What causes leg cramps in the middle of the night?
Have you ever been rudely awakened by a sudden, sharp pain in your leg? Congratulations! You’ve experienced a leg cramp. These painful episodes are common, especially at night when we’re fast asleep and our muscles are relaxed. In this hilarious write-up, we’ll look into what causes these nasty cramps and how to prevent them from ruining your beauty sleep.
What Are Leg Cramps Anyway?
Lego ma legs! Leg cramps are brief but intense muscle contractions that can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. They usually affect the calf muscles, but they can also occur in other parts of the leg like the thighs or feet.
When it hits you out of nowhere during sleep-time bliss, one thing is for sure: it sucks! And if you’re unlucky enough to get them frequently, brace yourself for an uncomfortable swirl down memory lane every single time it occurs.
Why Do We Get Them?
The cause of nighttime leg cramps remains somewhat unclear – much like why rap music actually piques people’s interest nowadays (just kidding!). But here’s what some experts have concluded so far:
Dehydration
Lack of adequate fluids leads to lowered electrolyte levels hence damaging nerve functions leading up to muscle irregularities commonly referred as acute onset neuropathies^1
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids throughout the day (sorry alcoholics!), particularly water containing dilute elements like calcium which would aid nerves controlling contractions leaving Charley Horse on his way out!
Muscle Fatigue & Overuse
Do overly active hobbies fulfil your spare time needs? Intense use during intensive conditions might certainly exhaust overworked muscles which will ultimately quote shut downs such as spasms or ‘charley horses’^2.
Give those poor little warriors rest and start off slowly with relaxing pre-workout routines accompanied by dynamic stretches to allow ample circulation of fluids to the muscles.
Mineral Deficiency
If you’re a fan of fast foods, it’s time for another reality check. Consumption creates mineral deficiency such as magnesia and potassium due to lackluster nutrients.^3 A qualified dietitian or nutritionist should fix this through recommended nourished intake with legumes, fruits and vegetable accompany vitamins/supplements.
How Do You Treat Them?
When hit by sudden onset cramps that make Sylvester Stallone feel like a weakling in comparison, try these quick remedies:
- Stretching – gently stretch your affected muscle until the cramp subsides.
- Massage- contact massaging gets results though pain at first.
- Hot/Cold Compress – using heat pad relieves stiffness whereas applying ices your soreness.
- Medication- Taking over-the-counter medication designed to alleviate the symptoms but don’t forgo professional advice especially if you’re under any medical treatment or pills regimen.
The best way is preferable prevention rather than reactive remedies so keep reading!
Prevention Tips
Let’s say no more encounters! Avoid future disruptions with:
Exercises
Don’t let work confine movement during weekdays; incorporate e.g walking among many other effective ways into daily routine befitting someone truly health concious on keeping those limb warriors moving hence increasing contractions acumen minus fatigue^4.
Any form stretches before bedtime induces relaxation enhancing blood flow limiting cases of night time traumas courtesy of incapacitated soldiers
Limit Alcohol & Caffeine consumption
Although referred as tranquilizers when taken often late evenings worsen current negative effects brougt about by daytime workouts/training sesions on muscle activity^5 .
Cut down on caffeine which contributes to dehydration which we’ve already established can lead up potential nerve damage setting stage for charley horse takeover.
In case life without alcohol seems unbearable, limit its consumption just do not take it late in the evening
Stay Hydrated
“In awe at the size of that thirst, absolute unit.” ^6 But seriously, do drink plenty of fluids throughout the day since water retention complements electrolyte balancing out contractions improving muscle functions.
Eat potassium rich foods which brings about mineral balance plus drinking coconut water now and then narrows down chances of morning cramps glorified by Charlie Horse shows.
The Bottom Line
While leg cramps can be a real pain (literally), prevention is key,and with due diligence probably you’ll only experience them rarely. If despite your vast improvements in routine they still happen? Please consult a medical professional to verify proper diagnosis hence conclude best way forward. Eat well balanced!! Laugh alot 😉
Stay happy! And don’t let Charley Horse ruin your night’s sleep!
References:
1- Meral Topcu,”Acute onset neuropathy/neuropathies associated with hypokalemia: A case series” International Journal of Neuroscience Volume 126 Issue11 November 2016 Pages 994-999
2 – Rosemary White-Traut, “Overuse causes ‘charley horses,’ other painful spasms; Warm-up exercises recommended”,News-Medical.net , August 2005.
3 – Anjum Saba ,” Mineral Deficiency Effects Changed Domestic Habits :
A Study on fast food eaters and controls”, IJERT
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY VOLUME 8,
NUMBER 04 APRIL –>2020
4-Kathleen Doheny ,’ Easing Leg Cramps During Pregnancy’, https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/easing-leg-cramps-during-pregnancy ,
accessed May20/2020
5-Uruguay Round Agreement On Coffee ^_^ WTO Secretariat Coffee Table Book
6-Unknown author,”In awe at this,” https://www.reddit.com/r/AbsoluteUnits/comments/cedimx/in_awe_at_the_size_of_this_lad_absolute_unit/,
accessed May20/2020