Night cramps

What is the night cramp: most of the people have suffered the pain in the leg at the night which generally occurs when you are sleeping. The night cramp is really painful. A night cramp is a pain that generally occurs in the night which is due to the muscle spasm when a muscle contacts too hard. Leg cramps usually occur at the time of resting and most commonly at night when in bed that is why it is called the night cramps. This type of cramps normally occurs in the calf muscles, below and behind a knee. The small muscles of the feet are sometimes affected. This pain usually lasts a few minutes. In some cases it lasts just seconds, but in some cases it can last up to 10 minutes. (They are often called night cramps.) They may wake you from sleep. It can become a distressing condition if your sleep is regularly disturbed. The muscle can stay tendered for up to 24 hours after the night cramp.

What is the cause of the leg cramps: the causes vary in each and every case of the night cramps. The real cause of the night cramps is not known in most of the cases. According to one theory is that cramps happen when a muscle, already in a shortened position is stimulated to contract. As the muscle is already shortened, to contract further can cause the leg muscle to go into spasm and cause the night cramp. This commonly happens at night in bed as the natural position we sleep in is with the knees slightly bent or flexed. Sometimes also we sleep with the feet pointing slightly downwards. In this position the calf muscle is comparatively abridged and prone to cramps. There are many other reasons by which the cramps can be caused some of them are Over-exertion of muscles, dehydration, disorders of nerves, Excess alcohol etc.

What is the cure for a leg cramp: the most effective cure is the stretching and massaging the affected muscle. It also relieves the pain in an attack of cramp. Most night cramps soon relieve off. Painkillers are not usually helpful for a sudden attack of cramp. But you can take some painkillers according to your needs.

Recommended Reading:

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