Frequency distribution | Calf Cramps

Frequency distribution

Depending on the underlying cause of cramps, those affected experience more or less frequent calf cramps. In the case of systemic deficiency symptoms, calf cramps can occur almost every night. At night this happens because the muscles are at rest.

For untrained athletes, who run a marathon for example, calf cramps almost always occur after a certain point in time, because the lack of training means that the calf muscles are no longer sufficiently supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Men are generally more frequently affected by calf cramps than women, adults more frequently than children and adolescents. Calf cramps, which have no obvious cause, occur in 2-5% of the population.

Here, too, men are slightly more frequently affected than women. Children and infants are almost never affected. Older people also complain about calf cramps less frequently. The cause for this age- and gender-specific frequency distribution is unclear.

Causes

In most cases a corresponding cause of calf cramps is not found. In the case of nocturnal calf cramps, a magnesium deficiency should be considered. It is important to drink an appropriate amount and to drink a balanced mineral water.

If only tap water is consumed, which is almost always low in minerals, deficiency symptoms occur more frequently, sometimes in connection with calf cramps. After great physical exertion, calf cramps can also occur. This is particularly common among athletes who exceed their performance limits and do not take breaks, often after or during marathons.

The muscle is no longer sufficiently supplied with oxygen and nutrients when the load limit is reached and begins to supply anaerobic energy. The muscle works in an acidic environment. In these metabolic situations, the affected athletes almost always experience a sore muscle the following day.If the sporting activity is not slowed down and even extended in this situation, the risk of muscle cramps is increased accordingly.

Too little drinking continues to increase the risk. Some drugs can also cause muscle cramps and muscle pain. First and foremost, so-called cholesterol-lowering drugs should be mentioned here.

Regular use leads to an increased risk of muscle cramps. If they occur, a change of medication should be considered or, after consulting the doctor, a pause in medication should be considered. If a calf cramp occurs at night, there are various possible causes.

If sport was done the day before, overexertion can be the reason for a night-time calf cramp. In future, care should be taken to ensure a sufficient warm-up phase and sufficient water should be drunk. Other reasons for nightly calf cramps are a lack of magnesium, which has developed over time and becomes symptomatic at night.

In addition, a very restless sleep can also be responsible for the occurrence of calf cramps. Rooms that are too cold or too warm to sleep in can also contribute to the development of a calf cramp. Calf cramps usually last only a few minutes, but can sometimes occur more frequently at shorter intervals.

An important measure in the acute situation would be to stretch the affected leg accordingly. This would involve passively pulling the toes of the foot towards the body with the hand and stretching the heel away from the body. You should remain in this position for a few minutes.

The cramp will resolve relatively quickly. Another possibility would be to stand on your feet and stamp heavily with the affected leg on the floor. The vibrations will cause the cramped muscles in the calf area to loosen.

You can manually try to loosen the hardened muscles in the calf area. Here you can press with your index and middle finger in circular movements on the hardened muscle to manually release the tension. A treatment attempt with a heat pad can also be attempted.

If no measures should help, a less frequent vascular change in the calf muscle area should be ruled out. Some circulatory disorders can also be the cause of night-time calf cramps. An ultrasound examination may then become necessary.

Calf cramps during pregnancy usually have the same causes as in people who are not pregnant. Very often the electrolyte balance is upset, i.e. either calcium or magnesium is present in too small a quantity. This imbalance is often caused by not drinking enough.

In pregnant women, the slowly increasing weight also leads to overloading or incorrect loading of the legs. This can also be the cause of mainly nightly calf cramps. As a preventive measure, care should be taken to drink a sufficient amount of non-demineralized water (i.e. if possible no tap water).

Massages and warm compresses on the legs can also help to prevent night cramps. Regular exercise is essential. Circling the feet, e.g. in the supine position, can also help to prevent calf cramps.

If no measure is effective, a doctor should be consulted. The first symptoms of a calf cramp are sudden shooting pains in the calf area. Within a few seconds, moderate to severe pain in the calf area can occur.

Often during the night, the affected persons start up in pain. Another common symptom is muscular hardening in the area of the calf muscles. This is ultimately responsible for the severe pain in this area.

The third symptom that is usually not quite as pronounced is restricted movement. In the muscle areas of the calf, which can be very tense, the usual movements can no longer be carried out normally. In this case, this would mainly be the extension and flexion of the foot.

Standing on your toes would be correspondingly difficult. Nevertheless, this is exactly what should be attempted in order to loosen the corresponding cramp. Because of the severe pain, most patients also feel an agonizing restlessness. Most of them start to move fast and quickly or massage the calf.