Cramps in the legs and calf muscles. Causes of calf muscle cramps at night and their treatment. Traumatic muscle injuries and their consequences

Calf muscle spasms at night are one of the most common types of leg cramps. It is important to find out why calf muscle cramps appear at night - the reasons can be different: from a lack of certain vitamins to complex systemic diseases.

The spasm can last only a few seconds, and in some cases up to 15 minutes or longer. A sudden muscle spasm results in a feeling of severe pain, and the leg muscles may twitch and feel hard to the touch. Typically, cramps occur at night in the calf muscles, but sometimes they can occur in the thighs and legs.

In addition to the calf muscle, a cramp can also tighten the muscles of the foot. There are also risk factors for a certain category of people who may be more likely to experience calf muscle cramps during sleep. Most often, muscle cramps appear in middle-aged and elderly people, but they can also occur in children.

Calf muscle cramps at night can be painful and disrupt sleep at night, making it very difficult to get proper rest. Therefore, it is necessary not only to identify the causes of night cramps in the calf muscles, but also to know how they can be prevented.

We will try to look at some of the reasons why calf muscle cramps occur at night. Although the exact cause of these calf cramps is not known, they are most often associated with muscle strain, dehydration, or caused by sitting uncomfortably for long periods of time.

If you have repeatedly experienced cramps in the calf muscle during sleep, you should immediately seek help from a neurologist, since frequent cramps in the calf muscles can be a consequence of various diseases. So, why do calf muscle cramps occur at night - the reasons.

Spasm of the calf muscles - possible causes

The reasons that cause cramps in the calf muscles at night are quite varied and there can be many of them. For example, they can be caused by diseases nervous system or result from an unbalanced diet, in particular, a constant deficiency of calcium, potassium and magnesium.

To better understand this issue, let's look at why the calf muscle cramps at night - causes, treatment and prevention.

  • A fairly common cause of cramps in the calf muscles at night is a lack of trace elements in the blood. Since during sleep a person’s blood circulation slows down and the delivery of necessary nutrients also occurs more slowly, the muscles suffer from a lack of them, a double load occurs, which leads to cramps.
  • Some diseases can have a side effect that leads to leg cramps during sleep. Such diseases are Parkinson's and Addison's disease, type 2 diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease. Also, chronic diseases such as alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver can cause seizures.
  • Nocturnal calf muscle cramps are more common in older people due to circulatory problems or medications taken that stabilize blood pressure.
  • Calf muscle cramps can be a side effect of serious medical conditions and complications.
  • People who take diuretics or have vomiting or diarrhea may experience cramps at night due to low levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. If leg cramps affect your overall muscle weakness, lead to interruption of sleep and create problems during the day, you should consult a doctor.
  • Tense physical activity Drinking before bed can also lead to leg muscle cramps.
  • Calf muscle cramps may occur during pregnancy in pregnant women.

How to Treat Calf Cramps

Recommended drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Dehydration is believed to be one of the causes of nighttime calf cramps. Drink plenty of fluids may help if leg muscle cramps are due to dehydration from diuretics or other causes, such as excessive sweating.

Eat a variety of foods rich in potassium. For example, bananas, cabbage, apricots, grapes, corn, tomatoes, salted fish or pork. Potassium deficiency in the body can lead to leg cramps. If the cause of calf muscle spasms is a lack of potassium, then a diet high in potassium will completely eliminate the problem.

To effectively replenish potassium in the body, it is recommended to take high-quality dietary supplements. Natural Potassium Citrate can be ordered on iHerb.

To effectively maintain the acid-base balance and ensure the muscular work of the heart and the transmission of nerve impulses.

How to relieve cramps in the calf muscles?


In this article, we looked at why calf muscle cramps appear at night - the reasons can be different. These can be diseases of the nervous system, unhealthy diet, and physical exercise before bedtime. In any case, it is necessary to identify the exact cause and prevent it. Be healthy!

