Cramping Your Style: Causes Of Foot Cramps
Foot cramps make your muscles feel tense and tight. Sometimes they may be slight. Other times they are intense, from a few seconds to fifteen minutes and more extended. Foot cramps are common to people of all ages, children, and adults. Below are the causes.
Causes of Foot Cramps.
Staying inactive for so long makes feet muscles cramp. Sitting in the same position may also trigger food cramps because nerves get compressed and blood flow into the feet is not sufficient. Your sleep is not safe, too. You may experience foot cramps in your sleep, depending on your sleeping position.
Some positions may interfere with blood circulation and affect the nerves. You can prevent this by ensuring you stay active, avoid sitting in one place for long, stay healthy, and keep stretching your muscles, especially before going to bed.
Low Levels of Potassium in the Body.
If potassium level in the body drops beyond three millimoles per liter, it results in Hypokalemia. Hypokalemia causes weakness and cramping in muscles. Potassium supports body functions by regulating the contraction of muscles and cell membranes maintenance.
During exercise, potassium released from tissues helps dilate blood vessels to increase the circulation of blood in muscles. Potassium is tested in both blood and urine. The foods that boost potassium nutrients in the body include potatoes, bananas, and you can also use potassium supplements.
Dehydration.
Lack of enough water in the body causes your body tissues and organs to malfunction or with difficulty. Lousy breath, lack of urination, skin drying, fever, dry mouth, and headaches are signs of a dehydrated body.
Dehydration results from diarrhea, overheating, exercising, and vomiting. Dehydration drains body fluids, salts, and minerals essential to the body for functioning. As a result, you may experience feet cramping, especially during the night. To prevent this, drink a lot of water, 11-15 cups for an adult.
Pregnancy.
Although foot cramps are common during pregnancy due to increased demand for calcium in the body, some measures and guidance are necessary. Stretch your feet and elevate the legs to do away with the cramps.
Ensure you remain physically active, especially in activities involving the legs, take hot and warm showers, and massage. Increase calcium intake during this time. The foot cramps may disappear after delivery.
Footwear.
Tight shoes exert more pressure on the feet and toes, leading to insufficient blood flow. Wearing high heeled shoes for a long also makes the feet uncomfortable and numb due to the less blood flowing in the feet. If the circulation of blood in the feet is limited, it causes cramping of the muscles. Stick to well-fitted shoes and wear heels for shorter periods.
Side Effects of Medication.
Some diseases and their medications cause foot cramps as a side effect. Some of them are diuretics, blood pressure and asthma medications, statins, dialysis procedures, liver and kidney damage, anemia, and diabetes.