Muscle spasms, commonly known as cramps, are spontaneous and rigid contractions of the muscles. Muscle spasms in the calf and toes are the most common, causing severe pain that can last from a few seconds to several tens of seconds. Especially when cramps occur at night, they often wake people up. Calcium deficiency and local blood circulation obstruction are the main causes of cramps in the elderly.
When cramps occur in the toes or calves, the elderly should first find a safe place to sit down to avoid falling due to unstable balance. The legs should be bent at 90 degrees, and both hands should grasp the front of the foot or the big toe of the foot on the side of the cramp, pulling it towards the body for about 20 seconds, repeating 2-3 times. The number of repetitions can be increased appropriately depending on the relief of muscle spasms. Due to poor blood circulation in the elderly and the presence of blood clots in most lower limbs, massage should not be done casually to avoid adverse consequences.
If frequent cramps occur in the calves of the elderly, be alert to possible vascular diseases and seek medical attention in a timely manner. If there are no disease factors, attention should be paid to keeping warm and maintaining good blood circulation in the limbs. Only with smooth blood flow can nutrients and oxygen be delivered to muscle cells and waste products be removed, thus preventing cramps. Regular muscle stretching exercises and massages in areas prone to cramping can promote local blood circulation.
