Are calf cramps caused by calcium deficiency? Doctor: Be careful, it may be a precursor to these serious diseases!

In daily life

Calf cramps are common

Almost everyone has had this experience.

But few people take it seriously

Some people think they are calcium deficient.

But is this really the case?

Leg cramps are not just a matter of calcium deficiency

01

Calcium deficiency

Studies have shown that calcium deficiency can cause cramps. Under normal circumstances, calcium ions can keep muscles normally excited. If calcium ions are lacking, muscles will become restless and will spasm, i.e. cramps, with just a little stimulation.

This situation is usually more common among the elderly. As they age, their ability to absorb calcium will decrease, and more calcium will be lost, which can easily cause cramps. In addition, if you are picky about food, have vitamin D3 deficiency, liver and kidney disease, or take diuretics for a long time, it may cause calcium deficiency, which in turn causes cramps.

Image source: Gaoding Design

02

Improper exercise

It is easy to sweat during exercise, which leads to a large loss of water and electrolytes in the body. Long-term exercise will make muscles "fatigued", consume a large amount of glycogen in the body, and produce metabolites such as creatine and lactic acid, which may eventually induce cramps. In addition, if you do not do enough preparation before exercise, you will not be able to fully adjust your muscles and improve the flexibility of your joints, which is likely to cause muscle strain and cramps.

Image source: Gaoding Design

03

Cold stimulation

This is one of the common causes of cramps. When the brain receives the cold, muscles throughout the body will automatically contract to generate heat to warm the body, but acidic metabolites will also be produced due to the cold, thus inducing cramps.

Image source: Gaoding Design

04

Limb compression

If you maintain a certain posture for a long time, it can easily cause venous compression, affect blood circulation in the lower limbs, reduce metabolic capacity, and accumulate metabolites in the muscles. Over time, it will cause calf muscle cramps.

Calf cramps may be a sign of disease

In addition to the 4 common causes mentioned above, there are 3 hidden diseases that can also cause calf cramps.

01

Lumbar disease

Lumbar disc herniation is generally caused by compression of nerves by the nucleus pulposus, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as numbness and pain in the lower limbs. According to clinical studies, the incidence of leg cramps in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation is as high as 70%.

Image source: Gaoding Design

02

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

If the elderly often have cramps, in addition to taking calcium supplements, they should also pay attention to cardiovascular problems, especially those who are obese or have been diagnosed with "three highs". Furthermore, brain diseases should also be watched out for, such as stroke, epilepsy, etc., which can also induce cramps.

Image source: Gaoding Design

03

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis of the lower limbs is narrow or occluded, and leg cramps often occur during exercise. If the elderly suffer from arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs, due to obstructed blood circulation, metabolites cannot be discharged through the blood. Metabolites accumulate to a certain extent, which will stimulate muscle contraction and cause leg pain and cramps.

How to prevent leg cramps?

Note the following points:

01

Pay attention to calcium and vitamin D supplementation

You can take calcium tablets, or you can consume foods rich in calcium such as dried shrimps, milk, and soy products.

02

Increase physical exercise

Before exercising, you should do sufficient warm-up exercises to get your body moving and the blood circulation in your lower limbs smooth before participating in various intense sports or competitions, which can effectively avoid leg cramps.

03

Keep warm

Do not expose local muscles to cold stimulation.

04

Timely treatment of related diseases

People with cardiovascular disease should seek timely treatment to avoid poor blood circulation in the lower limb blood vessels.

05

Drink less alcohol

Studies have found that alcohol consumption is closely related to nocturnal leg cramps in patients over 60 years old, and reducing alcohol consumption can help prevent the occurrence of cramps.

Overall

There are many reasons why leg cramps occur

If you feel that you often have leg cramps

For example, it happens two or three times in a month.

When pain relief takes longer

Seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment