Everyone certainly knows Calf cramps, because almost everyone suffers from it every now and then. The calf cramps are particularly painful at night, as the person concerned has focused his full attention on the severe and stabbing pain that occurs during rest.
What are calf cramps?
Of the Leg cramp describes a painful cramping of the calf muscle in the human leg. The cramp usually occurs spontaneously and once, but some people are also familiar with regular calf cramps.
But calf cramps are also common during exercise. In most cases, it is only caused by a deficiency caused by minerals such as magnesium and can be quickly compensated for by dietary supplements or foods that are rich in magnesium.
Basically, a calf cramp is harmless and can easily be treated immediately so that it is over again after a few seconds. In rarer cases, however, the calf cramp can indicate a more serious condition that needs to be recognized and treated - this is indicated by more common cramps.
causes
The muscle spasm and with it the Leg cramp are temporary malfunctions of the nerves that are not considered to be pathological. The cause of such malfunctions is an imbalance of the electrolytes up to and including a deficiency. Leg cramps are particularly often caused by a magnesium deficiency, but there can also be an imbalance in the table salt ratio in the body. These are deficiency symptoms that need to be treated.
On the other hand, calf cramps that occur at night are more harmless - they are due to short-term deficiency symptoms that can be compensated for the next day without taking special steps or treatments. Such calf cramps are very painful, but they do not have any pathological causes and therefore do not need further treatment.
However, if the calf cramps occur constantly when treatment is already taking place with electrolytes, another cause is close - usually it is hyponatremia, in which the sodium content of the body is greatly reduced. This can result from a kidney disorder or a hormonal imbalance, but it can also be the result of taking diuretics.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
A cramp in the calves is usually accompanied by severe pain that occurs immediately when the cramp occurs. However, in most cases this pain disappears immediately. During such a cramp there is often a strong tremor of individual muscle groups. Furthermore, sweating and an increased temperature can occur, with these two symptoms often occurring afterwards.
In many cases, the affected muscle groups harden, so that a smooth sequence of movements is not possible afterwards. In most cases, the symptoms of such a cramp in the calves go away completely on their own. However, if cramps in the calves occur more frequently, the cause should be determined urgently.
The human body is often undersupplied with a certain nutrient, which can lead to repeated cramps in the calves. If this appearance remains without any treatment by a doctor, then a considerable worsening of the symptoms can be expected. However, if you opt for medical treatment and drug treatment, the existing symptoms will subside and disappear within a very short time. A full and timely recovery without complications is very likely.
When should you go to the doctor?
Leg cramps usually have harmless causes. They indicate disturbances in the mineral balance or tension and usually subside by themselves. If calf cramps occur repeatedly, a doctor is recommended. It may be caused by a serious medical condition such as Addison's disease or an underactive thyroid. The doctor must clarify the cause. In the event of recurring calf cramps, a doctor should be consulted if self-help measures are ineffective. Depending on the cause, calf cramps can be treated by a family doctor, an internist or an orthopedic surgeon.
In the case of severe cramps, the cause must be determined in a specialist center. If the muscle cramps occur after a fall, you should consult a sports doctor. In the case of hormonal causes, the gynecologist or an endocrinologist is called in. Other contacts are the neurologist and the orthopedist. For some muscle diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, only symptomatic treatment is possible. Patients must consult their doctor regularly and take long-term medication to alleviate the symptoms and delay the course of the disease.
Treatment & Therapy
If Calf cramps occur, the patient must first find a remedy on his own. The muscle needs to be relaxed again by stretching and stretching the toes towards the tibia. This can be done lying down if the cramp occurred during the night. You can also sit up and support your toes by hand. After a few seconds, the leg cramp should be over again.
