How to Get Rid Of Leg Cramps? : Leg cramps are very common and can occur due to many reasons. One of the most common reasons of severe leg cramps is overworked muscles or due to cold weather. This condition occurs when you get a muscle spasm, meaning you muscles contract too hard. There are many ways to treat this painful contraction, however depending on the factor that has triggered it. This is because some cramps can be medical conditions associated and need a special kind of treatment to relieve the pain. Usually, cramps occur in a calf muscle, behind and below the knee. So what to to do to get rid of leg cramps? Before learning about home remedies for leg cramps, let us first explain to you what causes leg cramps?.
What Causes Leg Cramps?
Here are few underlying causes behind this condition:
- Too much of exertion on muscles
- Sudden movement of leg or foot
- Cold weather
- Dehydration
- Medications such as terbutaline, salbutamol, cimetidine and statins.
- Alteration in balance of salts in the blood stream (high or low sodium or potassium level)
- Kidney dialysis
- Pregnancy
- Under-active thyroid gland
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
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Home Remedies For Leg Cramps Treatment
What to do for leg cramps? HNBT have provided you with some amazing leg cramps remedies that you can try out to relieve those cramps immediately.
1. Water
Like we always say, water is the best medicine. This is a great treatment. This will not only help to avoid cramps, but also relieve it. Dehydration is the major course of most cramps during the night. If your urine is yellowish, then you have not been drinking enough water. Keep drinking until your urine turns clear.
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2. Tonic water with quinine
This has been proven to relieve nighttime cramps. But however, it is important that you avoid taking large dosages of quinine as it is said to trigger side effects such as tinnitus. But however proceed this remedy with the consultation of a doctor.
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3. Turmeric
This is another magical home remedy for leg cramps. Turmeric is widely used in India to treat muscle cramps, wounds, bruises and many more. Mix two tablespoons of turmeric powder with some coconut oil until a thick paste is formed. When you get a muscle cramp, rub this paste vigorously on your leg with your foot pointing upwards. Within no time, you will feel a relief.
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4. Vicks Vapor Rub
This is one of the best yet leg cramp remedies that has been practiced for ages. Massage some vicks or any other vapor rub that you have onto the cramped area. Make sure to keep your leg stretched with your foot pointing upwards.
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5. Magnesium
In some cases, magnesium deficiency may also lead to contraction of muscles. Hence it is important for people who experience cramps often to take magnesium supplements frequently. It works amazingly on pregnancy-related leg cramps.
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6. Brewer’s Yeast
This is helpful in relieving the pain triggered by the cramp as well as the swelling. This yeast contains addition B Vitamins that improves your blood circulation, which later reduces the risk of any form of muscle cramps in your body. Try taking one tablespoon of Brewer’s yeast per day.
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7. Hot Compress
By applying heat to the cramped area, you are actually allowing the muscles to loosen up a little, which later reduces the pain. You may use a hot water bottle or a heating pad. But, prolonged heat compress may increase your muscle soreness. (avoid applying heat for longer than 20 minutes)
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8. Vitamins for Leg Cramps
Did you know that deficiency of B, D, and E vitamins may actually result in leg cramps? These vitamins can be obtained through foods, supplements and sunlight (D vitamins). In fact, a review published in a journal called “Neurology” concluded that vitamin B complex reduced muscle cramps in 86% of the patients studied.
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Stretches For Leg Cramps Treatment
We are including video on stretches you should do when you get a cramp and another on how to massage leg cramps out.
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Now that we have shared with you some of the amazing stretches and home remedies for leg cramp treatments, go ahead and try them. If the pain or swell worsens, immediately see a doctor to ensure that the cramp isn’t related to medical conditions. If there are any other natural remedies to get rid of leg cramps that you know, do share them with us.