Almost every person at some stage life path faced discomfort in the leg area and wondered why it was cramping calf muscles?

It is necessary to distinguish between a one-time muscle contraction and a pathological one that is permanent. Rare contractions are not dangerous to human health. They are caused by metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency, abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system and stress.

Convulsive tensions at night are pathological. In such a situation, the help of a specialist is needed.

The gastrocnemius muscle is located on the back of the lower leg. When it is overstrained, a convulsive state occurs. This is especially noticeable at night, since at night the body is in the wrong position. Why does the calf muscle cramp? In most cases, this is due to blood flow disorders.

Unpleasant sensations may also occur in the following cases:


In pregnant women

Women expecting a baby often experience muscle cramps that last for several days. The reasons for this may be different. Most often this occurs as a result of toxicosis, which may be the main cause. The most common factor is a change in mineral metabolism. This problem occurs at the cellular level, and this is facilitated by the potential difference on the cell membrane.

Problems with mineral metabolism arise due to the increased requirement of the expectant mother’s body for them. Huge reserves are spent on the vital functions and development of the embryo. Due to an eating disorder, a woman does not receive the necessary microelements. Deficiencies are almost always experienced in potassium, magnesium and calcium. Girls who are struggling with the problem of edema can take special medications that promote copious urine output. Low blood hemoglobin contributes to oxygen starvation of the muscles and leads to tics.

As a result of compression of the lower vein by the fetus. This contributes to the disruption of blood flow and a picture similar to varicose veins is observed. In this case, it is especially painful at night, as the abductor muscles experience oxygen starvation at this time. If you have discomfort at night, then you need to consult your doctor, only he can help eliminate this problem and tell you what to do in a particular case.

Causes of calf cramps in children

Children often experience involuntary muscle contractions, which quickly pass if they do not have a pathological condition.

Main reasons:

  • a common reaction to high physical activity;
  • unbalanced diet;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • uncomfortable ambient temperature;
  • stress or fear;
  • insufficient amount of vitamins and microelements;
  • active growth of connective tissue;
  • very active child.

You need to contact a specialist if:

  • the muscle hurts for a long time after contractions;
  • this phenomenon occurs several times a day;
  • The etiology of seizures is not physical activity.

Types of seizures

Cramps can be classified according to intensity and duration.

A severe epileptic seizure is called tonic-clonic. In this state there is no consciousness.

Partial states can be simple and associated with a complex of symptoms accompanied by loss of consciousness.

When the fibers or the entire muscle contract, we are talking about a myoclonic spasm. Such nighttime conditions are present in patients with impaired function or integrity of brain structures, sometimes with a lack of microelements. May be caused by other reasons.

Treatment methods

Cramps in the calf muscle do not just happen. They may indicate the beginning of the development of varicose veins. In addition to this, pain, swelling and heaviness in the legs occur. For such problems, a comprehensive examination is necessary.

To radically solve the problem of muscle spasm, you can use an injection into the area of ​​pain. It quickly relieves the painful syndrome. This manipulation should be done by a specialist who is aware of the location of all vital structures in the leg. You cannot inject yourself; there is a high risk of damage to arteries and nerve endings. Failure to comply with sanitation standards can lead to infection.

Disorders of mineral metabolism are key factor in such a problem. This is due to a violation of their intake from food or a high degree of their excretion in kidney diseases.

Sodium and calcium salts play a huge role in the functioning of all structures of the human body. Their deficiency leads to increased nervous excitability. The first thing that appears is weakness in the legs, fatigue increases, then cramps and muscle convulsions begin. All these manifestations are especially frequent in the dark, when the outflow of blood in the lower extremities is disrupted due to the horizontal position of the body. When prescribing treatment for such symptoms, the doctor must take into account all factors and advise what the patient should do to relieve pain.

