Why cramp? What causes cramps? Can cramps be treated? Cramping, which enters various parts of the middle row body and happens to many of us, may actually be the harbinger of various health issues or diseases. In such a case, if it always recurs, it is beneficial to consult your doctor as soon as possible. Dr. Dilara Nuzumlalı’ İnsel answered the questions that you often ask about cramping.
About the cramps that come to your feet while you are yawning, especially when you don’t get out of bed at morning, or the untimely contractions of your toes while swimming on the shore, Dr. Dilara Nuzumlalı gave information about the causes and treatment of cramps.
Most of us are familiar with cramps, which often wake us up in the morning with severe pain. These cramps are not based on more than one important problem, they are caused by daily fatigue or similar reasons. Behind some cramps, there may be reasons based on various diseases. Therefore, if it recurs or lasts for a long time, it is useful to consult your doctor. In such cases, treatment of the underlying disease helps in getting rid of cramps. Our neurologist, Dr. I asked Dilara Nuzumlalı to give information about the causes and treatment of cramps. Dr. What Dilara told you about.
Quite common
Cramps are conditions we know little about, although they are very common. 95 percent of people have had a cramp at least once in their life. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles within a muscle. During the cramp, a hardness occurs in the muscle that can be seen or felt by touching. It is very painful, causes interruption of the activity being done, and the muscle held during the cramp cannot be used. It takes from a few seconds to 15 minutes, rarely longer.
May occur at rest or during activity. Resting cramps are more common and are often referred to as ‘night cramps’ as they occur at night, during sleep. Usually calf and foot muscles are involved. It is very painful and wakes you up from sleep. It can recur several times a night. We don’t know the real reason, but these cramps are triggered by doing some movements that cause the muscle to shorten while lying down. Some patients state that cold and heavy daily activity triggers cramps.
The cause is now unknown
The exact cause of the cramps cannot be found, the following are the first ones that come to mind.
Heavy workouts that cause a lot of fluid and electrolyte loss through sweating or breathing can sometimes cause cramps. The use of diuretic drugs in a similar form can cause cramping if the lost fluid and electrolytes are not replaced by food. Low calcium and magnesium cause cramps as they increase the excitability of the border ends and muscle fibers. The use of diuretics, excessive vomiting and diarrhea, hemodialysis, malnutrition reduce serum levels of electrolytes. Vitamin D deficiency is considered a cause of cramps as it impairs calcium absorption. Although the mechanism is unknown, vitamin B1, B5 and B6 deficiency also causes cramps. Diabetes, circulation disorder and alcohol use can also be counted among the causes.
Relieves more than once with muscle tension
With muscle stretching, many of the cramps go away. In a calf cramp, taking a half-step back with the cramped leg as you stand up and push the wall with both hands provides relief. At this time, the heels should be in contact with the ground.
Another relaxation gesture is the actual pulling of the foot from the ankle to the body while the leg is stretched out in bed.
Light massage and warm application to the muscle helps to relax. If the factor causing cramp is fluid and electrolyte loss, they should be replaced first. There is no need for drug therapy, because the muscle cramps until the drug is absorbed.
How is cramping?
To prevent cramping, warm-up exercises and muscle stretching exercises are recommended before physical activity known to cause cramps. It is necessary to take enough fluids before, during and after training, and if the training lasts longer than an hour, electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium) that are thought to be lost through sweat should be replaced. Particularly in hot weather, physical activity that causes fatigue should be avoided. Night cramps, if there is no underlying cause, can be prevented by regular stretching exercises before going to bed. Keeping the legs warm during sleep may be sufficient to prevent cramps, especially since calf cramps are triggered by the cold. Putting a pillow under the knees during sleep is also a useful precaution more than once.
