5 health issues that cause muscle cramps

Muscle cramps are a common problem with a lot of potential causes. But no matter what’s causing your muscle cramps, regular cramping isn’t something you should ignore. It’s your body’s way of telling you something’s not right…

It’s not always easy to get to the bottom of mysterious muscle cramps. But if you pay attention to the signs you can most likely narrow it down to one of six common causes of cramping:

1. You’re overworking your muscles

If you’re exercising extra hard, you could end up with muscle cramps. These type of muscle cramps are pretty easy to spot because they usually happen after a vigorous workout. The best way to prevent cramps caused by overworked muscles is to tone down you exercise routine and make sure to stretch before you work out.

You also may have strained a muscle. A strain happens when you’ve stretched your muscle too far. And muscle cramping is one sign of a serious strain.

Read: 13+ natural ways to ease leg cramps

2. You’re dehydrated

Dehydration is probably the most common cause of muscle cramping. That’s because low water levels can lead to low sodium levels. When you’re muscle isn’t getting the sodium it needs, it starts cramping.

Of course, there is an easy fix for this… stay well hydrated.

Read: 4 surprising dehydration danger signs

3. You have a compressed nerve

If the nerves in your spine are compressed, you can experience cramps in your legs. You can tell if this is the cause of cramping, because the pain gets worse the longer you walk. The pain should also improve a bit if you walk with your back in a slightly flexed position, like you would if you were pushing a shopping cart.

Read: 3 steps to natural nerve pain relief

4. You have poor blood circulation

If your legs aren’t getting enough blood, it’s likely you’ll experience some painful cramping. If poor blood circulation is the cause of your cramping, you’ll feel more pain while you’re exercising. When you stop exercising, the cramps should get better.

You can also boost your circulation with this veggie juice.

Read: This ‘hero’ may save you from poor circulation

5. You have a mineral deficiency

Missing minerals are a likely culprit if you’re having mysterious muscle cramps. Some mineral deficiencies that can cause muscle cramps are potassium, calcium and magnesium deficiencies.

If you suspect one of these deficiencies is at the root of your constant cramping, you can get a simple blood test to know for sure.

Read: 5 Common signs of nutrient deficiencies (infographic)

Hopefully, you can finally get the bottom of your cramping muscles. Once you do, you’re one step closer to a permanent solution for this pesky problem. In the meantime, if you’re looking for immediate relief from a painful muscle cramp you can try:

• Stretching. It will help get blood flowing to the muscle. Get up and stretch this way to feel great!
• Essential oils. Clove oil and wintergreen oil can ease a cramping muscle if you apply them directly to the site. They both have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Peppermint oil is also a good choice.
• A heating pad. Heat can also increase blood flow to the site. A heating pad is even more effective if you alternate it with an ice pack.
• Massage. If you apply light pressure to the cramped muscle, you can improve blood flow and loosen up the tight muscle.
• Vitamin E. Taking vitamin E can improve the health of your arteries and enhance blood flow to your muscles, which makes muscle cramps much less likely — so can beet root juice.

Sources:

1. Muscle Cramp — The Mayo Clinic
2. 11 Best Home Remedies For Muscle Cramps — Organic Facts

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