How Foot Cramps are caused and how you can relieve them
If you've ever been surprised with the sharp, sudden pain
of a foot cramp, you know how jarring they can be. While many different
things can cause foot cramps, it's important to know that there
is relief available. Foot cramps do not have to disturb your daily
activities if you know how they are caused.
How are foot cramps caused?
Foot cramps have many causes. Some of the most common causes for
foot cramps are:
- Stress or fatigue in the foot – An overworked foot is often
susceptible to foot cramps.
- Poor circulation – Foot cramp is caused by lack of oxygen
being carried to the foot.
- Lack of potassium – This important mineral, found in salt,
helps regulate body chemistry and keep you foot cramp free.
- Dehydration – Lack of water in the muscles contribute to
foot cramps.
- Changing hormone levels – Foot cramps may occur while muscle
tissue adjusts to these changes.
- Pinched nerves – Caused when the electrical impulse from
the brain cannot reach the muscle, this can cause foot cramps,
numbness and other symptoms.
- Alcohol or tobacco use – Since both lend to dehydration,
poor circulation and toxicity, these are a triple threat for foot
cramps.
- Nutritional deficiency – A healthy diet, complete with
all essential nutrients can keep muscles and nerves functioning
normally.
- Environmental toxicity – Certain “poisons” we
encounter (via factories, contaminated water, etc.) may play a
role in increased foot cramps.
- Chemical sensitivity – Some prescriptions may change the
conditions in the body and make foot cramps more likely.
Treating foot cramps
No matter what the cause of a foot cramp, there's ways to
relieve the pain. Here are some tips for treating foot cramps:
- Slowly pull the foot away from the cramping position and hold
it there until the foot cramp disappears.Try massaging the foot
for five to 10 minutes until the foot cramp feels better.
- Take a dose of aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve a foot cramp
- Elevate your foot to the level of your waist.
- If the foot cramp comes from an athletic injury, apply an ice
pack around the foot cramp, no directly on it.
- Use moist heat on the foot cramp three times a day if cramping
is chronic
- Try a warm foot soak
- Wrap the foot in an elastic bandage, if necessary
- Stay off your foot and give the foot cramp a chance to heal.
- See a doctor about chronic and persistent foot cramps.
|
