Is leg cramps during sleep due to calcium deficiency? How to relieve it?

First of all, calcium deficiency is a common cause of leg cramps. This is because when the calcium concentration in the blood is low, the muscles become excited, contracted, and spasmed.

But there are many other possibilities, such as -

External forces and fatigue

When people are tired, do not get enough rest, or rest too much, their blood circulation slows down, causing more metabolic products (such as lactic acid) to accumulate in the muscles, which stimulates the muscles and causes muscle cramps.

Cold stimulation

When the weather is cold, or when you sleep with the air conditioner on in the summer, if you don’t cover yourself with a blanket at night, your muscles will contract strongly due to the stimulation of the cold, and cramps will occur.

The elderly are prone to calcium deficiency and have weak metabolic capacity. If they are exposed to cold or local pressure, they are prone to cramps (pregnant women also have similar problems).

Improper sleeping posture

For example, lying on your back or stomach for a long time will cause certain calf muscles to be in an absolutely relaxed and static state for a long time, causing "passive contracture" of the muscles.

In addition, diseases such as lower limb vascular disease and lumbar disc herniation may also cause leg cramps.

When your calf cramps, you can immediately reach out and grab the toes on that side of the cramp, or put your foot against a wall, lift your toes as high as possible, push your heels down as far as possible, and straighten your knee joint at the same time to relieve the cramp.

Tips: Tips to prevent cramps

① Soak your feet in warm water at about 40 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes before going to bed to promote blood circulation in the feet and relax the muscles and activate blood circulation.

② In summer, do not blow air conditioners or fans directly at your body; in winter, pay attention to keeping your calves warm.

③If middle-aged and elderly people suffer from osteoporosis, they should eat more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as milk, dried fish, kelp, soy products, etc.

④ Avoid smoking, drinking or strong tea, otherwise it will accelerate the loss of calcium in the body.