Involuntary muscle contractions often occur even in he althy people. In this article, I would like to talk about what convulsions are: the causes and treatment of this problem.
Terminology
At the very beginning, you need to understand the concepts that will be actively used in this article. So, cramps are involuntary muscle contractions. Often accompanied by pain or discomfort. And if at first glance this problem does not seem terrible, convulsions must be fought. After all, they are often a symptom of a certain disease. In addition, they also negatively affect the quality of human life. It is also worth mentioning that there are several types of seizures:
- Episodic, or random (partial). Occurs irregularly, does not pose a threat to he alth. At the same time, the human consciousness is not turned off.
- Tonic-clonic convulsions. Accompanied by loss of consciousness. In this case, a person may foam from the mouth during a seizure. Subspecies: myoclonic seizures, which occur most often in children and adolescents. In this case, the processthe whole body is involved. This type of seizure is mainly a symptom of a disease such as epilepsy.
Causes of spontaneous seizures
So, spontaneous convulsions: causes and treatment. First of all, I want to talk about why they can occur:
- Hypothermia. The most common reason. Most often, such cramps occur at the time of swimming in cold water.
- Uncomfortable position. If a person is in an uncomfortable position for a long time, his muscles can "numb" (the nerve channel of the muscle is clamped). In this case, you can cope with the problem with the help of the simplest massage or kneading.
- Spontaneous seizures are quite common in people who smoke heavily or drink coffee frequently. For them, muscle twitching is not uncommon. You can easily cope with the problem - just stop taking nicotine and caffeine.
Other reasons
Another reason for seizures? Causes and treatment of these symptoms - this will be discussed later.
- Lack of vitamins: fat soluble (D, E), water soluble (B2 and B6).
- Micronutrient deficiency. If there is a lack of potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium in the human body, this can cause frequent seizures. This is especially true for pregnant women.
- Another cause of seizures: dietary deficiencies in the amino acid taurine.
- Dehydration can also cause seizures.
- When it comes to smallchildren (newborns), their seizures occur mainly at high body temperature.
- Twitching muscles may be caused by insufficient blood supply.
- Exercising too much can also cause cramps.
- Well, and often muscle contractions are an accompanying symptom of a certain disease. For example, epilepsy, infectious or nervous diseases.
Body spasms
Consider further the topic - convulsions: causes and treatment. So, I want to stop a little on the contractions of the muscles of the whole body. Doctors say that in this case, certain diseases are the cause of seizures:
- Brain damage: tumors, cysts.
- Infectious diseases.
- Epileptic seizures.
- Problems with the work of the gastrointestinal tract (most often - poisoning).
In this case, convulsions occur as a result of too much tension in the nerve cells of the brain. It is possible to diagnose the onset of an attack by certain indicators (change in sensations) or as a result of electroencephalography. After an attack, the patient basically always falls asleep, and usually does not remember anything from what happened. For treatment, the patient needs to seek help from a neurologist.
Treatment and relief for whole body cramps
How can the patient help himself in this case? Unfortunately not. During such attacks, it is necessary that a person be surrounded by people who can provide a certainhelp. If an epileptic seizure begins, the patient must be properly laid: on his side or face down. At the same time, everything must be done so that the patient receives air without problems (since attacks are often accompanied by a short-term cessation of breathing). It is also believed that in moments of body convulsions, a person does not control himself and can “swallow” his tongue. To avoid this, a stick or something hard should be inserted into the patient's teeth, which will not allow the mouth to close. What medications can be prescribed for these types of seizures?
- The drug "Phenobarbital", which is released exclusively by prescription. It is an anticonvulsant drug that also calms the nervous system and has a hypnotic effect.
- Also, doctors often prescribe the drug "Carbamazepine" in such cases. An excellent tool in the fight against epileptic seizures. However, it is also not available without a doctor's prescription.
Hand cramps
It was the turn to consider such a problem as hand cramps. The causes, treatment of this problem - this will be discussed now. First of all, it should be said that cramps in the hands most often occur in older people. Why?
- Lack of important trace elements in the body: potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is these substances that provide the supply of nerve impulses to muscle fibers.
- Lack of fluid in the body.
- Frequent stress.
