Cramps…
Have
you ever been trying to relax when suddenly, out of nowhere, you get the worst
cramp for no reason? Well you’re not alone. There’s a reason for getting such
cramps and ways you can prevent them, so if you want to know more about those
pesky cramps keep reading!
First
of all, let’s just clarify what a muscle cramp is so that we’re all on the same
page. A muscle cramp is sudden, involuntary contraction of your muscle. Usually
these can occur in your abdominal wall, your arms and also your hands and feet.
These cramps usually cause intense pain for as long as 15 minutes!
Cramps
can be caused through the overuse of your muscles while you’re exercising, but
for those of you who tend to sit around all day long (no shame in that) they
can also be result of muscle injury or dehydration. Dehydration happens when
you lose lots of fluids and through this excess loss you risk losing vital
mineral which contribute to healthy muscle function. These minerals include
calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, hence why most people will recommend
eating a banana or two before a work out! Another common cause of cramps is low
blood supply to your legs and feet when you’re exercising. If you have bad
circulation you may be more prone to muscle cramps.
Before
you start worrying, muscle cramps are not harmful! They usually don’t require
any medical attention and will go away in no time at all. If, however, they
seem abnormally extreme and do not improve you may want to consult a doctor.
This could be a sign of a medical condition.
Some
quick fixes for soothing your muscle cramp it’s good to apply a hot or cold
compress. Heating pads, ice and hot or cold cloths will all do the job nicely.
Stretching is also I good way to alleviate the pain. If none of these seem to
be working, taking an anti-inflammatory may also help to stretch the sore
muscle. Muscle relaxers can also help if you feel like sudden cramps are
interrupting your sleep.
Finally, muscle
cramps can be prevented by always remembering to stretch before you exercise,
lowering your intake of caffeine, drinking enough water to avoid dehydration
and making sure you’re getting enough of those vital minerals!
McA
