Muscle cramps in thighs

Muscle cramps are never a pleasant sensation, but when they appear in the thigh or thighs, they are even more unpleasant. Sharp pain is usually an inevitable accompanying symptom, and it can be so serious that the person in question will not be able to move a leg or legs normally. Even though this type of cramps can last for a few seconds, as well as it can persist for even 15 minutes, the discomfort is very likely to remain in the cramped muscle even 24 hours after the pain is gone and it will make it tender to the touch. Despite the fact that practically any person can be befallen by muscle cramps in thighs, including even children, the truth is that some people are more prone to them than others. Among them are women who are pregnant, people who have problems with excess weight and obesity, and elderly people, as well as people who suffer from certain health conditions.

Why do muscle cramps occur in thighs?

As for the most common inducers of muscle cramps in thighs, the first to mention are definitely overuse, strain and injury to the muscles. This is also why those who exercise are advised to perform stretching before starting with exercising of any kind. On the other side, if a person spends a lot of time sitting in one position, these cramps are very likely to occur because of reduced supply of oxygen to the muscles in thighs. Dehydration and problems with the circulation of the blood can also result in muscle cramps in question, although they can also be a side effect of certain medications.

How to deal with them?

It might be very useful to try to find out what actually causes muscle cramps in thighs, because in some cases it is much easier to prevent them once the culprit is recognized. It is important to know that there is no reason for a person to run to the doctor right away. Instead, there are some things that everyone can do at home in order to reduce the discomfort or even pain that they tend to cause. Applying the ice packs on the affected area, or rubbing it onto the thigh can provide significant help. Applying heating pads can also help because it stimulates circulation of blood in that area, but taking a hot shower can do the same. Massage with gentle strokes will also bring improvement and relief, and there is no need for a professional in this case.