I believe that many people have experienced night cramps. Come together, more or less Sleep cramps cause great suffering. until he was able to wake up from his reverie Have you ever wondered why when you lie down suddenly, you get cramps? Why? Can we treat or prevent it from happening again?
What is a muscle cramp?
A cramp is a muscle contraction that persists. suddenly looks like a solid lump cause a lot of pain and suffering Most often occurs with the calf muscles. posterior thigh muscles and the anterior thigh muscles If it’s at night, causing you to wake up in the middle of the night, it’s called nocturnal leg cramps, which often happen to middle-aged and elderly people. including pregnant women
Causes of night cramps
It’s not known exactly what causes nighttime cramps. But there is evidence that it may be caused by muscle fatigue. Nerve malfunction or poor blood flow to the muscles Rather than the level of mineral salts and other abnormalities, there are also risk factors that can trigger symptoms, including:
muscle loss of flexibility There is a tight contraction of muscles and ligaments, nerve dysfunction, arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis, drinking less water during the day, sitting cross-legged with excessive swaying of the ankles.
Standing or working on a hard surface for too long, overuse of the muscles, for example, exercising too much, lying, sitting, or standing in the same or inconvenient position for too long.
night cramps It may be related to the following conditions:
Pregnancy, thyroid disorders, nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, nerve disorders such as peripheral neuropathy or motor neuron disease. metabolic disorders such as diabetes
Cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease or peripheral vascular disease Structural problems such as flat feet or spinal stenosis Use of certain medications, such as statins ) or medications used to lower cholesterol levels, COPD medications, diuretics (diuretics), and blood pressure medications.
When cramps should see a doctor
When Night Cramps Are Frequent Until it starts to disturb sleep And did the initial treatment by myself and the symptoms did not improve Including swelling, redness or skin changes in the legs. or have muscle weakness You should see your doctor for an evaluation. differential diagnosis And continue to treat properly. In this regard, the doctor will ask about the history of symptoms and history of drug use Get a physical exam to look for possible causes. Blood may also be drawn when the doctor suspects other problems.
Your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever after nighttime cramps, such as an oral muscle relaxant. and painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen Magnesium may be considered for adults and pregnant women because of evidence of benefit in these groups. However, quinine is not recommended for treatment because its benefits are minimal compared to its side effects.
Treatment and relief of night cramps
Immediately stop using the cramping muscle. Try to stretch the muscle that is cramping at night slowly and gently, as stretching stimulates the inhibition of contraction. Eventually the cramps disappeared. If it’s your calves, sit with your legs straight and try to slowly lift your toes up. Hold for 10-15 seconds and release. Repeat 5-10 times to massage the cramping muscle. To help the muscles relax even more, a cold massage can be used to alleviate symptoms if the pain persists after the cramp has passed. Can take painkillers such as paracetamol and can massage medicine to help loosen the muscles.
Preventing and taking care of yourself to reduce the chances of getting cramps while sleeping
Try to stretch your muscles often, for example if you have a calf cramp. Stretch your calf muscles by facing the wall. Stand about 1 step away from the wall and step one leg back. with a lean forward by placing your feet flat on the floor Use both hands to push the wall, hold for 5-10 seconds, count as 1 time, do 10 times, count as 1 set. It is recommended to do 3 sets per day for good results if exercising or playing sports. Stretch your muscles before and after during the day. Should drink enough water about 8-10 glasses to avoid dehydration of the body. Especially when exercising, try to wiggle your ankle up and down often. for good blood flow And prevent calf muscle contractions Always take a warm bath or soak in warm water. Avoid drinking alcohol. or drink in moderation
Limit intake of caffeine-containing foods such as coffee, chocolate, etc. in pregnant women. Choose foods rich in calcium (yogurt, cheese, soy milk), potassium (cocoa, prunes, sunflower seeds, bananas, salmon, spinach) and magnesium (bananas, peas, spinach, corn, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds).
Because nighttime cramps do not have a clear cause. but at the same time The occurrence of this symptom can also indicate a sign of certain diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease as well. should not be calm But should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
2023-08-21 03:00:22
#cramps #night
