Everyone certainly knows calf cramps, because almost all people suffer from them from time to time. Especially at night, the calf cramps seem particularly painful, because the affected person has focused all his attention, on the strong and stabbing pain that occurs at rest.
What are calf cramps?
Calf cramp describes a painful tightening of the calf muscle in a person’s leg. The cramp usually occurs spontaneously and once, although some people are familiar with regular calf cramps. However, calf cramps also often occur during sports. In most cases, it is only due to a deficiency of minerals, such as magnesium, and can be quickly compensated for by dietary supplements or foods rich in magnesium. Basically, a calf cramp is harmless and can easily be treated immediately, so that it is already over after a few seconds. In rarer cases, however, calf cramp may indicate a more serious condition that needs to be recognized and treated – indicated by more frequent cramps.
Causes
Muscle cramp, and therefore calf cramp, are temporary malfunctions of the nerves, but they are not considered pathological. The cause of such malfunctions lies in an imbalance of electrolytes to deficiency. Especially often calf cramps are due to a magnesium deficiency, but there may also be an imbalance of the saline ratio in the body. These are deficiency symptoms that must be treated. On the other hand, calf cramps that occur at night are more harmless – they are due to short-term deficiency symptoms that can be compensated for the very next day without taking any special steps or treatments. Although such calf cramps are very painful, they have no pathological causes and therefore do not require further treatment. If, however, the calf cramps occur constantly when the patient is already being treated with electrolytes, there is a different cause – usually hyponatremia, in which the body’s sodium content is greatly reduced. This can result from a kidney disorder or hormonal imbalance, but it can also be the result of taking diuretics.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
A cramp in the calves is usually accompanied by severe pain, which occurs immediately when the cramp occurs. However, in most cases, this pain also disappears immediately. During such a cramp, there is often a strong tremor of individual muscle groups. Furthermore, there may be sweating and an increased temperature, although these two symptoms often occur afterwards. In many cases, the affected muscle groups harden, so that smooth movement is not possible afterwards. In most cases, the symptoms of such a cramp in the calves disappear completely on their own. However, if cramps in the calves occur more frequently, the cause should be determined urgently. Often the human body is undersupplied with a certain nutrient, so cramps in the calves can occur repeatedly. If this appearance remains without any treatment by a doctor, then a significant worsening of the symptoms that occur can be expected. However, if one decides to seek medical and drug treatment, then the existing symptoms will subside and disappear within a very short time. A complete and prompt recovery without complications is very likely.
When should one go to the doctor?
Calf cramps usually have harmless causes. They indicate disturbances in mineral balance or tension and usually subside on their own. If calf cramps occur repeatedly, a visit to the doctor is recommended. They may be caused by a serious disease such as Addison’s disease or hypothyroidism. The doctor must clarify the cause. If calf cramps occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted if self-help measures have no effect. Depending on the cause, calf cramps are treated by the family doctor, an internist or the orthopedist. In the case of severe cramps, the cause must be determined at a specialized center. If the muscle cramps occur after a fall, a sports physician should be consulted. In case of hormonal causes, the gynecologist or an endocrinologist is consulted. Other contacts are the neurologist and the orthopedist.For some muscle diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, only symptomatic treatment is possible. Patients must consult their physician regularly and take long-term medications to alleviate symptoms and delay the progression of the disease.
Treatment and therapy
When calf cramps occur, the patient must first find relief on his or her own. The muscle must be relaxed again by stretching and extending the toes of the foot in the direction of the malleus. This can be done while still lying down if the cramp occurred during the night. However, you can also sit up for this and support the toes by hand. After a few seconds, the calf cramp should be over again. If calf cramps occur more frequently at night, a magnesium tablet or magnesium effervescent tablet should be taken in the evening and care should be taken to consume sufficient electrolyte-containing drinks throughout the day. Those who prefer natural remedies should include foods with a lot of magnesium in their daily diet. These include above all: whole grains and wholemeal products, oatmeal, wholemeal flour, peas, brown rice, green vegetables of all kinds, nuts, beans and sunflower seeds (also sesame seeds). Only if these self-treatment measures do not help should the doctor be consulted, as the calf cramp may have another cause that you have not yet considered yourself.
