Research has found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, are effective against pain due to muscle cramps, such as lower back spasms. In severe cases, a person may experience greater relief by taking NSAIDs together with muscle relaxers.
Stretch and massage.
Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it. For a calf cramp, keep the leg straight while pulling the top of your foot on the side that's cramped toward your face. Also try standing with your weight on your cramped leg and pressing down firmly.
Drinking fluids while you have a cramp helps the muscles contract and relax. When you keep hydrated, your muscle cells also stay hydrated and are less irritable or uncomfortable. If your muscle cramp continues and requires more than topical home remedies, take a common painkiller like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency are the prime reasons to cause muscle cramps and joint pains. It is important for each of us to know our vitamin levels in the body so that accordingly we can take supplements, and special nutrients to our diet and most importantly if required, seek medical help.
Bananas: A Time-Tested Treatment
You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel.
When a tight muscle tries to relax, it sometimes begins to contract more than normal instead, causing a cramp." Exercise-induced cramps may occur either due to an electrolyte imbalance, dehydration or because the muscles are out of shape and are being exercised for the first time in a while.
The exact cause of cramp is unknown but risk factors may include poor physical condition, mineral and electrolyte imbalances and tight, inflexible muscles.
Most muscle cramps are harmless. But some might be related to a medical concern, such as: Not enough blood flow. A narrowing of the arteries that bring blood to the legs can cause a cramping pain in the legs and feet during exercise.
Muscle cramps can be a symptom of many different medical issues. They are often associated with muscle strain, but they can also be a sign of medical conditions such as circulation problems and liver disease.
Apply heat: Use a heating pad or take a warm bath. Apply cold: Wrap a bag of ice in a towel and apply it to the area. Take pain medications: Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with the pain. Elevate: Prop up your leg after the cramp starts to feel better.
If too much salt is lost, the level of fluid in the blood will drop. Hyponatremia is a condition that occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below the normal range of 135–145 mEq/L. In severe cases, low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
But if your symptoms persist even after at-home remedies, it could be more than just leg pain—it could be your heart. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that is marked by limited blood flow to the limbs, particularly your legs, as a result of plaque buildup in your arteries.
Leg pain and cramping is common and often due to muscle spasms. While this pain can feel severe, it is usually not serious. But, sometimes, what feels like a leg cramp may actually be something more serious: a blood clot in your leg, also called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Muscle cramp denotes an episodic, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasm is a more encompassing term referring to any involuntary muscle contraction.
You should seek immediate medical help if: The cramps last longer than 10 minutes and fail to improve, despite exercise.
Regular calf-stretching exercises may help to reduce cramps but may not completely stop them from happening. Stand facing a wall and stretch out your arms until your hands can just touch it. Make sure you are able to stand up straight and that your feet are flat on the floor.
Stretch during the day and before bed. Focus on your calf and foot muscles. Drink plenty of water. Move around during the day to exercise your feet and legs.
Acetic acid is postulated to mitigate cramping by decreasing alpha motor neuron activity through oropharyngeal stimulation and inhibitory neurotransmitter production, while aiding in the role acetylcholine plays in muscle contraction and relaxation.