A muscle cramp is an involuntary and sudden contraction of and tightening of one or muscles that will not immediately relax. Ranging in intensity from a slight flash of pain all the way to immobilizing agony until the cramp is gone, these cramps can end in 15 seconds or last several minutes at a time and are usually visible by the way the muscle twitches under the skin. How can you get rid of them quickly? Let’s take a look.
What are muscle cramps and what causes them?
Muscle cramps tend to occur after prolonged physical labor or exercise, especially those in excessive heat and humid weather, or prolonged posture in an unusual position.
Although the legs are the muscle group most commonly associated with cramps caused by a vitamin deficiency, muscle cramps can occur in other areas of the body.
The most commonly affected muscle groups are:
- Feet and hands
- Upper leg, including the quadriceps and hamstring
- Lower leg, including the calf muscle
Although generally considered harmless, use of the affected muscle is an impossibility until the cramp has subsided. Muscle cramps rarely require medical aid and can usually be treated at home with self-care measures.
How to get rid of muscle cramps
It can often be difficult to decipher what has triggered muscle cramps. Dehydration, problems with blood flow, muscle injuries, tired muscles, and pinched nerves are just a few of the possible causes. Muscle cramps can also be triggered by vitamin deficiencies.
It’s important to visit your doctor to get to the root cause of your muscle cramps, especially if you are experiencing extreme pain. They will be able to recommend the most effective way to get rid of your cramps.
Which vitamins deficiencies can cause muscle cramps?
If you are experiencing persistent muscle cramps, a vitamin or mineral deficiency may be a contributing factor. Knowing which vitamin deficiencies can cause muscle cramps can help you get to the core of the issue. Thankfully, identifying and correcting deficiencies can cause the associated muscle cramps to vanish in short order.
Here are a few of the most commonly associated deficiencies in relation to muscle cramps:
Vitamin B
Typically used to promote blood circulation, deficiencies in Vitamin B can be a common cause of muscle cramps and can affect the efficiency of blood flow. For instance, a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to general muscle cramps, while not getting enough vitamin B1 is a common cause of cramping in the lower legs.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an antiarthritic vitamin that can be effective in promoting calcification of body structure. Working in conjunction with magnesium and calcium, Vitamin D helps to control muscle contraction. Muscle cramps may be caused by an imbalance between those three components.
Some studies have shown that a deficiency in Vitamin D may cause muscle cramps and may be detrimental for muscle function; however, other studies have not found such a correlation. More studies will be needed to determine the exact correlation between vitamin D insufficiency and muscles.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C aids in the absorption of crucial electrolytes and minerals. A deficiency in Vitamin C can often lead to an electrolyte imbalance, which in turn can cause muscle cramping.
Electrolyte imbalance
Often brought on by dehydration, excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting, an Electrolyte Imbalance can cause cramping in the muscles as well as muscle contractions, with deficiencies in calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium proving especially problematic with these issues.
How to make sure you are getting your daily vitamins
Oral supplements are generally used as a preventative health measure or to help treat medical conditions. While this may seem like a convenient method to get the essential vitamin your body needs, oral supplements are not fully absorbed by the body and cannot replicate the vitamin and nutrient benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
A healthy and varied diet is the best course of action when avoiding muscle cramps. Dietary supplements are inefficient on their own and are not intended to replace complete meals, which are essential to nourishing the body. Adults who eat a healthy variety of foods such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables, lean meat and fish and low-fat dairy products likely will not need oral supplements. Whole foods offer greater nutrition and variety of the micronutrients your body needs, essential fiber which can help reduce risk of diabetes and heart disease, and antioxidants that can hinder development of cell and tissue damage.
IV vitamin therapy: an innovative way to get essential vitamins
IV Vitamin therapy is a medical treatment in which the individual receives vitamins via a small tube inserted into a vein. Traditionally, this form of treatment had been reserved for patients undergoing cancer care, hospitalized patients, or those in the ER. IV vitamin therapy is now commonly used for patients looking to improve their health, restore energy levels, or boost their immune systems against the flu or virus going around town.
Unlike oral supplements which are broken down by the stomach and digestive tract, IV vitamin therapy is absorbed directly into the bloodstream where cells can access them immediately. This process cuts digestion out of the equation completely, allowing your body to absorb everything it needs and nothing it doesn’t. This delivers a higher concentration of vitamins while allowing for more accurate and precise dosage administered. Simply put, IV vitamin therapy is the fastest and most effective way to get essential vitamins and hydrating fluids into your body.
Additional benefits of IV vitamin therapy include:
- Can help prevent illness
- Aids detoxification of the body
- Can enhance the immune system
- Provides immediate hydration
- Boosts energy levels
- Can help accelerate the wound healing process
- Can significantly alleviate the effects of a hangover
Related:
- How To Insert An IV At Home
- How to calculate the appropriate IV fluid amount for your needs
- Which IV Fluids Are Used in a Dehydration Treatment?
- Where Can I Buy IV Fluids And Bags?
- IV Solutions Cheat Sheet: What and When Do You Need It?
- What Does a Nurse Need to Know to Administer an At-home IV?
- Types Of IV Fluids And How To Know What You Need
- What is Saline IV Used For?
In-Home IV Vitamins For Muscle Cramps And More
Drip Hydration is a mobile IV therapy treatment provider delivering IV therapy directly to you at home. Our team of registered nurses and service providers are fully trained and licensed and are experienced at providing quality vitamin infusions at home. Offering a wide variety of at-home IV therapy treatments, Drip Hydration’s proprietary infusion blends contain vitamins, essential fluids, electrolytes designed to provide balance and whole-body health.
With specific drips for Dehydration, Stomach Flu, Energy, or even a Hangover treatment, Drip Hydration has the bases covered for IV vitamin therapy treatments delivered in the most discreet fashion possible. All IV vitamin therapy is administered within the comfort of your own home with a commitment to providing the safest and highest quality care to each and every patient.
Wellness begins with a body that’s in balance. If you are interested in IV Vitamin therapy, Drip Hydration has a wide array of options to best suit your needs. Now that you’re ready to receive the benefits of IV vitamin therapy for yourself, give us a call or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
