Why does the legs move? This question worries many people today, as adults and children face such a problem. In our material, we will look at what could be the problem, which doctors to turn to and how is the treatment in this case.
Causes of seizures
There are many reasons that can lead to convulsions: sleep disturbance, unhealthy diet, lack of the right amount of trace elements. But the main reason is the lack of magnesium in the body. Most often this is due to poor nutrition, resulting in deterioration of the absorption of this element.
Usually this is observed when consuming large amounts of coffee, alcohol, sweets.
As a result, the human body, feeling the lack of magnesium, begins to take it from the bones and muscles.
To accurately determine whether this is the main reason, you need to remember about such symptoms of magnesium deficiency as:
- very fast fatigue;
- sweating at night;
- severe irritability;
- numbness of arms and legs.
In addition, there are other factors that can cause seizures. Experts identify the following factors:
Low blood glucose levels. Most often, this problem occurs with diabetes, if the patient ignores the advice of physicians.- Diseases of the thyroid gland.
- Lack of vitamin B6.
- Leg diseases, such as varicose veins or thrombophlebitis.
- Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine.
- Physical load on the legs, for example, with long-term football.
- Renal failure.
- Increased estrogen in the blood, leading to hormonal imbalance.
- Circulatory disorders in the limbs (chronic).
- Psycho-emotional background disorders.
- Sleep problems, chronic fatigue.
Low blood glucose levels. Most often, this problem occurs with diabetes, if the patient ignores the advice of physicians.Moreover, the problems listed above can occur for anyone, regardless of gender, age, since they are the result of a not very healthy lifestyle. For example, such factors as:
- Self-treatment of complex diseases that are infectious.
- Regular stress.
- Wrong diet, such as the habit of eating on the go, fast food.
- Wearing high heels, which can lead to varicose veins.
What could be the reason for pregnant women
Pregnant women often have such a problem. And usually the appearance of seizures is not associated with any dangerous disease. The main reasons for the period of carrying a child include:
- Imbalance of vitamins and microelements or their lack. This is usually associated with improper nutrition, the use of diuretics. But also the problem may be related to the rapid growth of the child.
- Due to anemia, which can be caused, for example, by bleeding.
- Muscle dehydration or lack of oxygen.
- Hypoglycemia.
- The compression of the inferior vena cava, which usually happens when a woman is lying - presses the uterus. Because of this, blood circulation in the legs may be impaired, which leads to convulsions.
- Venous insufficiency. The reasons are an increase in weight or blood volume, low tone.
It is worth noting that eclampsia can develop in pregnant women, when blood pressure rises, edemas appear, protein is found in the urine. The most dangerous thing here is the occurrence of seizures that can cause miscarriage. Because it is so important to monitor your condition.
Seizures at night in children and their causes
Why reduces the legs in children? Most often it is associated with active growth. It is worth noting that the little ones cannot report their problem, they usually cry, and in this case, the piercing cry is sharp.
Other causes of seizures include:
- hypothermia of the legs;
- flat feet;
- lack of trace elements such as magnesium and potassium;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
If the problem is in flat feet or lack of any trace elements, then the legs will be constantly, not one-time.
What to do if legs are twitching
There are several clear recommendations from doctors that will help you solve this problem. Let's consider the most effective:
- Pull on the toe of the foot, return to its original position, then immediately to yourself.
- Stand on your feet, take 2-3 steps, let it and
- hurts you. At this point, the blood flow in the limbs will increase, so that the muscles relax.
- Spend a light massage, heading from the "heart" cramps to the periphery.
- Apply a warming ointment to the skin, rub in a massage motion.
- Strongly pinch the stiff leg.
Most often, one of these methods helps alleviate unpleasant symptoms. And in order to speed up the outflow of blood from the legs, you should take a recumbent position, slightly raising the legs. This will avoid repeated seizures.
Diagnosis, treatment, prevention
If the legs are constantly twitching, and the listed tips do not help to get rid of unpleasant sensations, this means that it is time to see a doctor.
After that, most likely, you will be referred for consultation to other specialists - a neuropathologist or an endocrinologist (everything depends on the history of diseases, symptoms).
Only after such a complete examination, will doctors prescribe treatment for the disease or the problem that caused the legs to contract. If it is successful, then over time the cramps will pass completely.
If the doctor does not detect diseases or pathological changes, he will give practical recommendations that will help to cope with the problem. These include:
- Eating at least five times in small portions, you can try to use split meals.
- The main all dishes must be complex carbohydrates. Also in the diet should be fat, for example, a small piece of salmon or at least 50 grams of butter daily.
- Enter into the diet of nuts, dried apricots, dairy products, carrots, greens.
- Do not forget about light exercise, lead a healthy life. The only caveat - do not need to give up heavy loads.
- The bed should be comfortable, and it is important that the lower limbs are slightly raised above the axis of the body.
- In the evenings, make baths with the addition of sea salt (3 tablespoons per 5 liters of water). This procedure is very relaxing.
- Before going to bed, rub your feet with a warming ointment.
If you previously had problems with venous insufficiency, it is mandatory to use compression underwear. Moreover, it should be selected only by a doctor, based on the size.
If you identify flatfoot, you should begin to treat it, for example, special orthopedic shoes are suitable for this. You should also abandon the heel above 5 cm, it should also be sustainable.
And do not forget about taking vitamin-mineral complexes, for example, Asparkam or Calcium-D3-Nicomed. But these drugs should also be prescribed by a doctor.
Now you know why legs are cramping, what diseases and problems can cause. The main thing to remember is that you shouldn’t delay your visit to the doctor if the ambulance methods do not help you, especially pregnant girls, which will avoid serious consequences.
