Muscle cramps, don’t rush to replenish calcium

Many people in their lives have suffered from short-term pain caused by muscle cramps, just ten seconds, but it makes people "grind their teeth." At this time, most people usually think that they are "calcium-deficient and need to pay close attention to calcium supplementation." In fact, the cause of cramps is not only calcium deficiency, but also pay attention to the following reasons. Only by "treating symptomatically" can the pain be relieved.

Muscle cramps are not only caused by calcium deficiency

"Muscle cramps" are also called "muscle cramps" in medicine. The common causes are usually the following:

One is cold in the limbs. In life, we may find that insufficiency of warmth in winter, bare legs or feet outside the quilt when sleeping, and direct air-conditioning or electric fans on the extremities in summer can easily cause muscle cramps. From a medical point of view, this is because muscles get cold in a cold environment. In order to reduce the loss of heat, the blood flowing through the blood vessels slows down, resulting in insufficient oxygen supply and accumulation of metabolic waste products to form spasms.

The second is muscle fatigue. "Fatigue" here refers to long-term exercise, such as running, mountain climbing, and walking with weights. The muscles will be in a state of tension for a long time, and will cause spasms with the continuous consumption of energy. Then there is the imbalance of muscle contraction and relaxation caused by short-term strenuous exercise. Fast muscle contraction and short relaxation can also cause cramps.

The third is excessive sweating. We all know that sweating will evaporate salt in the body, and salt in the body plays a role in balancing electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in the body. If a large amount is lost, it will cause abnormal muscle excitability and muscle spasm.

The fourth is local compression and arteriosclerosis of the lower extremities. Maintaining the same posture for a long time causes local muscles to be compressed for too long, blood circulation is blocked, and muscle cramps occur. It should be noted that if leg cramps are frequent, be aware of the possibility of arteriosclerosis and lower extremity arterial occlusive disease caused by diabetes.

Fifth, calcium deficiency. This is also the most well-known reason for the general public. For example, dieting to lose weight, excessive intake of salt and sugar, love to drink carbonated drinks, less outdoor exercise, and patients with diabetes will cause too little calcium intake or calcium. Drain. When the concentration of calcium ions in the blood is too low, the muscles are excited and contracted, causing cramps.

"Symptomatic treatment" should do so

The first is to prevent. In the diet, choose foods with high protein and vitamins such as vegetables, nuts, milk, eggs, etc.;

In daily life, you should exercise more outdoors and get more sunshine. You must warm up before exercise. Avoid overexertion during exercise and keep it gradual. It is best to keep your legs and feet warm in moderation. In terms of dressing, keeping your legs and feet warm is the top priority. Avoid direct cold winds in summer.

Secondly, how to deal with muscle cramps? First, if it’s the calf or toe, grab the toe on the cramped side with your hand, pull it up slowly, then slowly straighten the foot, and then forcefully straighten the calf; second, for thigh cramps, you can bend your knees up and wrap your hands around your calf. And repeat forward oscillating movements; third, hand cramps, clenched fists, open forearms forcefully, and extend arms and palms repeatedly until they recover.

Finally, I remind everyone that although there are many causes of muscle cramps, it is preventable and treatable. Only by "treating symptomatically" can the pain be relieved as soon as possible. It should be noted that if it is caused by a dangerous disease or recurrent muscle cramps, you should seek medical treatment in time to reduce the risk of greater physical harm caused by your own misjudgment.