What are the causes and the best remedies for night cramps?
Cramps are defined by involuntary contractures of a muscle or group of muscles suddenly becoming stiff and painful.
These cramps most often affect the lower limbs, but they can sometimes occur at night, which wakes the person experiencing them and can thus significantly disrupt the quality of sleep. Today we are going to review the best remedies for these painful nocturnal manifestations.
AT note that if the cramps occur very regularly and their pain is persistent, it is necessary to seek the advice of a doctor .
The first thing to do in case of night cramps
It's four o'clock in the morning. You wake with a start as a stabbing pain in your calf pulls you out of your sleep. This hasty end to the sports session, without stretching, did not spare you and you are very annoyed. But then what to do in order to relieve your leg and be able to return as quickly as possible to the arms of Morpheus? The first thing is to stretch the limb in order to help resolve the cramp. For this, you can try walking barefoot on cold ground for a few meters. If this exercise is made too complicated by the intensity of the contraction, you can, in a lying position, stretch the leg lengthwise in order to thwart the contraction causing the pain. Once the cramp has passed, treat yourself to a muscle massage from bottom to top to promote venous return. This massage can be accompanied by the application of essential oils such as that of true lavender, or that of wintergreen, known for their analgesic properties. Another alternative to relieve the cramp is to take a cold shower, ending with hot water, which often quickly releases the muscle spasm.
Warning: dilute the essential oils well before use. Wintergreen essential oil is contraindicated in people allergic to aspirin or salicylates and in case of taking anticoagulants.
Diet and muscle cramps
It's the next day, you can't stop yawning and you've decided that this episode of cramps won't spoil your future nights. You are therefore looking to put in place the most effective solutions in order to overcome them. But for that, it would already be necessary to understand what triggers them.
Cramps have various causes whose mechanism is not always well understood and they are therefore sometimes quite difficult to determine. One of the most common and well-known is magnesium deficiency, a mineral useful in muscle contraction. Potassium deficiency can also cause cramps. Thus, when it comes to getting rid of cramps, we make sure to fill in the gaps by optimizing our food intake. Foods such as honey are full of nutrients and in particular mineral salts, as are legumes, dried fruits, oleaginous fruits, bananas or even dark chocolate. Thus, by increasing their consumption, you will put all the chances on your side to get rid of cramps. If this is not enough, you may be able to benefit from magnesium supplementation on the advice of your attending physician.
Don't neglect hydration
The best weapon against cramps is surely impeccable hydration. Indeed, the drop in water content of the body is known to be the number one cause. The good news is that it is very easy to remedy, and the benefits of proper hydration go far beyond muscle relief. You can therefore increase your water consumption up to 2L per day, especially when you play sports or when it is hot. Indeed, in these cases the loss of water from the body is multiplied and it is important to limit it before, during and after the sports session but also that of tanning. Prefer the purchase of water rich in mineral salts, and change brands regularly in order to benefit from various contributions.
Some over-the-counter products such as Hydratis solutions can help you with this hydration mission. Indeed, these pellets containing mineral salts, sodium, glucose and trace elements allow the body to better absorb water which contributes to more effective muscle recovery and therefore contributes to our objective.
Some other remedies for night cramps :
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If you are fond of homeopathy , it is towards Cuprum metallicum in 9 CH that you should turn. To prevent night cramps, take 5 pellets at bedtime. You can continue this ritual for several weeks until the disorder is completely resolved.
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If phytotherapy speaks to you more, passionflower will be your best ally. Indeed, this plant has muscle relaxant and analgesic properties. Moreover, it is reputed to reduce anxiety and insomnia, which makes its use perfect in the event that the occurrence of night cramps has ended up making you dread bedtime. You can take passionflower in the form of a glycerine macerate, a teaspoon morning and evening for 20 days.
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Apple cider vinegar may seem a little less glamorous, but it's no less effective. Indeed, it is very rich in magnesium and potassium and can be used in many ways. First, by adding two cups to your bathtub when bathing, or by ingesting a teaspoon of this condiment in a cup of hot water with a spoonful of honey.
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