Calf cramps are sudden muscle cramps in the calf. They are characterized by a violent and very painful contraction of the calf muscles. Calf cramps are often caused by an imbalance of fluids and minerals in the body. There is often a magnesium deficiency. As a rule, the cramps can be quickly relieved by carefully stretching the affected muscle.
Here you will find further information and selected specialists for calf cramps.
In a calf cramp, a single muscle or an entire muscle group in the calves suddenly contracts painfully and cramps up. Instead of immediately relaxing again, the affected calf muscles become noticeably stiff. They remain in this rigid, painful state for several seconds to minutes before they usually relax again on their own.
Although calf cramps are very painful, they are generally harmless.
In principle, there are three different types of calf cramp:
Calf cramps are not uncommon. Around 40 percent of Germans suffer from them from time to time in the course of their lives.
are more frequently affected.
The painful muscle cramps occur particularly often in the summer months and during a resting phase at night.
Calf cramps often occur at night © Creative Cat Studio | AdobeStock
Calf cramps usually occur without a recognizable cause. However, if causes for the occurrence of muscle cramps can be identified, these are usually harmless.
One of the most common causes of calf cramps is an imbalance of fluids and minerals in the body. This can be caused by, among other things
come about. The body also loses important minerals such as magnesium, calcium and table salt along with the fluid. This makes the calf muscles more susceptible to cramps.
A lack of magnesium in particular is often blamed for calf cramps. Magnesium deficiency can be triggered by hormonal and metabolic changes during pregnancy, among other things.
Fatigue and physical overexertion at work or during sport can also cause calf cramps. This is the case, for example, when untrained muscles are put under too much strain. Other possible causes are the long-term use of certain medications and the consumption of tobacco and alcohol.
In rare cases, calf cramps can also have pathological causes. They then occur as a side effect of other underlying illnesses. These include in particular
Calf cramps cause the muscles in the calf to contract violently. This manifests itself as a knife-like pain in the calf and hardening of the calf muscles. It usually takes several seconds to several minutes for the affected calf muscles to relax again on their own. Then the pain also subsides.
Calf cramps usually occur on one side and develop suddenly and without warning. Muscle cramps in the calf area occur very frequently and are particularly intense, especially during the night-time resting phase. These nocturnal muscle cramps can be so severe that they disrupt the entire sleep rhythm.
The acute pain subsides when the muscles relax. However, muscle pain and tension can persist for a while after particularly severe calf cramps. They are similar to sore muscles.
To clarify what causes the cramps, the doctor will ask in which situations the muscle cramps occur. He will then ask the person affected
After this medical history interview, various physical examinations can be carried out. These serve to identify the exact cause of the calf cramps. If other illnesses are the cause of the calf cramps, they must be diagnosed and treated.
This includes blood tests to determine
Targeted nerve function tests and imaging procedures can also be used.
Acute calf cramps can usually be relieved quickly by carefully stretching the affected calf muscle. There are two helpful exercises for this:
This can also help,
If the calf cramps are due to a magnesium deficiency, magnesium supplements can provide relief. Cramps can also be alleviated with quinine preparations. These have an antispasmodic and fast-acting effect. They also prevent strong nerve impulses from the brain being transmitted to the calf muscle and triggering painful calf cramps there.
However, always discuss the use of medication with your doctor.
If calf cramps are caused by an illness , this must be treated. If the calf cramps have no pathological causes, it is sufficient to observe a few rules of conduct to prevent them.
The following are recommended to prevent calf cramps
are recommended. Also make sure you eat a balanced diet rich in magnesium. This includes wholemeal products, plenty of fruit and vegetables and adequate fluid intake.
On the other hand, refrain from
If you regularly suffer from muscle cramps in your calves, you should definitely see a doctor. The cause should then be clarified.
A visit to the doctor is also advisable if the calf cramps
And even if the following points apply to you, a visit to the doctor is urgently recommended:
