Can foot cramps be a sign of sometimes severe? Foot cramps occur due to involuntary muscle movement that causes pain and discomfort. There can be many reasons behind foot cramps, and some are severe, which require medical attention. Learn what causes foot cramps and how to get relief in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Causes

Many different factors cause foot cramps, including:

1. Dehydration:

Dehydration is one of the most common reasons for foot cramps because your body requires a necessary amount of water to ensure tissues and organs work properly. So, without enough water in the body, muscle cramps can occur throughout the body, including the feet. Dehydration can occur due to several reasons:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Not drinking enough water
• Hot weather
• Exercise

Make sure you drink enough water to avoid dehydration.

2. Overly tight shoes:

If you wear shoes that don’t fit or are very tight, it creates muscle cramping in the feet because it constricts your movement and cuts off circulation. When your blood is no longer circulating as it should, your foot muscles start to cramp. It can also happen if you wear high heels or flat-soled shoes because it strains the muscles that support the arches of the feet, leading to muscle fatigue. Tired muscles over time when you stand or walk cause foot cramping. That’s why you should wear proper fitting shoes that provide enough arch support.

3. Overexercising:

If you exercise too much or too hard, you put unnecessary strain on your foot muscles, which leads to cramps. When you overuse muscles and stand for long periods of time, it makes your leg muscles and feet tired. If you don’t give them enough rest, it will cause pain and cramping. That’s why you should stretch first or do moderate-level exercise and provide rest to your feet to avoid cramps.

4. Low potassium:

Potassium is an essential electrolyte that controls functions that are necessary for muscle movement and nerve functioning. Low levels of potassium can lead to muscle cramping, especially in your feet and legs. If your potassium level is frequently low (hypokalemia), it can cause cramping in your muscles. Hypokalemia doesn’t cause symptoms if it’s mild. When it’s severe, you may experience – cramping, fatigue and weakness, abnormal heartbeat, and constipation. To diagnose hypokalemia, your doctor will measure potassium levels in your blood and urine. Sometimes, low levels of calcium and magnesium also cause muscle cramping.

5. Health issues:

Several medical conditions are linked with foot cramps. These conditions affect either electrolyte balances or nerves that help to move the muscles, which leads to muscle cramps. It includes hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, Addison’s disease, neuropathy, motor neuron diseases, multiple sclerosis, dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, nerve root compression, etc. Conditions like peripheral vascular disease can damage the blood vessels that bring oxygen to muscles, this makes changes in muscle functions and leads to foot cramps. Pregnancy can also cause cramps in the feet due to many body changes like extra weight stress, shifting hormone levels, and adaptations needed to support the fetus.

6. Medication side effects:

Some medications can cause cramping as a side effect, however, not all people experience these side effects. It includes:

• Asthma medication
• Statin drugs
• Neostigmine
• Medications for Parkinson’s disease
• Osteoporosis drugs
• Medicines for Alzheimer’s disease
• Diuretics
• Blood pressure medications

Symptoms

During a muscle cramp, you feel intense contraction, which causes intense foot muscle tightening that results in pain, and sharp or deep aching sensation. It gets better when muscle contractions relax. Usually, muscle cramps of the feet happen in the arch of the foot and the toes, and cramps can happen in the calf muscles of the leg. Most people experience foot cramps at night while sleeping.

How to get relief?

You can get relief depending on what is causing cramping in your feet. In most cases, people can relieve their foot cramps with light stretching and gentle massages. If your potassium levels are low which causes muscle cramps, then add potassium-rich foods like potatoes and bananas or take a potassium supplement.

If dehydration causes cramps, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes in them. However, if dehydration is severe, you need medical intervention to prevent severe complications. Doctors may give diuretics or intravenous fluids to manage the fluids or electrolyte levels.

If overexercising causes foot cramps, then a person needs to give enough time to rest or decrease the intensity of the exercise. Sports massages and stretching can help. If your shoes cause cramps, then change your footwear. Make sure you buy shoes that fit you properly. If a medication is causing cramping, then you should talk with your doctor. They may give you an alternative or recommend another treatment method.

If your cramp is caused by nerve damage or other health conditions, the doctor will create a treatment plan to manage your condition and improve your symptoms.

When to see a podiatrist?

While most foot cramps are manageable at home, if foot cramps are happening often and not getting better with rest or stretching, then it’s a sign of an underlying health problem that requires a medical condition. If you’re getting foot cramps as a side effect of a medicine you’re taking, you should ask your provider before stopping taking the medication. If possible, they may change your dose or switch to another medication.

Foot cramps can be painful and make you uncomfortable, however, mostly they can be managed at home with some stretching, gentle massages, staying hydrated, wearing shoes that fit, and giving proper rest after intense physical activity. If you’re getting foot cramps due to a health condition or medication side effects, then you should seek medical help to avoid complications.

If you need help with foot cramps, visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!

Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common, as are infections secondary to systemic diseases. It’s not a promising idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you’re in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-347-384-5690 or send an email to info@doralhw.org.