Leg cramps at night: what to do, how to treat?

Despite the high prevalence of nocturnal calf cramps, it is not entirely clear why some people have cramps and others do not. Many interventions are currently available to prevent nighttime calf muscle cramps (eg, quinine, magnesium and muscle stretching, strengthening and splinting), but neither drug therapy [1]nor physical therapy [2]has shown adequate efficacy and safety.

Treatment of leg cramps at night depends on which pathology is identified. For this, correct diagnosis and determination of the etiological factor is very important. Only knowing the cause of the pathology, you can take appropriate measures to eliminate these causes and normalize the changes that have occurred in the body. So, seizures often occur as a result of a lack of magnesium in the body and the corresponding changes that are associated with metabolic disorders.

If the cause was, for example, a disruption in the normal functioning of the brain, the essence of therapy is to normalize its functional activity. In case of pathology of the muscular system and the musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to undertake appropriate therapy, as well as introduce means of physiotherapy exercises and rehabilitation therapy, including manual therapy, massage. In most cases, therapy is long-term, continuous. It depends largely on the adequacy, activity and characteristics of the course of the pathological process.

Mostly drug therapy. Sometimes the complex treatment includes appropriate physiotherapy methods, alternative remedies, homeopathy. In the event that diseases of an autoimmune direction are identified, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used; cytostatic immunosuppressants.

Basically, treatment is etiological, that is, it is aimed at identifying and further eliminating the cause of the pathology. Symptomatic therapies are also used, but they are less effective and are most often seen as supportive. A prerequisite for successful therapy is the inclusion of manual therapy, massage, exercise therapy, respiratory gymnastics, and motor activity into the daily regimen. It is best to use the means of physiotherapy exercises, hatha yoga, qigong. Swimming is useful because it effectively relieves hypertonicity, relaxes tense muscles, and also tonifies weakened muscles. [3]

What to do?

What to do to eliminate seizures can only be answered by a doctor after a complete examination of the body has been carried out, the reason for the seizures has been identified. Independently, you can provide only emergency care, the essence of which boils down to symptomatic therapy, the removal of the seizure itself and the temporary relief of the condition. First, it is necessary to include the means of manual influence (rubbing, kneading the affected area), which will provide access to blood and oxygen to the site of the convulsion. This will immediately relieve pain and relax the muscle. Secondly, you need to take an anticonvulsant, or antispasmodic.

The therapy almost always includes special anticonvulsants, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants. From physiotherapy procedures, various thermal procedures, electrical procedures are shown. If seizures are accompanied by pain, appropriate pain relievers are used. The most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which relieve pain as quickly and effectively as possible. The mechanism of their action is that, in addition to their own anti-inflammatory action, they also have antipyretic, analgesic effects.

Remedies for cramps in the legs at night

For cramps in the legs that occur at night, various medications are used. The most effective means of relieving seizures is the use of various anticonvulsants.

The simplest remedy that is used for light, superficial convulsions that occur sporadically and do not wear a prolonged, paroxysmal nature, take no-shpu. So, it is recommended to drink it in a course, a tablet 2-3 times a day (regardless of the presence or absence of seizures). The course of treatment is 10-14 days. And also take an additional 2 more tablets immediately at the time of the onset of the convulsion. It is worth noting that at the moment when the cramp occurs, this place should be well massaged, using first light strokes, then deeper kneading and rubbing.

For more severe and prolonged convulsions, carbazepam is used. The optimal dosage is 3-5 mg / kg of body weight. It is recommended to take a course of treatment, on average 14-28 days. The tablets should be taken 2-3 times a day.

Ketolorac is also recommended to be taken at a concentration of 60 mg per day. You can break this dosage 2-3 times a day. The drug relieves tension, allows you to normalize the functional state of muscles, the conduction of nerve impulses, relieves pain quite effectively.

Trometamol is the most powerful drug that can help relieve seizures. It is applied at 60 mg / day, 2 times a day. It is recommended to take it exclusively on the recommendation of a doctor, as well as strictly observe the dosage, not to exceed it. This is due to the fact that the drug causes numerous side effects.

Ointments for cramps in the legs at night

For cramps in the legs, which appear or worsen at night, various ointments are used. For example, troxevasin-gel helps well, which is used 2-3 times a day, regardless of whether the cramp is worried at the moment or not. Also, an ointment is additionally applied directly at the moment when a convulsion occurs (rubbing the affected area).

