#154 Cramps... (English)

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