Diagnostics

Before prescribing treatment, it becomes necessary to establish the root cause of the disease. For this, a detailed examination is carried out. The doctor must be aware of all the patient’s discomfort, concomitant diseases and injuries. Family history of morbidity is examined. This is necessary in order to find out why the calf muscle is cramped.

Laboratory tests necessary to make a diagnosis:

  • deep blood test (biochemical analysis and ion testing);
  • liver samples;
  • electromyographic study to identify pathologies in the physiology of the muscular system;
  • electroencephalography to study the activity of the nervous system.

Preventing Seizures

To get rid of the problem, you must first adjust your diet. It must contain all the necessary trace elements and essential substances in harmonious proportions. It is important to maintain a drinking regime. During intense physical activity and pregnancy, the body's resources are wasted especially quickly. This factor must be taken into account when adjusting your diet.

A good preventative measure is to stretch the muscles in this area. The main thing is to do everything gradually, without giving a high load. For hypo and avitaminosis, it is advisable to take complex vitamins. Especially if it is not possible to get them from food.

Gymnastics to fix the problem

What to do if you have seizures? For prevention muscle spasms it is necessary to do special physical exercises. They come in several types, so they need to be combined.

Exercises to relieve spasms:

  • Slow walking with heel strike.
  • Stretching the calf muscle. To do this, the flattened leg is straightened, the foot is turned towards the knee. The sock is clasped with your hands and pulled towards you.
  • Run in place. This training will help speed up blood flow in the problem area.
  • Working with your toes. Walking with changing the reference point;

Prevention

To prevent and treat attacks, it is necessary to remove all the causes of their manifestation. Preventive measures do a good job of this.

Convulsive attacks will pass if you follow these simple rules:

  • stick to healthy image life, eliminating all harmful effects;
  • daily moderate workouts without intense loads on your feet;
  • comfortable bed with raised legs;
  • wearing comfortable shoes made of quality materials;
  • exclusion of shoes with high heels and with a sharp rise;
  • if there is a problem with varicose veins, then it is necessary to wear compression garments, otherwise the impaired outflow will reduce the muscle;
  • sleep at least 8 hours;
  • taking vitamins with all the necessary elements or including various fortified foods in the diet;
  • take off your shoes at home and put on slippers;
  • eating foods high in vitamin D and calcium.

You can do special baths in the evening. Baths from sea ​​salt. To do this, dissolve 6 tablespoons of the dry product in 5 liters of water. To relieve pain, you can massage the problem area of ​​the leg. It has a warming effect, increasing blood flow and metabolic processes.

Instructions

In order to relieve pain and discomfort, it is necessary to stretch the cramped muscle. To do this, stand a step away from the wall, facing it. Place your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Place your palms against the wall above your head. Move backwards in small steps, without leaving the floor. Do these movements until you feel that... Do not overdo it, do not lead to the appearance of unpleasant sensations. Stay in this position for approximately . Then pinch and rub.

During cramps in the calf muscles, massage. Thumb With your hands, press on the point in the middle of the muscle, gradually increasing the pressure. After this, press on the area in the popliteal fossa for a few seconds. This massage is contraindicated for pregnant women.

If a spasm occurs when swimming in cool water, take a few physical exercise. In general, you should warm up your muscles to increase blood flow to them. It’s good if you have a pin or needle with you. Stab her where it hurts. This irritation of the muscle will stop the spasm.

To prevent cramps, apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to your feet every day for two weeks. A hot infusion of crow's feet herb will also help. To prepare it, pour a tablespoon of herb with a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour. Take a third of a glass before meals three times a day.

note

There are many reasons for the occurrence of such seizures. Cramps can be symptoms of certain diseases, as well as complications during pregnancy in women. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor in order to identify and eliminate the cause of their appearance in time.

Helpful advice

Do leg exercises regularly, try to get rid of excess weight, strengthen your ligaments, give up uncomfortable and tight shoes, and do not overload your feet.

