What to do if your toes cramp
The expert told how to cope with an unpleasant phenomenon and why it happens.
Many people often ignore discomfort in their toes, referring only to uncomfortable shoes or fatigue. However, few people suspect that these symptoms can be harbingers of serious illness.
Lack of minerals and diet
Lack of potassium, calcium and magnesium can cause muscle cramps. They can be replenished with products such as meat, cereals, jacket potatoes, wheat bran, green peas, beans, wheat germ, carrots, pumpkin, beets, radishes, peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, avocados, herbs, champignons, melons, apples, kiwi, watermelons, black currants, grapes, cherries, walnuts, hazelnuts.
Dehydration
An insufficient amount of fluid leads to a violation of the water-salt balance and a slowdown in metabolism. The body’s response will be an involuntary muscle contraction.
Lack of vitamin D
The absorption of calcium and magnesium, the work of the kidneys, the heart, the condition of bones and skin depend on its use.
Increased protein intake
Often, athletes or fitness enthusiasts follow this diet. As a result, the increased consumption of protein foods makes it difficult for the absorption of calcium.
Uncomfortable shoes
Stiff shoes can interfere with the normal activity of the deep muscles of the foot. Because of this, they do not fully fulfill their function – to stabilize the legs. Tight shoes restrict blood circulation and the limbs begin to go numb.
Hard workouts
During sports, the leg muscles contract and expand. Intense training can overload the feet, leading to cramps in the toes. Also, improper exercise technique can harm the proper functioning of the limbs.
Frequent stress
Rapid weight loss, hypothermia, illness transfer.
Lack of physical activity
Due to low motor activity, the blood supply is disrupted and the muscles lose their elasticity and undergo atrophy.
Stroke
Convulsions occur due to damage to the brain, which is responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses to the feet.
Diseases of the vascular system
Due to dysfunction of blood vessels, the lower limbs receive less nutrients.
Diseases of the lumbar spine
Pinched nerves in the lumbar spine can lead to numbness in the limbs.
Flat-footedness
Progressive flat feet can cause seizures.
– In no case should you neglect the cramps of the toes, – shares neurologist Olga Kardysheva. – First, contact a therapist who will diagnose. First of all, you will be asked about the details of the symptoms, what concomitant chronic diseases are. Further, blood tests, urine tests and ultrasound of the lower extremities will be prescribed. Only then will they be redirected to a narrow specialist.
If you start having seizures, the main thing is not to panic. There are several easy ways to stop seizures. First – walk on a cold floor or ice on the foot, which will increase blood circulation and relax muscles. Second – stretch your fingers. Grab them with your hand and pull the sock sharply towards you. The third – wrap your leg with a warm towel and apply a heating pad. I note that you can often read such popular advice as to prick your leg with a needle and take aspirin. This is definitely not worth doing without a doctor’s recommendation!