Prevention
The best prevention for calf cramps is to prevent the underlying deficiency before it can cause the calf cramp again. Often the cramp is due to a deficiency rather than a more serious medical condition. In addition to the evening magnesium tablet, you should drink enough throughout the day – mineral water would be suitable, sugary drinks are generally less suitable. Likewise, the already mentioned, magnesium-containing foods are recommended. With nightly occurring calf cramps one can go to the physician and ask him for a recommendation for good magnesium tablets, which one gets however also freely available in the pharmacy or from the drugstore (see our empfholene pharmacy). These simple measures should already help to prevent calf cramps in the future. However, if they do not bring success, one should not treat oneself further, since the preceding cramps may have another cause and are not due to a deficiency symptom. In this case, the doctor knows the best methods of prevention.
Follow-up
The muscle affected by the calf cramp is stretched against the direction of the cramp. In a sitting position on the floor, the toes are grasped and pulled toward the shin. Taking magnesium supplements and drinks containing electrolytes has a relaxing effect on calf cramp. Magnesium deficiency promotes the occurrence of calf cramps. Massaging the cramped muscle promotes relaxation. Warm shower baths are soothing and promote decramping. Treatment with an analgesic ointment promotes healing. Firm kicks on the floor relieve muscle spasm. Repeated kicks with the sole of the foot against the wall relieve the muscle tension. The occurrence of nocturnal calf cramps can be prevented by adopting a favorable sleeping position. Nighttime calf cramps will subside more quickly in back sleepers by placing a bolster under the knees. For side sleepers, a pillow tucked between the knees helps. Stomach sleepers cause a slight stretching of the calf by overhanging the toes of the feet over the edge of the bed. Massages with rosemary or St. John’s wort oil loosen tense calf muscles. In addition to its relaxing effect, the oil has a positive influence on blood circulation. Plenty of exercise reduces the occurrence of calf cramps. A healthy and balanced diet has a preventive effect against calf cramps.
Home remedies and herbs for calf cramps.
- The active ingredients of valerian calm and have an antispasmodic effect. A valerian bath helps with sleep disorders, nervousness or stress. Three tablespoons of valerian tincture are added to a full bath, or 8 to 12 tablespoons of valerian roots are steeped in 3 liters of boiling water, which is then added to the bath water. Its nerve-calming effect makes this bath also help with nervous skin.
What you can do yourself
Often – but not always – muscles cramp due to a magnesium deficiency. But not all commercially available magnesium supplements can compensate for this deficiency.The inexpensive products in particular contain magnesium oxide, which is very poorly absorbed by the body. Magnesium carbonate and magnesium citrate are better, but even they can lead to side effects such as diarrhea when taken at 400 milligrams a day. The most efficient way to absorb magnesium is through the skin, for example via a magnesium spray (pharmacy). Two to three full baths a week with magnesium chloride or Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) are also recommended. For this purpose, 300 grams of magnesium chloride or Epsom salt are dissolved in warm bath water up to 39°C. The bath should be taken as long as possible. Those affected should now bathe in it for as long as possible so that the magnesium can be absorbed transdermally in the process. No other bath additives should be used in an Epsom bath. Often behind calf cramps is also an overacidified muscle tissue. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can help here because it uses gentle current pulses to ensure that the tissue is better supplied with blood. With the blood, the tissue becomes looser and alkaline nutrients can be introduced in greater quantities. EMS treatments are offered by various doctors or therapists. However, there are also EMS devices for home use that are easy to operate. If these measures have not worked and nighttime calf cramps continue, the doctor should be consulted.