Many people know firsthand about foot diseases. Among the leaders in terms of unpleasant sensations in the calf. After all, when the leg muscles cramp, it is very painful - you can’t turn around, stand up, or sit down. All actions are accompanied by tension and unpleasant sensations. And there are many reasons for such diseases.

Pregnant women often suffer from pain. Due to the increasing stress on the body and the double consumption of beneficial salts and minerals, mothers show insufficient amounts of calcium. This leads to cramps and pain in the legs. As a rule, the situation is corrected by taking vitamins and additional mineral complexes. The so-called potassium supplement also helps in this case, when you need to eat more bananas, kiwi and honey. In addition, muscle cramps can also be observed in cases where a person develops chronic venous insufficiency. As a result, the veins become pinched, function poorly and become strong in the calves - this is a signal that there is overstrain or a blood pressure disorder. Such manifestations can be relieved by a properly balanced diet with a high content of greens, fruits and dairy products. Normalize your blood pressure and relax. And the pain will go away. In addition to treatment, you can also relieve emerging pain additional funds. For example, massage. Gently stroke the cramped limb. Then gradually massage your leg with very light pressure. This is needed to relieve vasospasm. Alternatively, try to relieve pain with a bath of warm water. To do this, fill the bathtub with water up to knee level and place your feet in it. Stroke them lightly under water. The moisture will relax the muscles and relieve spasms. Which in turn will eliminate pain. Drinking herbal teas is also recommended. You just need to drink them very carefully. Choose only those that do not have a diuretic effect, otherwise you risk leaching out even more calcium, thereby worsening your leg problems.

Calf muscle cramps are sudden muscle contractions that often cramp the muscles of the foot. People of absolutely any age, as well as women during pregnancy, are susceptible to this unpleasant sensation. Most patients note that night attacks of muscle spasms are especially severe, since it is at this time that the human body is most relaxed. After the first manifestation of such a symptom, the victim must contact a medical facility as soon as possible, because if this is not done, serious illnesses may remain without diagnosis.

If a woman experiences cramps during pregnancy lower limbs, this is the first sign of a complicated course of this process. Such a symptom can act as the first sign of a pathology, which is characterized by a critical increase in blood pressure. Frequent contractions of the calf muscles in children may indicate that they are beginning to develop.

The causes are quite varied - from vitamin deficiency to complex internal disorders. Seizures, depending on the type, can be short-lived or last several minutes. In addition, the intensity of pain differs. Treatment is prescribed individually for each patient, especially for women during pregnancy, because not all medications can be taken at such a time.

Etiology

Contractions of the muscles of the lower extremities can occur against the background of certain diseases or in a completely healthy person. Among the disorders that can cause spasms are:

  • lack of calcium, potassium and other essential minerals in the body;
  • body. Due to the small amount of fluid, the blood begins to thicken, causing convulsions;
  • taking medications for no apparent reason or without a doctor’s prescription. These are mainly diuretics that remove magnesium and sodium. It is most common for older people or females who reduce their body weight using such means. This is why calf muscle cramps often occur at night;
  • blood transfusion;
  • disturbances in the blood supply to tissues, which is manifested not only by muscle spasms, but also by severe pain;
  • fever and fever;
  • pregnancy - all the calcium in a woman’s body is aimed at the proper formation of the fetus. Also, increasing body weight due to a growing baby can lead to muscle cramps in the calves and feet;
  • addiction to nicotine for many years;
  • and other foot abnormalities lead to improper load distribution, which is the main cause of spasms;
  • oxygen starvation of muscles due to various ailments;
  • various intoxications of the body;
  • contact with poisonous animals, insects or plants;
  • circulatory disorders in the brain;
  • the influence of high body temperature often causes convulsions in children under six years of age;
  • injuries and lesions of the spine or intervertebral discs;
  • fractures of the lower extremities.

