What do you do when you experience muscle cramps in the middle of the night? Drink a glass of water, which is the first thing most people do to improve the fluid balance in the body. What if this doesn t help you? Then the next natural remedy in line is tying a cloth above the knee, which most of my friends also swear by. If you do that too, you must read this article, because, according to Dr Krishnakant Debri, Senior Physician, Mumbai, tying a cloth to get rid of muscle cramps is not the right thing to do. Wondering why? Here s what our expert has to say.
To get rid of muscle cramps, it is important to know the exact cause. In most cases, it is caused due to an electrolyte imbalance post exercise or workout or vitamin B12 deficiency. But in some cases, even oxygen deprivation and improper blood flow due to poor posture or sitting can cause muscle cramps. And if the night cramps are caused due to an interrupted blood flow or hypoxia, then tying a cloth is not a good idea. This is because, tying a cloth can hinder blood flow, which also inhibits the nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds, which can aid in treating the condition, thereby further worsening the condition. Also, as it is not possible to know the exact cause of muscle cramps, especially during the night, it is always better to avoid tying a cloth. Here are seven natural remedies to get rid of muscle cramps.
What is the right way to deal with muscle cramps?
If you have muscle cramps, then try stretching and massaging the muscle as it improves the blood circulation in the muscle.
Apply a heat pack on sore muscle as the heat causes muscle relaxation, improving your condition. You can follow it with an ice pack to counteract the pain. Here's how to get rid of muscle cramps in less than 10 minutes.
If this also fails to help you, then taking pain relievers is the next option. However, it is advised not to take one without your doctor s prescription and consult your doctor immediately if you have frequent muscle cramps.
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