Cramps in legs during pregnancy and in elderly age: causes, treatment

Leg cramps during pregnancy and in old age - causes, treatment

Spasms are strong, long and uncontrolled muscle contractions that occur without any obvious reasons and almost always at night. Why do leg muscles cramp and what can be done to solve the problem - these questions concern most of the therapist's patients.

Causes of nocturnal cramps of the lower limbs

Before finding out the true causes of the condition in question, it will be necessary to differentiate. The fact is that the signs of some rather serious diseases are perceived as leg cramps, but the solution to the problem will be completely different.

What can be hidden behind the spasms of the lower limbs:

various lesions of the central nervous system that provoke choreoathetoid muscle contractions;
psychiatric pathologies manifested by tics;
contracts;
paroxysms of an epileptic character.

Spasms in the calves of the legs at night indicate the development of any pathologies or abnormalities in the functioning of human systems and organs. Among the reasons that occur most often (provocative factors), it is worth highlighting:

varicose dilatation of the deep veins of the lower extremities;
diseases of the endocrine system;
dehydration;
excessive physical exertion (fatigue);
inflammatory processes that occur directly in muscle tissues;
hidden injuries;
insufficient supply of vitamins and trace elements into the body;
inactive lifestyle.

The causes of night leg cramps in old age lie in the natural processes of atrophy of muscle tissue and insufficient intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium in the body. This problem can be solved with a competently prepared therapeutic course, which includes vitamin and mineral complexes. Elderly people should not forget that the often considered problem is related to hypodynamia, so it is necessary to move even in old age.

Many are interested in why toe cramps occur? You can list the same reasons as above. It is worth adding to them long-term use of certain drugs (convulsive syndrome will be indicated as a side effect) and a decrease in the threshold of muscle excitability (in this case, even small nerve impulses lead to convulsive contraction).

The phenomenon under consideration can also occur in completely healthy people, and everyone knows what to do with leg cramps in this case - they need to be eliminated quickly. This can be done by simply pulling the foot towards you with the toe or pinching the shin. But most often such painful muscle contraction has certain precursors:

excessive physical exertion, overstrain;
change in lifestyle (high activity or, on the contrary, forced inactivity);
exacerbation of any chronic diseases;
improper nutrition with a small amount of vegetables and fruits, meat and dairy products.

If we consider leg cramps during pregnancy, the reasons for their occurrence (except for pathologies) are well known: the growing uterus begins to press on the portal vein. This leads to a violation of the outflow of venous blood from the lower extremities and stagnant phenomena.

How to treat severe leg cramps

If a cramp has already occurred in the lower limbs, the following measures should be taken:

Tense the limb as much as possible. You can pull your foot forward, then with your fingers on yourself - it will help to relieve cramps in the calf muscles.
Pinch the skin. This should be done with quick movements, that is, there should be several pinches.
With strong and quick movements, rub the problem area of the lower limb.
Prick the place of the seizure with something blunt - for example, a pen or the frame of glasses. Scissors or needles should be used for this with extreme caution.

How to get rid of leg cramps in women during pregnancy? First, you need to report the problem to your gynecologist - he will conduct an examination and find out the real reason. Secondly, it is important to take vitamin complexes with magnesium and potassium in the composition, but this can be done only after a doctor's appointment.

It is worth noting that the cause of leg cramps in the elderly may be an irrational diet. It is important to include fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat in the menu, not forgetting dairy products. If convulsions bother an elderly person often, then you need to visit a doctor and find the cause of the problem. The specialist will not only carry out diagnostic measures, but also make a menu, give recommendations on physical exertion, and prescribe treatment for the underlying disease.

You can learn more about how to treat severe leg cramps from specialists whose contacts are on the pages of our website https://dobrobut.com/.