In a healthy adult, seizures occur for the following reasons:

  • prolonged stressful situations;
  • sedentary lifestyle or working conditions. In addition, those who are forced to constantly stand are also susceptible to painful muscle contractions;
  • long walks, especially during hiking trips;
  • intense physical activity, which is why they are often prone to cramps professional athletes. An ordinary person needs to thoroughly warm up and warm up before performing any physical activity;
  • excessively high body weight;
  • a sharp change in temperature, for example, severe overheating of a person in the sun, after which he is immersed in cold water.

Causes of calf muscle cramps at night:

  • heavy load on the legs during the working day;
  • uncomfortable sleeping position;
  • unbalanced diet, eating too many fatty foods;
  • lack of micronutrients in the body.

Varieties

Depending on what factor influenced the occurrence of contractions, seizures are divided into:

  • tonic - arising from intense physical exercise. They arise gradually and last a long time;
  • clonic - unlike the previous type, they are manifested by rapid spasms of one or more muscles;
  • tonic-clonic – combine the qualities of the types described above;
  • febrile - occurs in children under six years of age as a reaction of the body to high body temperature;
  • partial - pain lasts from several seconds to several minutes;
  • alcoholic – expressed in the context of drinking a large amount of alcohol;
  • medicinal – arise from incorrect dosage of narcotic medications;
  • myoclonic – children are most often susceptible to such convulsions. This process involves all the muscles of the trunk or face, which can lead to falls, loss of consciousness and injuries.

Symptoms

For calf muscle cramps, the most characteristic symptom is pain, and in some cases it can be so severe that the person cannot stop screaming. In addition, seizures are accompanied by:

  • muscle hardness and tension;
  • inability to move the affected limb;
  • short loss of consciousness, but only except in cases of partial contraction;
  • throwing your head back and rolling your eyes;
  • increased secretion of saliva.

After an attack, a person often falls asleep or experiences temporary hearing loss.

Complications

In some cases, calf muscle cramps can be fatal. But besides this, the following consequences may develop:

  • slowing of the heart rate, up to its complete stop;
  • bleeding in the brain;
  • various head and back injuries at the time of loss of consciousness.

One-time manifestations of seizures do not pose a danger to human life.

Diagnostics

Seizures in themselves do not require diagnosis, but it is necessary to determine the causes of their occurrence. To do this, the patient, if he is conscious after the attack, must:

  • provide complete information about all the diseases he suffered from throughout his life;
  • tell the doctor what symptoms bother him, how intense the pain is, report possible reasons occurrence. This will help the specialist determine the type of painful contractions;
  • pass both general and biochemical examinations;
  • undergo a full hardware examination, consisting of MRI, CT, ultrasound, radiography and other diagnostic measures;
  • undergo additional consultations with specialists such as,.

It is worth paying attention to diagnostics in women during pregnancy, because not all examinations can be done at this time.

These basic studies will provide an overall picture of the condition internal organs and patient systems.

Treatment

Despite the fact that a cramp may go away on its own, it is necessary to prescribe treatment for the underlying disease if it is after its progression that such an unpleasant symptom occurs. If the attack occurred at work or at home, the victim must be provided with first aid before the ambulance arrives. To do this, you need to do the following:

  • squeeze the area with the greatest pain for several seconds;
  • try to stand up and shift your weight to the injured leg;
  • apply a cold compress or, conversely, use warming ointments;
  • Pull the sock as hard as you can towards the victim. In most cases, this will reduce the pain.

If a woman experiences convulsions during pregnancy, she must be kept at rest and follow the first aid points described above. It is worth noting that after childbirth, all signs of painful muscle contractions will go away on their own.

Calf muscle cramps - sudden and involuntary spasms - usually occur at night and do not depend on age or gender: they affect men and women, the elderly and children. Isolated attacks should not be a cause for concern. But if the problem appears frequently, then it is worth thinking about the reasons that provoke it and take the necessary measures to eliminate the painful symptoms. To do this, you need to contact a specialist.

