Leg cramps can be extremely painful, even though they do not come under serious illness. They generally occur due to the sudden and painful involuntary contractions of the leg muscles. It usually occurs in the calf muscle, which is below and behind the knee. Leg cramp is also sometimes referred to as the night leg cramps. They usually last for a few minutes but can leave you gasping for breath. Sometimes, the pain can be so severe that the patient wakes up in the middle of the night. The pain takes almost 24 hours to go.
Imagine you are deep in the middle of a beautiful dream and are woken up from your sound sleep because of a leg cramp. And the pain is so horrible and excruciating that you lie awake until it goes away. Most of us have faced this scenario. But we generally learn to clench our teeth and bear the pain. But why should you? There are ways with which you can find relief from leg cramps! Here are the top ten home remedies that you can try to get rid of and prevent leg cramps.
1. Drink Water:
Drinking water may seem like such an ordinary thing. But staying hydrated is vital for a healthy body. There is a close link between muscle cramps and dehydration. So, you need to make sure that you have enough fluids in your body to prevent that from happening. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water everyday. If you exercise, make sure that you drink water before and after your workout sessions. Drinking water maintains the electrolyte balance in our body, which is another important reason for leg cramps.
2. Eat Potassium Rich Food:
Potassium deficiency can cause leg cramps. If you do not have enough potassium in your body, then you need to consider eating more sources of potassium or start eating potassium supplements with your meals. Potassium rich fruits include oranges, bananas, grapes, apricots, nectarines, dates, or raisins, etc. Meat like pork, lamb, saltwater fish etc., and vegetables like cabbage or broccoli are also rich sources of potassium.
3. Drink Milk:
Drinking warm milk before going to bed is recommended to ward off leg cramps. Try drinking cow milk because the calcium in the milk helps you to get rid of the leg cramps.
4. Massage the Tightened Muscle Gently:
The best thing to do when leg cramp strikes is to massage the tightened muscles gently. Try to stretch the leg, if you can and bend the ankle backwards, stretching the calf muscle. Or use a hot water bottle or water bag on the affected area to make the contracted muscles relax.
5. Exercise:
If you embark on an exercise program, make sure it is suitable for you. Consult with your instructor and learn a proper stretching routine. Be sure to warm up and stretch before you exercise. Do not work out for prolonged periods or over-exert yourself. And never jump into a new exercise routine and overdo it. Sudden bursts of activity and over exercises can lead to leg cramps later.
6. Footwear:
People with flat foot and other structural problems have more chances of getting leg cramps. Use proper footwear, especially when exercising. This can prevent leg cramps to a huge extent.
7. Soap under the Sheets:
The amazing benefit of placing soap under the sheets may sound strange, yet it is a very helpful way to treat leg cramps. There is no scientific explanation why this actually works. Take any bar of soap and unwrap it and stick it under the bottom of the fitted sheet where your calves would be. You need to make sure to replace the bar every month. Check every night before going to bed to make sure that the soap did not fall out.
8. Lip Pinch:
Here comes another strange remedy to get rid of leg cramps. Pinch your lip. There is no scientific explanation for this too. It is based on experiences. Pinch your upper lip hard for several seconds until your cramp goes away.
9. Yellow Mustard:
It sounds crazy, but you need to try a teaspoon of yellow mustard to treat leg cramps. It is an inexpensive way to get relief from leg cramps. You need to quickly swallow a teaspoon of cheap yellow mustard when down with an achy leg. This is yet another remedy with no scientific base, but it really works in real life.
10. Baking Soda:
Baking soda is helpful for treating a plethora of ailments, including leg cramps. You need to drink ¼ teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a glass of water after exercising. Soda helps in neutralizing the lactic acid that gets formed in the muscles due to heavy exercises.
Apart from these, there are many other home remedies for leg cramps. Examine yourself carefully. Try to follow the remedies stated above. If you still find no relief, consult your doctor for further direction.
Sleep well and dream your beautiful dreams. With these home remedies, leg cramps will be a minor issue from now on!
Do you suffer from frequent leg cramps? What do you do to get relief? Do share with us in the comments section.
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