Leg cramps at night

Leg cramps at night, occurring no more often than once in six months, are usually not cause for concern. This state arose in most people.

However, regularly arising leg cramps at night not only interfere with normal sleep, but also make one seriously think about the nature of their occurrence.

Such conditions are long and sufficiently powerful muscle contractions. It should be noted that leg cramps at night are not under conscious control of the nervous system. Undoubtedly, in some cases, muscle contractions directly depend on the CNS disorder, however, they practically have no relation to manifestations at night.

To better understand the nature of the occurrence of cramps in the legs at night, one should roughly imagine the arrangement of muscle fibers. It is based on the movement of several protein structures in relation to each other. The main elements are myosin and actin. Normal contractility and subsequent relaxation is only when the muscle has a sufficient level of nutrient substrates. In their role is an ATP molecule. Without it, two squirrels are in a shortened position and never relax. In other words, there is a prolonged muscle contraction - a cramp.

It should be noted that this condition is rarely manifested during the day. Night leg cramps are caused by a decrease in body thermoregulation. The center providing control over this function, together with the person "sleeps". Thus, the "cooling" of the body takes place.

Reduction of blood circulation in muscles is facilitated by low mobility of the trunk in a dream. For the normal implementation of this process, it is necessary to move the musculature, and at night it is minimal. As you know, normal blood circulation is provided by a stable contraction and relaxation of the muscles. In this case, compression and expansion of the vessels located in them occurs. That, in turn, promotes the movement of blood (inflow and outflow) to the tissues.

In addition, it slows the blood circulation and "shrinkage" of the heart rate, reducing their strength and intensity. Due to this, the overall body temperature drops at night.

Thus, it can be concluded that a prolonged reduction is provoked by cooling. However, it should be noted that the temperature of the muscles themselves does not decrease significantly. This is due to the existence of a certain "threshold" of cooling. Below a certain level, a decrease in temperature in the cells is not allowed. In this case, the muscle produces heat independently. At the same time, it is under conditions of a severe energy deficit and operates due to the intracellular supply of ATP. As a result, with the first muscle contraction, the fibers lack energy and are simply "chemically" unable to relax. Thus, and there is a night cramp.

Some experts compare long contractions with rigor mortis. It also arises from the destruction or use of the entire stock of ATP. Thus, all the muscles are spasmodic.

A similar mechanism is the formation of convulsions during a prolonged voyage or after a long break. In such cases, there is a sharp narrowing of the vessels - a reaction to the effects of cold. This, in turn, negatively affects the nutrition of the heat-producing muscle.

Regular occurrence of leg cramps at night is a signal to seek help from a specialist.

It should be noted that, as a rule, people who are older are more likely to suffer from prolonged muscle contractions. These conditions can be associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system.