Traumalgon ointment has proven itself well, which has a warming effect, eliminates pain and muscle tension, as a result of which the tone is significantly reduced, spasm and spasm are eliminated. Similar ointments that allow you to quickly eliminate spasm are dolobene, chondroitin, chondroxide, larkspur, saber, bee venom.

Vitamins

When seizures appear, it is necessary to take vitamins, since most seizures are directly or indirectly associated with a violation of vitamin metabolism, hypovitaminosis or vitamin deficiency. Also, quite often the presence of seizures indicates a lack of magnesium in the body. It can be taken separately, in the form of medications, or you can choose a vitamin complex (multivitamin complex), which will include magnesium. [4] In addition, convulsions are often associated with a lack of vitamins A, E, PP. It is also necessary to have vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, eliminates and neutralizes toxins, relieves the effects of hypoxia and oxidative stress that occur immediately at the time of a convulsion. Therefore, it is recommended to take vitamins in the following daily concentrations:

• Vitamin PP - 60 mg
• Vitamin A - 240 mg
• Vitamin E - 45 mg
• Vitamin C - 1000 mg

Physiotherapy treatment

Usually physiotherapy is used as an adjunct, which is included in the complex therapy. The maximum effectiveness is observed when combined with medications, including anticonvulsants. Of all the methods of physiotherapeutic treatment, various thermal procedures have proven themselves in the best way, which allow you to quickly relieve spasm and inflammation, normalize the state of the muscular frame, bones, and the entire musculoskeletal system. In second place in terms of efficiency are various electrical procedures, including electrophoresis, which allows you to deliver active substances directly to the inflammation focus, and also increases the electrical activity of muscles and nerve impulses. Due to this, muscle relaxation occurs, and the physiological state of the muscles normalizes. Also, electrophoresis can quickly relieve pain.

It is recommended to alternate physiotherapy with massage, manual therapy sessions. Particular attention should be paid directly to the area that is regularly exposed to seizures, as well as the opposite, symmetrically located area. In the course of therapy, an important role is assigned to segmental reflex massage.

Methods such as acupuncture (acupuncture), apitherapy (treatment with bee stings), hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) also work well. One of the most basic methods for relieving seizures and spasms is various means of physiotherapy exercises, without which it is impossible to overcome the seizures themselves, pain syndrome.

A standard lesson must necessarily include elements of active and passive gymnastics, proper breathing. Breathing helps to normalize the condition of the muscles, eliminates overstrain, spasm. Accordingly, seizures occur less and less, after which they completely cease to appear. It is imperative to use various complexes of breathing exercises, even better several times a day. They increase the oxygen content in the blood, normalize the level of metabolites, and also significantly reduce the content of metabolic by-products, toxins. Various procedures with water contribute to relaxing muscles and relieving excessive tension, spasms: swimming in the pool, aqua aerobics, Charcot's shower, hydromassage, jacuzzi.

Alternative treatment

Alternative treatments are usually used in conjunction with medication and physiotherapy. This allows you to achieve the highest possible efficiency. You can quickly relieve spasms and cramps with the help of ointments.

• Recipe number 1.

We heat a mixture of sunflower, corn and olive oils in a ratio of 1: 2: 1 to a semi-boil, then add a tablespoon of leaves of common nettle, elecampane, peppermint, burdock and black poplar to the heated oil. Mix all this thoroughly. We keep it under a closed lid for at least 2 hours, after which we apply it to the area that is most often subject to convulsions, rub until completely absorbed. The frequency of the procedure is approximately 3-4 times a day. The duration of treatment is at least a week.

• Recipe number 2.

Mix the peach seed oil, grape seed oil and sea buckthorn in a ratio of 1: 2: 0.5, add 2-3 drops of camphor, and then mix it all. Add 1 ml of concentrated extracts of lamb, dill, marjoram, pansies. We mix all this thoroughly, then insist for at least 2-3 hours, apply to the affected area, rub until completely absorbed. Can also be applied under a compress. The duration of therapy is at least 7-10 days.

• Recipe number 3.

Glycerin is taken as a basis. Add 2-3 ml of extracts of peony roots, periwinkle, black nightshade to it. We mix all this, insist for at least a day, apply to the damaged area three times a day. The duration of therapy should be at least 15 days.

• Recipe number 4.

