Here’s why your legs itch at night and how to fix it
1. What is it?
Leg cramps at night, or night leg cramps (NLCs), are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions.
SLCs, also called charley horses, are uncontrolled spasms in the leg muscles that can be painful. The spasms typically occur in the calf muscles, although they can also appear in the thighs or legs.
Very often people are confused and have not made a difference between leg cramps and restless leg syndrome.
The reason for this confusion is probably because both conditions appear at night. However, you need to know that there is a significant difference.
2. Nighttime leg cramps cause
Experts do not know exactly what causes nighttime leg cramps. There are, however, known factors that can increase your risk. In most cases, nighttime leg cramps are idiopathic, which means that their exact cause is not known.
Other factors that may contribute to nighttime leg cramps include:
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Muscle overexertion.
- Improper sitting position
- Prolonged sitting position
- Abnormal nerve activity
- Tendon shortening.
Some of them are injuries from physical activities pregnancy lack of calcium magnesium potassium kidney or thyroid disease blood circulation problems dehydration and muscle overexertion.
3. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that should be used as prevention against leg cramps.
It is important to start with some stretching to relax the cramping muscles, but make sure you refrain from physical activities that may have initiated an occurrence of cramps in the first place.
Secondly, we recommend that you use regular massages for muscle relaxation or even acupuncture, which is the best way to address the direct cause of this problem. Another recommended remedy is Epsom salt which provides magnesium to the skin and at the same time relaxes the muscles.
When it comes to magnesium you need to include a larger amount of magnesium in your daily diet which can be found in seeds and nuts or, if necessary, consult a doctor in order to take some supplements.
Another remedy is to rub magnesium oil that you can rub on your legs before going to bed. Finally, drinking enough water and going for a walk will definitely improve your health condition and prevent the occurrence of leg cramps.
ALSO IN CASE OF MUSCLE CRAMPS, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THESE STEPS
- Muscle cramps are usually a result of poor blood circulation. Therefore, in order to improve blood circulation when you feel pain from muscle cramps try to move your leg or start walking
- Run the area with gentle movements for a few minutes
- Good airflow is important, so it is necessary to use appropriate blankets and clothing
- Extend the legs and feet as far as you can, lying on the floor
- Stretch the muscles gently
Source:medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com, healthynewz.co.uk
