The elderly often experience calf cramps at night, especially when the temperature changes greatly in the seasons, the pain is unbearable and affects sleep.
If calf cramps are caused by hypocalcemia, it may be life-threatening in severe cases.
Let's talk about how to deal with nighttime calf cramps and ways to relieve them.
In addition to pregnant women, calf cramps are more common in the elderly, especially those with weak constitutions and poor nutrition.
Current research believes that one of the main reasons is the decrease in serum calcium ion concentration, also known as hypocalcemia, which leads to increased nerve and muscle excitability.
Other causes include hypothermia stimulation, less clothing, unwarmed bedding, prolonged sitting, and lower extremity fatigue from excessive walking, and prolonged lower extremity bending during sleep.
Among these triggers, hypocalcemia is the most concerning.
Hypocalcemia is a phenomenon in which blood calcium is lower than the normal value, which is a disorder of calcium metabolism.
Because the physiological role of calcium depends on free calcium (ie, ionized calcium), hypocalcemia generally also refers to free calcium that is lower than normal (<1.1 mmol/L).
Hypocalcemia is usually asymptomatic, but the consequences can be severe if left unchecked.
The severity of its symptoms is not completely consistent with the degree of blood calcium reduction, but is related to the speed and duration of blood calcium reduction.
This disease can cause neuromuscular system, cardiovascular system, bone and skin and soft tissue diseases; voluntary muscle and smooth muscle spasm can occur, leading to convulsions and seizures; can cause asthma; even cardiac arrest.
From the first aid method, you can deal with nighttime calf cramps like this:
1. Press the Renzhong acupoint firmly with the pulp of the thumb or index finger until the acupoint feels sore;
2. Sit up immediately, straighten your legs, and then use your hands to force the soles of your feet to the instep direction;
3. Press both sides of the heel with your thumb and index finger, and rub it up and down hard;
4. Immediately get out of bed and move around after the cramp occurs, and push down on the ground with the forefoot of the affected foot.
For the prevention and treatment of calf cramps in the elderly, if it is clearly caused by low blood calcium, the main measure is calcium supplementation, calcium gluconate tablets, calcium lactate and other drugs can be taken orally, and foods high in calcium and nutritious, such as milk, Beans, dried shrimps, kelp, etc.
In addition, more outdoor activities, more sun exposure, avoid low temperature stimulation and excessive fatigue, calf cramps will be significantly improved.
If the cramp does not improve and there are signs of aggravation, it is recommended to seek medical treatment in time.
Ma Rui (Author: Beijing Emergency Center)