You’re sleeping soundly when suddenly, a brutal pain pulls you out of bed. A cramp, again! Calf, foot or thigh, no matter the area concerned: the night turns into a real ordeal. What if this suffering hides causes that are often unknown but easy to correct? A little hint: it’s not just a question of age or fatigue. Stay with us, we’ll explain everything to you!
Night cramps: unpredictable pain
Night cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions, often located in the legs. The pain can be so severe that you wake up with a start, and it can take several minutes for it to go away. A real sleep disruptor! And this phenomenon affects many people, regardless of their age.
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Why do we have cramps at night?
If you thought cramps only appeared when you didn’t exercise or get old, think again. Here are the frequently underestimated causes:
Insufficient hydration: Not drinking enough during the day disrupts the balance of essential minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium), which are essential for good muscle relaxation.
Sedentary lifestyle: Spending your days sitting cross-legged or not moving, promotes muscle stiffness. By dint of it, the muscles end up protesting!
Poorly prepared physical activity: Exercising without warming up or stretching leads to muscle fatigue that can occur at night.
Unsuitable sleeping positions: Sleeping with your feet pointing down (like a ballet dancer) shortens the calf muscles… and can cause a cramp at 3 a.m.
Age-related changes: After the age of 50, muscles gradually lose tone, which promotes the appearance of cramps.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women experience increased pressure on the legs, which can exacerbate these muscle spasms.
Certain drug treatments: Diuretics or beta-blockers can change the mineral balance of the body, sometimes leading to cramps.
5 natural reflexes to say goodbye to night cramps
The good news is that it is quite possible to prevent these night pains without medication, simply by adopting good habits.
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