Why do diabetics have leg cramps?


Frequent seizures significantly worsen the quality of everyday life. In addition, there is a tendency to increase their frequency and the development of some complications with inadequate treatment. To prevent seizures you should:

  • give preference to comfortable shoes with low heels, in the home environment to organize the feet more rest;
  • if possible, get rid of excess weight, excess weight additionally burdens the leg muscles;
  • change your diet, fill it with products with potassium, magnesium, and vitamins of groups "B" and "C";
  • increase the intake of liquid and clean water to 2 liters per day, it is useful to dilute with lemon juice and honey;
  • beware of hypothermia and overheating of the extremities, do not swim in cold pools, and do not visit steam rooms;
  • if necessary, wear compression underwear, especially knitted tights or socks.

It is worth remembering that therapy and prevention of seizures should not forget to normalize glucose levels and take medication for diabetes.

Why do diabetics have leg cramps? 

Leg cramps in diabetes why

Leg cramps, especially of the lower legs, are serious symptom that occurs repeatedly, including at night. Overtraining or a shortage of trace elements is one of the most prevalent causes of seizures.

However, leg cramps sometimes occur as a symptom of diseases such as chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, or restless legs syndrome.

Causes and treatment 

Overtraining or a shortage of trace elements is one of the most prevalent causes of seizures. The defeat of such nerves leads to severe pain and muscle contraction in the legs and calves. Therefore, leg cramps in diabetes mellitus are a common occurrence that can be eliminated only with timely and comprehensive treatment.

What is a cramp?

Cramps are contractions that occur in a person's muscles. They come involuntarily, which brings the patient strong, sometimes unbearable pain. Such decreases might last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 47. I gained over 15 pounds in a matter of weeks. Constant tiredness, sleepiness, weakness, and eyesight that began to sit.

By the time I turned 55, I had already been injected with insulin, everything was horrible. The disease continued to develop, occasional seizures began, and ambulances literally brought me back from the next world. The whole time I thought this time would be the last.

The onset of diabetes leaves unpleasant sensations and tenderness in the affected areas over time, so many patients cannot get out of bed or stand on their feet after this phenomenon. 

Today, doctors record the most common cramps in the legs, back, and hips, while contraction can occur as a single muscle or muscle group.

What causes pain?

Pain and unpleasant symptoms occur because in a short time, the muscle must excrete a large amount of waste, which in the best way does not affect the organism's state. Such waste causes irritation of the nerve endings, so the person feels severe pain.

characteristics of seizures in diabetes?

Seizures that occur during diabetes show the patient the presence of complications in the body, so this phenomenon should be given special attention. To overcome the causes and unpleasant symptoms of seizures, it is important to take medication on time, and also strictly follow a diet so as not to cause a rise in blood sugar - then this phenomenon is less likely to bother the patient.

To avoid seizures, whose symptoms are not only unpleasant but also painful, it is important to follow some rules:

treat all diseases on time, including diabetes; eat only healthy foods; avoid stress and nervous states; give up bad habits; adjust your motor activities and try to dedicate as much time as possible to sports.

Why do cramps occur during diabetes?

Because diabetes negatively affects the work of all human organs, the causes of seizures are the malfunction of their functioning. The most common cause of this unpleasant phenomenon is dehydration because high glucose levels require the absorption of large amounts of water.

Also, this phenomenon occurs when there is a lack of certain trace elements in the body, which include:

magnesium; potassium; sodium; zinc.

Due to the lack of nutrients, the mechanism responsible for the work and relaxation of muscles is violated, which causes sharp and unpleasant contraction.

 With diabetes, there is a violation of the conduction of nerves - because of this, an imbalance occurs in them, which is responsible for relaxation and excitement.

As a result, they have nowhere to go and the muscles begin to contract, giving the person severe pain. In any type of diabetes, there is a disorder in the synthesis of ATP. This leads to a decrease in the amount of acid, which causes a violation of metabolic processes that occur in the muscles.

Consequently, the pathological mechanisms of diabetes result in the buildup of metabolic waste in the muscles, leading to overexertion and subsequent deterioration. 

If an individual with diabetes undertakes strenuous physical labor without adequate rest, it can cause harm to the muscle tissue.

They are unable to relax and rest in this situation. It also causes seizures, which become more painful every day.

Seizure symptoms

During sleep or when the position of the body changes, the muscles are forced to change their tension, causing cramps and severe pain. As a result, it is impossible to "use" the limb. If leg cramps occur at night, the person will not be able to rest and sleep completely, because even a light touch of the placenta will burn the eggs and fry them.

Symptoms of leg cramps in nervous system disorders:

  • the feeling of goosebumps;
  • muscle tension;
  • calf thorns;
  • violation of the sensitivity of the lower extremities, as well as their prolonged stiffness.

If you notice symptoms of this phenomenon, as well as suggest what causes this condition, it is important to inform the doctor who will prescribe after the examination a treatment that can relieve the patient from severe and severe pain.

What is the risk of diabetes cramps?

Squeezing the leg muscles has always been considered an alarming bell, as they indicate the onset of diabetic neuropathy. As a result of the development of this pathology, the patient will not be able to walk, and he will experience severe pain, the treatment of which for some time will have only a positive effect.

As a result, neuropathy threatens the patient with cardiac arrest, which will happen if the heart is disturbed. Symptoms of neuropathy, in which you should immediately consult a doctor and carry out complex treatment:

tingling in the legs; increased sensitivity of calves; dagger pain; muscle-burning; leg stiffness; "Strange" move.

Methods of helping the patient

It is important to start treating seizures before providing medical care. Every patient with diabetes should be introduced to first aid that will cope with this unpleasant phenomenon on their own:

change body position (preferably sitting); hold both legs together while exerting a strong strain; lower the limbs to the floor; try to stand barefoot on a cool surface.

If this phenomenon has caught you while walking, you need to tighten your muscles as much as possible and then try to pull your toes towards you.

Treatment of diabetes attacks

Treatment of this phenomenon is carried out under the supervision of an endocrinologist since this doctor knows best the causes and symptoms of calf seizures. First of all, the specialist will prescribe drugs that belong to the group of "anticonvulsant drugs".

They will also prescribe the intake of vitamins and minerals, and adjust the diet. In case of severe pain, the doctor has the right to prescribe painkillers that are compatible with the previously prescribed medication. Patients with mental disorders are prescribed antidepressants and muscle relaxants.

In severe cases, as well as in the absence of therapeutic effect, patients are prescribed:

  • magnetotherapy;
  • impulse therapy;
  • electrotherapy;
  • electrophoresis.

Treatment for seizures should not affect insulin and other medications that support the body in treating diabetes. Patients should not forget to take medications that will help normalize blood sugar levels, as this often leads to unpleasant consequences.


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