Why cramps when sleeping?

Cramps during sleep make you feel pain, insomnia? Let's find out the cause and how to treat this condition through the article below.

What is cramps during sleep?

Leg cramps often affect the calf muscles - lasting at the back of each leg from the ankles to the knees. However, they can also affect the muscles in the front of each thigh (quadriceps muscle) and the back of each thigh (hamstring).

Leg cramps occur while awake or sleeping. In most cases, the muscle relaxes in less than 10 minutes, but the soreness may last until the next day. This cramp, if frequent at night will interrupt your sleep.

Leg cramps during sleep are more common in women and the elderly.

The causes of sleep cramps are varied.

What causes leg cramps during sleep?

The cause of sleep leg cramps has not been found . In most cases, nocturnal leg cramps are idiopathic, meaning their exact cause is not known. However, experts believe that there are factors that increase your risk of this condition.

Night leg cramps may be related to foot position . We often sleep with our feet and toes stretched out from the rest of our body - a pose called Plantar Flexion . This shortens the calf muscles, making them more likely to get cramps.

Other factors that may contribute to sleep cramps include:

1. Sedentary lifestyle : Muscles need to be stretched regularly to be able to function properly. Sitting for long periods of time can make leg muscles more prone to cramping.
2. Excessive muscle use: Excessive exercise can overwork your muscles, resulting in muscle cramps.
3. Incorrect sitting posture: Sitting with your legs crossed or toes for long periods of time also affects your leg muscles, leading to cramps.
4. Stand for too long : Research shows that people who stand for long periods at work are more likely to experience cramps during sleep.
5. Unstable nerve : According to neurological studies, leg cramps are associated with an abnormal increase in nerves.
6. Tendonic shrinkage: The tendon, which connects muscles and bones, will naturally shorten over time. This can lead to muscle cramps.

Leg cramps at night are often not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, they are often associated with the following health conditions:

1. Pregnant
2. Problems with the body structure, such as flat feet or spinal stenosis
3. Neurological disorders, such as motor neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy
4. Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
5. Musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis
6. Liver, kidney and thyroid conditions
7. Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes
8. Cardiovascular condition, such as heart disease or peripheral vascular disease
9. Effects of drugs, such as statins and diuretics

Remedy for calf muscle cramps can be easily done at home.

Treatment of cramps during sleep

Although leg cramps at night can be very painful, they are usually not serious. Most people with this condition do not need medical treatment.

You can try the following at home to try to reduce cramping:

1. Foot massage: Massaging the affected muscles can help your body relax. Use one or both hands and gently massage and loosen muscles.
2. Stretching : If cramping in the calf, try straightening your leg. Flex your feet, lift up to eye level and toes facing you.
3. Walk on the heel : This will activate the muscles facing the calf, allowing them to relax.
4. Hot compresses: Heat can soothe muscle cramps. Apply a hot towel, hot water bottle or heating pad to the cramped area. A warm bath may also help.
5. Drinking pickle juice : Some evidence suggests that drinking a small amount of pickle juice can reduce muscle cramps.
6. Take over-the-counter pain relievers if your foot hurts later: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve pain after a cramp. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also work as well as these two medications.

How to prevent leg cramps at night

The following tips may help you avoid foot cramps when sleeping:

1. Drink plenty of water: Fluids that allow muscles to function normally. You may need to adjust the amount of fluid you drink based on factors such as weather, age, activity level and medications you are taking.
2. Stretching: Stretching your calves and tendons before bed can reduce the frequency and severity of sleep cramps.
3. Cycling in the air : A few minutes of exercise with an easy cycling position helps loosen your leg muscles before you go to bed.
4. Change sleeping positions : You should avoid sleeping in positions where your foot is facing down. Try lying on your back with a pillow behind your knees.
5. Choose the right footwear : Poorly designed footwear can exacerbate problems with nerves and leg muscles, especially if you have flat feet.

How to handle cramps