• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Adverticia

Advertising Strategies for Today's Media World

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Business Tips
    • Construction
    • Family
    • Fitness
    • Furniture
    • Health
    • Swimming Pools
    • Technology
    • The Arts
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact

How To Avoid Muscle Cramps

Last updated on July 3, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Muscle cramping, and specifically leg cramping, can be excruciatingly painful. The burning sensation that comes with involuntary contraction of muscles can attack a professional football player during a playoff game as strongly as an out-of-shape white-collar worker during a round of golf. It can also come on suddenly when a person is simply relaxing.

This kind of seemingly indiscriminating pain can be confusing, but it should not be ignored. Instead, you should try to ascertain its purpose and treat the issue. If the issue becomes persistent and the culprit remains a mystery, you should consult a health care professional.

Among the most likely reasons for leg cramping, these are the most plausible:

1. Dehydration

How are you doing on those 8 glasses of water you’re supposed to drink each day? While there is no real magic number, it’s true that water is important for your body’s metabolic health and general muscle and joint health. If you’re not nourishing your body with enough fluids, your muscles won’t be able to get rid of metabolites like lactic acid that are produced by muscle use. When the lactic acid builds up, your muscles respond by contracting on their own.

To reduce chances of dehydration, make sure you’re drinking enough water, particularly during workouts. Even if this isn’t the cause of your muscular pain, most people will benefit from taking in a bit more H2O.

2. Potassium Deficiency

Potassium is a mineral, or micronutrient, that helps your body retain the important balance between acid and water. When sodium and potassium become imbalanced, they disrupt the contraction patterns of muscular tissue.

Potassium deficiency can be counteracted by eating potassium-rich foods or by taking vitamin supplements or vitamins that help increase your body’s absorption of the potassium you do ingest. “A banana a day” is a good way to ensure that your potassium levels will be up to par. Other foods to consider are tomatoes, figs, bran flakes, wheat germ, currants, raisins, and sunflower seeds.

3. Blood Flow Issues

Blood flow to the legs is an issue that comes with constant inactivity and aging. Since blood carries oxygen to the muscles, when blood flow to an area of the body is reduced, the oxygen is not able to get to those areas to remove waste products from the tissue. The leg muscles respond by cramping up.

Blood flow to the legs can be increased by regular movement. If you have to sit for extended periods of time, be sure to take a break at least each hour to walk around a bit.

4. Muscle Overuse

Cramping in the calf muscles can result from weaker muscles higher in the leg. Basically, the lower leg muscles contract involuntarily because they are constantly overused due to having to compensate for the weaker buttocks or hamstring muscles.

The clear remedy for a weak buttocks or atrophied hamstrings is to build up those muscles so your calf muscles no longer feel the need to compensate.

PhysioDC of Washington, D.C.

Daniel Baumstark and his professional team of physical therapists operate a boutique physical therapy office in downtown Washington, D.C. From athletes to government officials, and from ballerinas to corporate executives, PhysioDC helps people recover, strengthen and return to healthy living. Visit their website at www.PhysioDC.com or call them at 202-223-8500.

Filed Under: Health

Additional Articles

surgical instruments in wire basket
How do They Get Those Surgical Instruments So Clean?
young adult woman jogging to lose weight and fat
A GOOD Fat to Have
worn out and weary ballerina girl resting on barre
Are Your Dancers Getting Enough Sleep?
young woman who lost significant fat
Tips on Losing Fat from a Certified Personal Trainer
healthy dieting and exercising but in vain
When Dieting & Exercise Don’t Work
value of a personal fitness trainer
When to Hire a Personal Trainer

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

18 − 18 =



Primary Sidebar

Lyon Financial
X10 Home Automation

Popular Articles

  • Reducing Painful Side Effects of Immobilization Boots
  • Stop Hiding Your Phone Number, Walmart.com
  • Dance Studio Management Software Review
  • Should I Use Ipe or Teak?: Two High End Lumbers Explained
  • How do They Get Those Surgical Instruments So Clean?
  • Are Your Shoulder Blades Crooked?
  • The Bedroom Source: Maxtrix Furniture for Kids
  • Septic Tank Pumping in Mooresville, NC
  • Top 3 Household Hazards for Kids
  • Getting Started with X10 Home Automation
  • Why a Swimming Pool Is a Great Addition to a Healthy Lifestyle
  • The Bedroom Source: A Unique Kids Furniture Store
  • Certified Personal Fitness Trainer in Harford County, MD
Lyon Financial

Recent Posts

  • How do They Get Those Surgical Instruments So Clean?
  • When Dancers Are Mean Girls: Causes of Catty Behaviors
  • Bedford Hills, NY Luxury Furniture Showroom
  • Should I Use Ipe or Teak? Two High End Lumbers Explained
  • The Bedroom Source: Maxtrix Furniture for Kids
  • 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • How Seasonal Demand Affects Lumber Pricing
  • Maxtrix Kids Furniture at The Bedroom Source
  • Control Your X10 Units from Your Smart Device with X10’s WiFi Unit
  • Will a Backyard Swimming Pool Make You Happy?
Lyon Financial

Reader Feedback

  • Elina Brooks on Choosing a Licensed Arborist – Quality Tree Service
  • Norie Rie on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Afton Jackson on Wood Flooring: Environmental & Economic Benefits
  • Zoey Bac on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Karen M. on 3 Options for Pool Heating

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap

Adverticia.com does not provide medical advice, treatment or diagnosis; content on this website should not be utilized for medical treatment or diagnosis. The information provided is intended for general consumer information and should not take the place as a substitute for professional medical advice.

FTC Compliance Disclaimer: Adverticia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.