What is a night cramp?
A cramp is called a involuntary muscle contraction. It is called nocturnal when it occurs at night. Several muscles can be affected, but at night, as explained by the site Ameli, it is generally the legs. For example, you can have a nocturnal cramp in the calf or thigh.
The night cramp is very painful, but usually disappears after a few minutes. However, your muscle may remain sensitive for several hours after the cramp.
What is the cause of a night cramp ?
Athletes, seniors, pregnant women are the most affected. But one teenager can also suffer from night cramps. THE causes of calf crampthigh or any other muscle are various:
- intensive physical effort;
- poorly done (or skipped) stretches;
- lack of hydration;
- a deficiency in mineral salts.
The cramp is explained by theincreased excitability of skeletal muscle nerveswhich results in a involuntary and sudden contraction.
Moreover, the stress can cause night cramps but also a poor blood circulation.
If a cramp from time to time is nothing to worry about, their multiplication or the persistence of pain are warning signs. You should then consult. This makes it possible to check that the cramps are not hiding a more serious pathology, such as a venous insufficiency or rheumatic disorders.
nocturnal cramp
How to prevent night cramps?
It is possible to put in place certain actions in order to prevent cramps. Here are the main tips:
- drink 1.5 liters of water per day ;
- choose mineral waters rich in mineral salts ;
- adopt a balanced diet : stock up on fruits and vegetables so as not to lack potassium, magnesium or calcium;
- reduce the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee.
Athletes should ensure warm up before exerciseand to perform their stretching after. Pregnant women will have to avoid deficiencies by eating a varied diet.
Before sleeping, you can also put in place these gestures, to prevent possible cramps at night:
- walking barefoot on cold ground (tile type);
- take a cold shower, by raising the jet from bottom to top on the calf. Finish with a jet of hot water, which will release the spasm;
- place a cushion under calves and feet to sleep. This promotes venous circulation at night;
- make a pedaling movement of the legs every night before going to bed.
Is homeopathy effective?
What to do for nighttime calf cramps ? If the gestures mentioned above are not sufficient to relieve your cramps, you can always try homeopathy. For example, you can preturn 5 pellets of Cuprum metallicum in 5 CH every evening before YOU to sleep.
A copper-based treatment to also be used at the time of the crisis, at the same dosage.
What are the grandma’s remedies ?
One of the best-known grandmother’s remedies for relieving a nocturnal cramp in the left thigh for example, is put a piece of Marseille soap at the bottom of your bed (in a stocking). Based on potash, it would compensate for potassium deficits. An effectiveness that has never been proven…
What to do to relieve a cramp?
In case of nocturnal cramp in the foot or on the tibia, you can take several steps to relieve it. In particular, you can:
- stretch the sore muscleto thwart the muscular contraction at the origin of the cramp;
- lie on your back and pull your leg (very straight) towards you: hold the position for ten seconds;
- follow up with a massage : the calf must be massaged from bottom to top, to facilitate venous circulation. The ideal is to repeat this operation as a preventive measure, once or twice a day.
What essential oils to use?
Use the essential oils to relieve cramps is also possible. Their relaxing, warming and antispasmodic properties can help you relieve tension due to night cramps.
Before sleeping, it is recommended to perform a massage with a preparation composed of several essential oils:
- abrial lavender essential oil : helps the muscles to relax thanks to its relaxing properties;
- clove essential oil : prevents muscle contractions;
- bay laurel essential oil : toning action that helps the muscles to function well during the day.
However, be sure to talk to your doctor before using any essential oil. Indeed, it is essential to check that there is no possible drug interaction.
nocturnal cramp
What is the use of herbal medicine?
Relieving your night cramps can also go through herbal medicine. Several plants can be used in infusion. You can make yourself a drink with:
- there monadbetter known as red tea;
- there passion flower ;
- THE horse chestnut.
What diseases cause cramps?
Certain diseases can promote the occurrence of night cramps. This is for example the case of:
- there chronic kidney disease ;
- some endocrine diseases : hypothyroidism, diabetes…;
- some neurological diseases : neuropathy from diabetes, alcohol intoxication…;
- there cirrhosis.