In a mixture of castor and burdock oils in a 1: 2 ratio, add 2-3 drops of essential oils: veronica officinalis and thuja, as well as 20-30 grams of needles, cones and needles of coniferous trees.

Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment is relatively safe, causing much fewer side effects and complications than traditional drug therapy. However, herbs should not be taken uncontrollably either. First, you need to consult with a specialist who will tell you the optimal treatment regimen, duration.

It is recommended to take nettle as a decoction inside. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, thins the blood, thanks to which it quickly normalizes blood flow, relieves muscle spasm, improves its nutrition, accelerates the elimination of metabolites and toxins from the body. To prepare the broth, 2 tablespoons of the product are poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for an hour.

Also, for the treatment of seizures, it is recommended to use a juniper decoction as compresses, lotions. Apply in several layers, then tie for 2-3 hours. Healing usually occurs after 5-10 days. Also, juniper has proven itself quite well in baths for feet, hands, or other affected areas. It is also used as a remedy for complex therapeutic baths.

Decoctions from the leaves of Veronica officinalis are no less effective. Recommended for use as a poultice. They are done every day at the same time. Moisten gauze in a decoction, apply to the affected area. It is also recommended to cover the top with cellophane to create a "greenhouse effect". The course of treatment is 7-10 days.

Homeopathy

For the complex treatment of seizures, homeopathy is recommended. This is relatively safe, but it is important to take precautions. Otherwise, numerous side effects can occur. The most dangerous is the deterioration of the condition, progressive convulsions that occur not only at night, but also at night. Also, the duration of seizures, the frequency and frequency of their repetition may increase. The main preventive measure was and remains the use of drugs under the strict supervision of a physician, compliance with all recommendations.

• Recipe number 1.

To prepare the ointment, take butter and lard, mix in a 1: 1 ratio. Melt over low heat until completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Add about a tablespoon of celandine herb, tricolor violet, birch leaves, nettle, black currant to the resulting solution. All this is thoroughly stirred and allowed to solidify until a homogeneous mass is formed. Apply in a thin layer to the area that is most often subject to cramps, rub in until completely absorbed.

• Recipe number 2.

A well-proven lotion is used to lubricate the area that is subject to cramps. The lotion is prepared on the basis of alcohol. For cooking, take half a teaspoon of Veronica officinalis, plantain leaves, St. John's wort, chamomile flowers. All this is poured with alcohol, insisted for at least 3-4 days. Add 2 ml of camphor alcohol. Wipe the places that most often cramp, on average 2-3 times a day.

• Recipe number 3.

To apply to the area of the affected areas, use the following ointment: 1-2 teaspoons of chamomile flowers, yarrow herb, St. John's wort, marsh creeper, pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover. Insist until the broth becomes warm. After that, it is poured into pre-melted butter, used to lubricate the area that is subject to convulsions.

• Recipe number 4.

To prepare a lotion for lubricating areas with cramps, take a teaspoon of immortelle herb, common heather, white acacia leaves and mulberry, pour about 500 ml of vodka or pure alcohol, then add half a teaspoon of ground calamus root (powder). Then add 50 ml of vaseline oil. All this is insisted for at least 3-4 days, applied to the affected areas twice a day. The course of treatment is at least 28 days (full biochemical cycle).

• Recipe number 5.

For the preparation of the gel against seizures, as a basis, take in equal proportions a decoction of flax, wolf, club-shaped and kirkazon ordinary. Take about 2-3 tablespoons of each component, pour 50 ml of warmed petroleum jelly, add 10 grams of sea buckthorn oil, insist for at least 5 hours, apply to those places that are subject to cramps in small quantities twice a day, 28 days.

Surgery

In general, seizures are treated with traditional methods, but in some cases, for example, if they are the result of a congenital, genetic abnormality, progressive paralysis, surgery may be required. It is also advisable to resort to surgical treatment if the cause of the development of seizures is a tumor or thrombosis of the veins, especially if it relates to deep veins. Sometimes operations are done to treat arterial occlusion, some injuries, blockages of blood vessels, and nerve damage from various mechanical or chemical factors. For example, minimally invasive intravascular surgery may be required.

Sometimes the cause of the development of seizures is various brain damage, cerebrovascular accident, then neurosurgery may be required to restore brain activity, conduction and blood circulation. This contributes to the normalization of conduction, innervation and blood circulation.

But there are also cases in which the pathology is not subject to surgical treatment.