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When I slept well at night, I suddenly had "leg cramps", and the pain made people wake up instantly, and shouted "Oops, my legs!" "I'm sure many people have had this experience. Most people may think that this is a calcium deficiency. In fact, there is a lot of reason behind leg cramps!
Description of symptoms and symptoms
Nocturnal leg cramps, also known as "leg cramps", are muscle cramps that occur suddenly during the night. It is usually found in the calf area, but sometimes it can also occur in the thighs and feet.
Each episode often lasts a few minutes, and it's heartbreaking! Sometimes, there is residual pain after the cramps, making it difficult to fall asleep. Data shows that nighttime leg cramps are very common in adults, especially older adults and women, and sleep disruption is more pronounced.
Common myth: Calcium deficiency is not necessarily necessary
Many people think that leg cramps are a sign of calcium deficiency, but the reality is not so simple. It is true that calcium deficiency can cause muscle cramps, but this is only one of many causes. Leg cramps are associated with a variety of factors, including muscle fatigue, nerve dysfunction, medication side effects, and certain medical conditions.
One of the main causes of leg cramps is muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction. As an example, there was a study of endurance athletes that showed that high-intensity exercise was associated with leg cramps.
Those athletes who exercise more than normal levels are more likely to experience leg cramps at night. This suggests that excessive muscle use can lead to excessive muscle fatigue, which can lead to cramps.
Certain medications are also directly related to leg cramps. For example, intravenous drugs such as iron sucrose, conjugated estrogen, raloxifene and naproxen. These drugs can trigger high-frequency involuntary nerve firing, which can cause muscle cramps.
The study found that the incidence of leg cramps was significantly higher in patients who used these drugs. These medications often cause side effects when treating other conditions, so special care is required when taking them.
In addition to medications and muscle fatigue, leg cramps are associated with a variety of conditions. The incidence of leg cramps is significantly increased in patients with peripheral vascular disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, cirrhosis, and hemodialysis.
For example, studies have shown that patients on hemodialysis are more likely to have leg cramps due to hyperphosphatemia. In patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis, leg cramps are not associated with changes in electrolyte levels such as creatinine, calcium, and magnesium, but are more associated with metabolic disorders.
Diagnosis and differentiation
To diagnose leg cramps, doctors usually take a detailed medical history and do a physical exam. By asking about the person's symptoms, the timing and duration of the attack, and the medical history, doctors can make a preliminary determination of leg cramps.
At the same time, doctors need to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as restless legs syndrome, claudication, myositis, and peripheral neuropathy.
During the physical examination, the doctor examines muscle tension, nerve reflexes and blood circulation in the legs. If necessary, further laboratory testing may also be done to rule out other underlying health problems.
Routine laboratory tests, such as electrolyte levels, are usually not very helpful in diagnosing leg cramps, which are not related to electrolyte imbalances in most cases.
Treatment and prevention recommendations
Currently, there are a variety of treatments for leg cramps, but none of them have proven to be both safe and effective. Here are a few things you can do to relieve your symptoms:
Passive stretching and deep tissue massage are two simple and harmless treatments. Stretching your calf muscles before bed can reduce the chance of cramps at night. Some studies suggest that pain can be relieved during cramp attacks by stretching the toes and calves vigorously. Although scientific evidence is limited, these methods do have some effectiveness in practice.
Moderate aerobic exercise, such as stationary bike or treadmill training a few minutes before bedtime, can effectively relieve muscle fatigue and reduce the frequency of leg cramps at night. Moderate exercise is very beneficial, especially for those who have fatigued leg muscles due to prolonged sitting or lack of exercise.
Although there are no specific medications, some have shown some effectiveness in relieving leg cramps. For example, Carisodol (Soma), diltiazem (Diltiazem), gabapentin (Neurontin), Offhadine (Norflex), Verapamil (Verapamil) and vitamin B12 complex, among others.
Magnesium has been mixed in non-pregnant adults, but has shown some positive results in pregnant women. Although these drugs are not used as a conventional treatment, they can be tried in specific situations.
In the face of night leg cramps, many factors should be considered. Calcium supplementation alone cannot solve all problems, and it is necessary to understand the specific causes of leg cramps and take comprehensive treatment measures.
Finally, what experiences and insights would you like to share? Feel free to leave a message in the comment area!
Bibliography:
Richard E. Allen, MD, and Karl A. Kirby, MD, "Nocturnal Leg Cramps," American Family Physician, Volume 86, Number 4, August 15, 2012.