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    Causes of calf cramps

    In medicine, there are 2 types of calf muscle cramps:

    • clonic– caused by short-term contractions and subsequent relaxations of individual muscle groups;
    • tonic– last more than 3 minutes, as a result of which the muscles can “freeze” in a certain position and cause long-term pain.

    The causes of both types of seizures can be divided into two groups - external and internal.

    External factors

    TO external factors, causing night cramps in the calf muscles include:

    • hypothermia (getting wet feet while walking or swimming in cold water);
    • wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes, for women - high-heeled shoes;
    • excessive physical activity (among athletes and people engaged in heavy physical labor);
    • prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (for example, welders who are forced to squat for a long time);
    • taking certain medications that may cause side effects as muscle contractions(anti-inflammatory, antidepressants, diuretics, insomnia medications);
    • alcohol abuse.

    By eliminating the provoking factor, you can completely get rid of painful sensations and unexpected awakenings at night.

    Internal factors

    The situation is more complicated if the causes of seizures lie inside the body. The list of pathologies that cause calf muscle cramps includes:

    • circulatory disorders in the legs (atherosclerosis, thrombosis, varicose veins, inferior vena cava syndrome, etc.);
    • excess or deficiency of vitamins, micro- and macroelements caused by unbalanced nutrition, diets, the body’s inability to absorb certain nutrients (most often magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus);
    • dehydration due to insufficient fluid intake or increased sweating;
    • anemia of various nature;
    • intoxication accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting;
    • toxicosis during pregnancy;
    • hypoxia (lack of oxygen in certain tissues and organs);
    • dysfunction of the endocrine system;
    • diabetes;
    • renal failure;
    • epilepsy;
    • problems with the spine (hernia, osteochondrosis);
    • disruption of the nervous system as a result of traumatic brain injury, insufficient cerebral circulation, infectious lesions of the central nervous system;
    • stress;
    • acute psychotic disorders;
    • inflammatory and febrile conditions.

    To establish the true cause of muscle spasms, you must consult a doctor for examination and prescribe adequate therapy.

    Causes of seizures in certain categories of people

    Leg cramps can be a problem in childhood and old age, as well as during pregnancy. This may be due to various factors.

    Children and teenagers

    Calf muscle cramps often affect children and teenagers. Most often, this is not associated with chronic diseases, but is caused by an active lifestyle and the active growth of a young body, especially in the period from 7 to 14 years. Spasms in children can also be caused by:

    • prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, when blood vessels are pinched and the normal blood supply to muscle tissue is disrupted;
    • fear caused by loud sounds or sudden switching on of lights;
    • birth injury;
    • congenital dysplasia;
    • joint dislocation;
    • flat feet.

    Old people

    In older people, seizures occur as a result of the following factors:

    • general aging of the body;
    • changes in the size of the calf tendons;
    • poor absorption digestive organs minerals and vitamins;
    • varicose veins;
    • atherosclerosis of blood vessels;
    • various chronic diseases.

    Pregnant

    Calf cramps during sleep often bother pregnant women. Doctors consider this a normal, passing phenomenon. Explain the reason unpleasant symptoms for expectant mothers it is simple: most often they are caused by a deficiency of vitamins and minerals spent on the formation and development of the fetus, tissue swelling, excess weight and increased load on the legs. This condition does not require treatment - after the birth of the baby, the body returns to normal and the seizures disappear.

    If cramps in the calf muscles are not associated with physical activity, appear several times a night and cause intense pain that lasts longer than a day, then you need to go to the clinic and undergo an examination. Sometimes it is enough to take a blood and urine test to identify the true cause of nighttime muscle cramps.

    First aid

    Night cramps usually occur in one leg and go away on their own after some time. But the pain from them is quite strong.

