It is a fact that leg cramps can cause excruciating pain when
they suddenly strike person mostly while exercising. Leg cramps can also
occur at night, causing a disruption in sleep. Medical research has
still not revealed why certain people alone are susceptible to leg
cramps. But the general findings are that those suffering from diabetes
and blood circulatory disorders are more prone to develop leg cramps. It
is also believed that persons leading sedate lives free from all
physical activities as well as those who over-indulge in rigorous
physical work-outs like jogging can fall an easy prey to cramps.
If
you are not already aware, please know that cramps suddenly occur when
certain muscles contract suddenly. The saving grace is most leg cramps
do not last beyond a minute or two. Quite often, some minor changes in
your water consumption, loss of excess weight loss or readjustments of
daily work-outs can reduce the frequency of leg cramp occurrences.
Some suggestions to avoid developing leg cramps are:
1. Avoid wearing footwear with high heels
2. Make sure you do not put on excess weight and if you are already obese, take some quick steps to shed the excess kilos.
3. Avoid frequent consumption of diuretics or other medications
4.
Stretch your calf muscles a couple of times, particularly before
retiring to bed at nights and after any rigorous physical work-outs.
5. Always sleep on your sides or on your stomach with your feet hanging out at the end of the bed.
6. Make it a habit to consume plenty of water both before and during any physical exercise.
7.
Sometimes leg cramps can happen due to potassium deficiency in your
system. If that be so, you should consume potassium-rich foods after
checking with your physician.
8. Avoid intensive workouts that
overly strain the calf muscles and reorient your regular exercises in
consultation with an expert.
9. Do some calf muscle exercises like
flexing your foot, pointing your toes towards your knees. If you find
that inconvenient, you might as well hold your toes and pull them toward
your knee and thereafter massage your calf gently.
10. Wear good
quality, tested athletic shoes that give you the necessary support when
you are running, walking, jogging or doing other exercises. Make sure
that your shoes do not put excess strain on any part of your legs, back
or feet.
Once you are attacked with leg cramps, application of ice
packs or heat bags can be an effective way to relax the muscles.
Traditionally, quinine is considered the most effective drug for
relieving leg cramps, but it is said that most of the over-the-counter
medicines for leg cramps have been banned as they cause serious and even
fatal, side effects.
Some doctors suggest drinking a glass of
tonic water may be useful and if you think it works, you might as well
keep some tonic water handy.
It will be a good idea to take a warm
shower just before retiring to bed at nights as it will surely help
relax your muscles. If your cramps cause unbearable pain and occurs far
too frequently, then it is advisable to consult your physician regarding
muscle relaxing medications.
The secret to a healthy and fit body includes a healthy diet menu planner
and weight loss meal plans that helps in keeping us in good shape. The
biggest loser training program varies from individual to individual and
helps in attaining the target.
The secret to a healthy and fit body includes healthy diet menu
planner and slim fast diet foods that helps in keeping us in good
shape.The biggest loser training program varies from individual to
individual and helps in attaining their target.By
Ashton Smith
