Home Remedies To Avoid Leg Cramps: Leg cramps at night affect 60 percent of adults. Muscle cramps are also known as charley horses. This problem mostly occurs when one or more muscles of the leg suddenly tighten.
Imagine, after a tiring day, you are just lying down on your bed to relax for a few moments and suddenly a vein in your lower leg gets pulled. Due to which the pain in the muscles of your legs becomes so severe that it becomes difficult for you to even move your legs. Most people must have faced this problem at some point in their lives.
According to the American Family Physician, nighttime leg cramps affect 60 percent of adults. Muscle cramps are also known as charley horses. This problem mostly occurs when one or more muscles of the leg suddenly tighten. This problem most often affects the gastrocnemius muscle, which extends from the ankle to the knee at the back of the leg.
However, most of the time the problem of leg cramps resolves on its own in less than 10 minutes. But the severe pain you feel during this period may persist for the next whole day. If you are experiencing frequent or severe leg cramps, consult your doctor immediately to find out the cause and treatment.
What is the cause of leg cramps at night?
However, no exact reason behind leg cramps has been known yet. But doctors definitely talk about some possible reasons like-
dehydration
Sometimes dehydration also becomes the cause of leg cramps. Dehydration means lack of water in the body. Let us tell you, when there is lack of water in the body, the muscles do not get the necessary water to function properly. As a result, the muscles do not function properly and the problem of cramps begins.
electrolyte imbalance
Problem of leg cramps can also occur due to electrolyte imbalance in the body. An imbalance in electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium can cause leg cramps by affecting muscle function.
muscle fatigue
Muscle fatigue, strain or excessive stress can cause leg cramps.
medicines
Some medications such as those taken to treat high blood pressure, diuretics, and statins can also cause leg cramps. Consumption of these medicines can cause electrolyte imbalance. Which can cause leg cramps.