    If your leg cramps during sleep, you need to take emergency measures:

    1. 1. Raise your leg by placing it on a high pillow, bolster or headboard - this will eliminate venous congestion and speed up the outflow of blood.
    2. 2. Massage or pinch the cramped calf muscle with your hands - such manipulation will improve microcirculation and oxygen saturation of tissues.
    3. 3. Do not prick your leg with a needle or pin, as many sources of information advise. As a last resort, you can press on the calf with the obtuse angle of any available object - in this way it is often possible to relax the leg and reduce pain.
    4. 4. Pull the toes of the sore foot towards you - this technique will cause muscle relaxation and help eliminate the spasm faster.
    5. 5. Get out of bed and walk barefoot on the cold floor.

    To avoid waking up during the night from an attack of pain, you need to warm your leg in any convenient way:

    • put on woolen socks;
    • pour dry mustard into socks;
    • take a hot foot bath;
    • wrap your feet in a warm scarf;
    • apply a warm heating pad or plastic bottle with hot water for 15-30 minutes;
    • rub the calves with any warming ointment (Apizartron, Heparin, Finalgon, Viprosal, Capsicum, etc.);
    • drink hot tea or milk.

    If the cramp has passed, but the pain does not subside, then you need to take a painkiller tablet (ibuprofen, naproxen, gabapentin, Motrin).

    Treatment

    Treatment calf cramps aimed at eliminating the causes and diseases that caused them. To compensate for the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, the doctor may prescribe mono-drugs and vitamin-mineral complexes:

    • B vitamins (B₁, B₆, B₁₂);
    • Asparkam;
    • Magne B₆;
    • Magnerot;
    • magnesium sulfate;
    • Magwit;
    • Magnelis;
    • Calcemin Advance;
    • Magnesium Plus;
    • Panangin;
    • Calcium-D₃ Nycomed.

    They must be taken in courses, having agreed upon the appointment with the attending physician. You should not prescribe such seemingly harmless medications to yourself. An excess of microelements and vitamins is just as harmful to the body as their deficiency.

    To compensate for the deficiency of nutrients, it is necessary to balance the diet and include foods rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin D in the diet:

    • apricots;
    • bananas;
    • grape;
    • nectarine;
    • citrus;
    • dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, raisins);
    • sea ​​and white cabbage;
    • broccoli;
    • pork;
    • mutton;
    • liver (beef, chicken);
    • sea ​​fish and seafood;
    • peas, beans;
    • walnut, pine and hazelnut;
    • cashews, pistachios, peanuts;
    • sunflower seeds;
    • Sesame oil;
    • buckwheat, millet, oat and barley groats;
    • dairy products;
    • fresh greens (lettuce, spinach, green onions, dill, parsley).

    It's worth taking advantage of the available folk remedies. Natural bee honey (forbs) can reduce the risk of cramps: it is enough to dissolve one teaspoon of the product 2 times a day half an hour before meals. In the evening, it is useful to supplement it with a cup of chamomile tea: pour a tablespoon of medicinal raw material with a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour and drink before bed.

    Prevention

    You can avoid convulsive relapses if you follow simple rules:

    • maintain a daily routine;
    • alternate physical activity with rest;
    • control your own weight;
    • stop smoking, alcohol and diuretics that cause dehydration;
    • reduce the consumption of sugar and caffeine, which interfere with the body’s absorption of vitamins and microelements;
    • balance your fluid intake, drink at least 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day;
    • seek medical help in a timely manner and follow the doctor’s recommendations for the treatment of chronic diseases that provoke the appearance of spasms of the calf muscles;
    • fulfill simple complex exercises to stretch the leg muscles;
    • keep extremities warm;
    • refuse low-quality shoes, buy shoes in which your feet will feel comfortable (with a comfortable last and a classic heel 5-7 cm high);
    • If you have problems with veins, use compression stockings or tights.

    It is recommended to undergo a course of acupuncture by visiting a specialized clinic. Every day before bed it is useful to take a warm bath, a relaxing shower or foot baths with the addition of essential oils(lavender, rosemary, juniper).