Leg cramps occur due to a quick and painful contraction of a muscle in the leg, being more common in the calf or belly of the leg.
In most cases, cramps are not serious, being caused due to lack of water in the muscle or due to the practice of intense physical exercise, not requiring medical treatment and can be avoided with some home care.
Main causes of leg cramps
The main causes of leg cramps include:
- Lack of oxygen in the muscle or excess of lactic acid, which is common during physical activity;
- Lack of minerals in the body like magnesium, calcium or sodium, especially when this lack occurs at night during sleep
- Prolonged use of diuretic medicines that promote the elimination of minerals from the body;
- Some diseases like diabetes or diseases in the liver.
In addition, the onset of cramps is also common during pregnancy due to the increase in size and weight of the uterus that occurs, which causes a pull in the muscles of the pregnant woman's abdomen.
Home treatment
Home treatments to prevent cramps are made from juices, which gather the minerals needed to prevent cramp. So, some recommended juices include:
1. Apple juice with ginger
Apple juice with ginger and kiwi avoids cramps when taken daily, and to prepare it you need:
Ingredients:
- 1 apple
- 1 kiwi
- Approximately 1 cm ginger
Method of preparation:
To prepare the juice should beat all the ingredients in the blender by adding a little water if you find it necessary. This juice should be taken soon after, preferably in the morning.
2. Banana juice with oats and Brazil nuts
The banana juice with oats and parsnips is rich in magnesium, calcium and potassium, which makes it great for preventing cramps. To prepare you need:
Ingredients:
- 1 Banana
- 1 Chestnut
- 3 tablespoons oats
Method of preparation:
To prepare the juice should beat all the ingredients in the blender by adding a little water if you find it necessary. This juice should be taken soon after its preparation, preferably in the morning.
Preventing cramps
A good natural remedy to prevent cramp is to invest in food, and it is recommended to invest in the consumption of foods rich in minerals such as coconut water, cereals and bananas daily. Here's what food you should bet to effectively prevent cramp by watching our nutritionist's video:
In addition, you should also invest in foods rich in thiamin such as brown rice, parsnips, brewer's yeast, peanuts and oats as they cure cramps and also prevent the onset of muscle pain. See other options in Cibra: foods that heal.
If cramps are being triggered by physical activity, it is recommended that you slow down your exercise, and bet on stretching, and be advised to stretch before and after practicing physical activity. Also, when you have a cramp you should always try to stretch your leg by massaging the affected area, and if the pain is too intense you can put a hot water bottle to help relax and relieve pain in the muscle.
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