- Impaired circulation in the hands.
- Long-term use of certain medications,especially diuretics.
Treatment for hand cramps
So, hand cramps: causes, treatment of this problem. It is worth saying that in this case a person does not lose consciousness and therefore can help himself. Stroking and light hand massage, rubbing will be useful. If possible, it is better that another person (a relative, a doctor) does this. If the attacks are localized in one area of the arm, they can be prevented by periodically massaging this area of the body (this will improve blood circulation in the arm). And, of course, in this case, taking a vitamin-mineral complex will be useful.
Legs cramps
Now I want to consider leg cramps in more detail: the causes and treatment of this problem. First of all, I would like to say that in the legs it is the calf muscle that most often reduces. The reasons for this may be as follows:
- Varicose veins, i.e. circulatory disorders in the legs.
- Flat feet can also cause seizures.
- Physical overload can cause leg cramps.
- As mentioned above, deficiencies in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium can cause leg cramps.
- The reason may also be disruption of the endocrine system.
Treatment
Let's look at leg cramps further: causes and treatment. To get rid of this problem, you first need to know the source of its occurrence. If this is a symptom of a certaindiseases, it is necessary to treat it. If convulsions occur from time to time, in this case it is necessary to massage and rub the legs at the place of twitching (if this is a varicose vein, it is strictly forbidden to do this, in which case you can lightly bandage your legs before going to bed). A vitamin-mineral complex and a reduction in physical exertion on the leg will also be useful.
Night leg twitch
Quite often a person has nocturnal leg cramps. The causes, treatment of this problem - this will be discussed now. At the very beginning, it must be said that one of the main causes of this problem is precisely the deficiency in the body of magnesium and calcium. Also, night cramps can occur as a result of daytime leg overloads. Similar phenomena often disturb smokers and avid coffee drinkers.
Get rid of the problem
We consider further night leg cramps: causes, treatment. How can you get rid of this problem? So, there is no need to use any medicines here. You just need to find out the cause of the problem and deal with it. That is, if a person smokes, it is necessary to give up nicotine. If the cause is exorbitant physical activity, it is necessary to make sure that the legs are less overloaded.
Self-help for night cramps
What else is important to know if a person suffers from leg cramps at night? It is useful for everyone to know the causes, treatment for such symptoms. However, you also need to know how you can give yourself first aid.during an unpleasant and painful muscle contraction.
- If the leg is “brought together”, at the very beginning you need to sit in bed, lower your legs to the floor. It is good to put them on a cool surface. This will help improve blood circulation.
- If the pain during a cramp is severe, the leg should be pinched or pricked.
- Throughout the cramp, the leg needs to be massaged, rubbed, patted. This will help restore normal circulation.
- The place of cramps can also be anointed with apple cider vinegar, alcohol or vodka. Warming ointments also work well.
Prevention of leg cramps
We have already said that a fairly common phenomenon is leg muscle cramps. Causes, treatment of the problem - this is also discussed above in full. However, to avoid this, it is best to know and apply preventive measures. What will be relevant in this case?
- Comfortable shoes are important. It is also good if it is made from natural materials.
- Excessive stress on the legs should be avoided.
- It is necessary to reduce the consumption of coffee and sugar as much as possible. Completely give up nicotine and alcohol.
- Be sure to change the diet. Foods should be rich in potassium, magnesium, B vitamins.
- An excellent prophylactic is regular foot massage. To do this, you can either turn to professionals, or simply massage and rub your feet before going to bed.
- Well, another useful tool - contrast bathsfor legs.
Traditional medicine
What to do if a person is worried about muscle cramps? Causes, drug treatment - this information is known. However, with this problem, you can also seek advice from traditional medicine.
- Carnation. Seizures can be controlled by taking about 500 mg of sugared cloves daily.
- You can also rub mustard oil on the cramp.
- Lemon will help to cope with leg cramps. A slice of lemon should be rubbed on the feet daily for two weeks. After the feet are completely dry, you can put on socks. This remedy works great if toe cramps are not uncommon (reasons and treatment for this problem are the same as for general leg cramps).
- Even if you just take a tablespoon of honey daily before meals, you can get rid of cramps.