If calf cramps occur more frequently at night, a magnesium tablet or magnesium effervescent tablet should be taken in the evening and care should be taken to drink enough electrolyte-containing drinks throughout the day. Those who prefer natural products should include foods with a lot of magnesium in their daily diet. Above all, this includes: whole grain and whole grain products, oat flakes, oat flour, whole grain flour, peas, brown rice, green vegetables of all kinds, nuts, beans and sunflower seeds (including sesame).
Only if these self-treatment measures do not help, the doctor should be consulted, as the leg cramp may have another cause that you have not yet considered yourself.
prevention
The best prevention against Calf cramps is to prevent the underlying deficiency before it can lead to calf cramp again. Often the cramp is due to a deficiency and not a worse illness. In addition to the magnesium tablet in the evening, you should drink enough throughout the day - mineral water would be suitable, drinks containing sugar are generally less suitable. We also recommend the magnesium-containing foods already mentioned.
In the case of calf cramps occurring at night, you can go to the doctor and ask him for a recommendation for good magnesium tablets, which are also freely available in the pharmacy or from the drugstore (see our recommended pharmacy).
These simple measures should help prevent future calf cramps. However, if they are unsuccessful, you should not continue to treat yourself, as the previous cramps can have another cause and are not caused by a deficiency symptom. In this case, the doctor knows the best methods of prevention.
Aftercare
The muscle affected by the calf cramp is stretched against the direction of the cramp. In a sitting position on the floor, the toes are grasped and pulled towards the shin. Taking magnesium supplements and drinks containing electrolytes has a relaxing effect on the leg cramps. Magnesium deficiency promotes the occurrence of calf cramps.
A massage of the cramped muscle promotes relaxation. Warm shower baths are beneficial and promote relaxation. Treatment with a pain reliever ointment promotes healing. Firm kicks on the floor relieve muscle spasms. Repeated kicks with the sole of the foot against the wall relieve the muscle tension.
Nocturnal calf cramps can be prevented by taking a good sleeping position. Nocturnal calf cramps are reduced more quickly in back sleepers by placing a bolster under the knees. A pillow clamped between the knees helps with side sleepers. Belly sleepers cause a slight stretch of the calf by hanging the toes over the edge of the bed.
Massages with rosemary or St. John's wort oil relax the tense calf muscles. In addition to its relaxing effect, the oil has a positive effect on blood circulation. Abundant exercise will reduce the occurrence of calf cramps. A healthy and balanced diet has a preventive effect against leg cramps.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines for muscle crampsHome remedies & herbs for leg cramps
- The active ingredients of valerian soothe and have an antispasmodic effect. A valerian bath helps with sleep disorders, nervousness or stress. Three tablespoons of valerian tincture are added to a full bath or 8 to 12 tablespoons of valerian roots are steeped in 3 liters of boiling water and then added to the bath water. Its nerve-calming effect also makes this bath a help for nervous skin.
You can do that yourself
Often - but not always - the muscles cramp due to a magnesium deficiency. But not all magnesium supplements available on the market can compensate for this deficiency. The inexpensive products in particular contain magnesium oxide, which is very poorly absorbed by the body. Magnesium carbonate and magnesium citrate are better, but with a daily intake of 400 milligrams they too can lead to side effects such as diarrhea.
The most efficient way to absorb magnesium is through the skin, for example with a magnesium spray (pharmacy). Two to three full baths a week with magnesium chloride or Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) are also recommended. To do this, 300 grams of magnesium chloride or Epsom salt are dissolved in warm bath water up to 39 ° C. Those affected should bathe in it for as long as possible so that the magnesium can be absorbed transdermally. Other bath additives should not be used in an Epsom bath.
Often there is also an acidic muscle tissue behind calf cramps. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can help here because it uses gentle electrical impulses to ensure that the tissue is better supplied with blood. With the blood, the tissue becomes looser and more basic nutrients can be smuggled in. EMS treatments are offered by various doctors or therapists. But there are also EMS devices for home use that are easy to use. If these measures have not worked and night cramps continue to occur, a doctor should be consulted.
