Painful, that cramp in your calf. With difficulty you manage to lift yourself out of bed to stretch your leg. What causes a cramp in your calf?
There are a few factors that can trigger nighttime muscle cramps:Deficiency of magnesium and calcium can cause muscle cramps. It can also be a disturbance of your mineral balance, which can arise, for example, if you take certain medicines. Do you take medication? Then you can check the package leaflet to see if cramping is one of the side effects.
Read also: 'Do I have a magnesium deficiency?'
It could also be that you drink too little during the day or that you walk too much in high heels. Furthermore, intensive exercise can cause muscle cramps. More serious causes include varicose veins, thyroid problems, or kidney dysfunction. Check for yourself what could be the cause and, if the cramps do not disappear, visit your doctor.
Stretch your calves. Standing on a cold floor can also provide relief. If your calf remains a little stiff, massage the calf. More tips: What can you do against cramps?
