Often, doctors hear from patients the question: “Why does it cramp your legs?” Physicians encounter this phenomenon very often. What are convulsions? How to get rid of this disease?

A cramp is an involuntary contraction of one or more muscles. Most often, patients complain of discomfort in the legs, namely in the calves. For some reason, this muscle is suddenly clamped, which is accompanied by sharp, sometimes unbearable pain. The most common causes of leg cramps are as follows.

1. Micronutrient deficiencies: deficiency of magnesium, B vitamins.
2. Diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland.
3. Hypoglycemia is low glucose levels. Most often observed with improper control of the condition of a patient with diabetes.
4. Active physical activity, sports (football, running).
5. Varicose veins.
6. Atherosclerosis, circulatory disorders.
7. Heart failure.
8. Sleep disorders. Patients note that in a dream, sudden pain grabs the legs much more often.

Wrong lifestyle can also be the reason that often cramps legs. Factors such as:

• stress;
• wearing shoes with high heels;
• malnutrition, which prevents the normal absorption of nutrients;
• self-treatment of tonsillitis, bronchitis, which gave a complication in the heart.

Magnesium deficiency as the main factor in the manifestation of the disease

An insufficient amount of magnesium in the body is almost the first reason why there are cramps. A lot of people lead the wrong way of life, and their menu is not balanced enough. Magnesium levels become very low. The assimilation of this trace element is also hindered by bad habits: drinking alcohol, a lot of coffee, bakery products, chocolate, cakes.

When magnesium deficiency occurs, the body tries to replenish it from its own resources: bones, muscles. Therefore, when frequent cramps occur, the very first thing to do is to take a blood test for magnesium content. In addition to the manifestation of discomfort in the legs, the following symptoms can indicate a lack of magnesium.

1. Fatigue, memory impairment, reduced concentration.
2. Nervousness, anxiety, frequent nightmares.
3. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation.
4. Painful periods in girls and women.
5. Fragility, hair loss, poor condition of the nails.
6. Caries, toothache.
7. Arrhythmia, tachycardia.

When, in addition to cramps in the legs, there are several more of the above symptoms, the patient is likely to lack magnesium in the body. With the help of a special diet, massage and medication, you can improve the condition.

Leg cramps in pregnant women and children

Statistics say that every second pregnant woman complains that her legs cramp. The causes of seizures in pregnant women have their own specifics.

1. Everyone knows that the taste preferences of women in position are changing. Therefore, it is very important that the expectant mother eat right. If this does not happen, there is a lack of vitamins. As a result, a cramp can overtake suddenly while swimming or sleeping.
2. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland may appear after a period of severe toxicosis, frequent vomiting.
3. Lack of vitamins due to active growth and development of the fetus. The future baby takes a lot of useful substances. The pregnant woman feels all this on herself. Muscle spasms may appear.
4. Venous insufficiency. It is typical for many women in position, since the blood supply is more intense in the pelvis, and the vessels of the legs are under high stress. The blood flow is disturbed, which causes seizures.

Nocturnal severe convulsions in children are observed during the active phase of growth. This phenomenon is very scary for the baby. When a child has night pains, parents should help him cope with them. When leg cramps grab infrequently, this is normal. However, when the problem has become permanent, you need to contact a specialist. The most common causes:

Before sending the baby to sleep, it is necessary to calm and relax him as much as possible.

Help with cramps

When leg cramps suddenly overtake, few people care about the cause. I want to get rid of the discomfort as soon as possible. To do this, a number of measures must be taken.

1. Pull the toe of the foot towards you, then relax, then pull again.
2. In order to facilitate the flow of blood, you need to get up and walk.
3. Rub the affected area with massage movements. You can use a warming ointment.
4. After the condition has returned to normal, you need to lie down a little, raising your leg.

When discomfort bothers you more and more, you need to consult a doctor. Depending on the results of the examination, treatment will be prescribed. There are a number of recommendations. They must be observed by those people who have encountered the problem in question:

• proper nutrition (the use of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, trace elements, foods rich in magnesium);
• healthy lifestyle (moderate exercise, walking, running, avoiding smoking, alcohol);
• during sleep, take a comfortable position;
• foot baths;
• foot massage before bedtime with a warming cream;
• wearing only comfortable shoes without heels;
• taking multivitamin complexes;
• if there is flat feet, it is necessary to begin its treatment.

Cramp is a fairly common problem faced by people of all ages, but it is especially prone to those who have a magnesium deficiency. There are many other reasons why there are leg cramps. Therefore, when the problem has become permanent, it is necessary to consult a specialist.