Question
Why do children’s legs cramp at night during sleep?
Answer
Sudden involuntary muscle contractions can cause stiffness and pain. The main reasons for leg cramps include: (1) Poor regional circulation, peripheral angiitis, or varicose veins in the feet. (2) Sudden change in environmental temperature. (3) Excessive emotional tension. (4) Excessive loss of water and salt, leading to an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. (5) Insufficient mineral content in the diet (such as magnesium and calcium). (6) Certain chronic diseases; the incidence of leg cramps in pregnant women also increases. (7) Hypothyroidism, uremia, or other bodily diseases. (8) Neuromuscular diseases, spinal nerve root inflammation, or peripheral neuropathy. (9) Certain antihypertensive and antilipid drugs may also cause leg cramps. How to reduce the chance of leg cramps: (1) Pay attention to calcium intake: During the adolescent stage, calcium is relatively lacking, which is more likely to cause cramps. (2) For those prone to leg cramps at night, perform stretching exercises on the prone areas before going to bed. (3) Pay attention to keeping the lower legs warm while sleeping; wearing more clothes can make hands and feet feel warm. (4) Overly curved sole (downward direction) may sometimes cause cramps in the lower legs. Avoid excessive foot inversion while sleeping. (5) There are reports in literature that vitamin E can reduce recurrence, but there is no definitive conclusion yet. When experiencing severe pain from a leg cramp, you can…