plain muscle fatigue, we’ve all had it happen to us at least once.

Let’s face it though: when you’re jolted awake by that sudden pang in your leg muscles, the first question that comes to mind is not why this happened but rather how do I get rid of this right now?!

Well, fret no more as we dive into some helpful tips and tricks on how to beat nighttime leg cramps!

A Quick Word on What Actually Causes Muscle Cramps

Before diving into our solutions guide book real quick let’s take a quick look at what exactly causes these painful nuisances.

The technical term for a muscle contraction is ‘tetany’, which occurs when our bodies mistakenly send out continuous electrical impulses causing prolonged contractions. As could be expected tetany strains muscles leading eventually fatigue them leading ultimately leads towards induced spasms known famously as “cramps”.

This may occur due dehydration after exercise fatigue so often people experience these types on most frequent basis during bedtime specially when they sleep poorly positioned.

Now that we know what’s going on inside our bodies while asleep; let’s figure out ways usefully eradicate uncomfortable tension:

Stay Hydrated

Rule number one for avoiding cramps anywhere anytime is staying hydrated regularly especially before bed time – add drinking water higher priority than scrolling through twitter/facebook feeds until midnight- trust me nowhere has even promised stress-free sleep deprivation through social media.

It’s recommended to drink 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day according to several medical researchers. This helps keep your muscles properly hydrated, making it less likely they will cramp during the night. And most importantly this also aids in ensuring organs are functioning correctly leading quicker filtration of toxins circulating within body!

Stretch Out Before You Snooze

Stretching is key in our daily health routine especially if we sit glued to computer screens for long hours car commutes or just spend disproportionate amounts for physical activity during daytime resulting incomplete fixed motion range leading increased probability of muscle-jumps left and right!

Next time you’re about to hit the sack aimlessly stretching out once could do wonders on any possible chances avoiding leg bugs kicking-in later on just don’t overstretch – else there’s risk inducing another injury

Here are some quick stretches that can help ease up before bedtime:

Exercise How-To
Toe touches Sit on a flat surface with legs extended forwards keeping spine erect now try connecting fingertips with toes gradually bending forward neck has somewhat immersed towards thighs but make sure position your head between knees always avoid downward completely among initial practice weeks when practicing
Calf raises Stand near wall whilst pulling one foot at the back bringing heels down slowly try stretching calf muscles wrists holding onto wall tightly repeat both legs alternatively few times

Finally remember finding comfortable sleeping position play vital role avoid inappropriate positions similar lying numerous pillows because as mentioned earlier irregular angles may set off tetany-related alerts bringing back spasms more ferociously.

Heat Therapy Can Be Amazing

Another incredibly easy (and relaxing) way to loosen up those tense leg muscles is by applying heat therapy.

Now some external agents such as “warm hot towel” sounds promising enough; infrared/dry saunas, heating pads moreover electronic blankets emit same soothing effect regularly so many people have experienced comfort.

Heat noticeably effect towards minimizing soreness caused from strenuous movements in or outside house likewise keeps blood circulation properly check. So, next time you feel night cramps bustling try heat remedies for more long-term results.

Stretch Some More

Additional stretches implemented regularly can significantly increase distribution of nutrients via bloodstream muscles leading stronger regeneration chances avoiding cramp-inducing reduced/absent motions.

So when wandering next week at the gymnasium aim practicing few impromptu exercises here and there helping whenever times are rough:

Exercise How-To
Chair stretch Sit down a flat cushioned place keeping back straight focus on pulling one knee up closer to rib cage with both hands interlocked circle knee clockwise1-2 minutes similarly counter-clockwise returning leg position repeat process combining it too
Standing wall push-ups Place your palms against the wall where shoulders initially align while standing. Gently lean forward bending elbows using arms as aid to pull away thrusting back off surface – this sitting may seem unusual might be tad bit difficult but as we say “practice makes perfect”

Not only do these additional stretches help alleviate discomfort but also contribute towards more strength and sense of overall body balance

Add More Electrolytes to Your Diet

Electrolytes maintain healthy environment throughout mobile monitoring (electrical impulses transmitting) inside body regulating fluid pH balanced conditions making sure muscle groups contract release normally avoiding potential trigger chemicals remaining blocked within same region longer than intended which ultimately causes fatigue!

Unbalanced electrolyte levels usually associated excessive sweat/body dehydration leading increased chances experiencing leg bugs waking you up abruptly!

To re-balance fix disengaged chemical concentrations inside body perfect supplements include magnesium calcium namely potassium those found commonly avocados among other fruits dark green leafs hard-boiled eggs and handful nuts just make sure don’t over consume such minerals.

A Trip To The Doctor?

If none of the above tips help you eliminate these bothersome cramps, it might be time for a visit to your doctor! They can prescribe muscle relaxants or medication that can subside some of being affected by leg cramp.

Keep in mind having frequent unpleasant intrusions does not necessarily mean requiring medical assistance making these hints practices major parts regular routine provide significant improvements towards sleeping schedule with minimized tremors.

Hopefully, this guide helps better understand how treat nighttime leg cramps moving forward avoiding sleep disturbances yet again. Now get back sleep back folks!

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