We bet, the thought of a muscle cramp makes you cringe. So how is a muscle cramp caused? To put in simple terms, it is a strong contraction or tightening of a muscle that happens in instant. Extremely painful, it can last for few seconds or go up to several minutes. The muscle does not relax, which is why you experience such acute pain. Not hard to notice, a muscle cramp often causes the involved muscle to harden.
Most people experience a muscle cramp at least sometimes in their life. It is a common condition and can happen due to several reasons. The most common reason being extreme pressure being exerted on the muscle due to a rigorous workout.
If you are constantly at the receiving end of excruciating pain due to constant muscle cramps, here are certain things you can do to avoid them.
Drink enough water – It is true, water is the remedy to most health problems. You must ensure that your body is well hydrated at all times. The losses as much fluid and replenishing it with water will keep the muscles from contracting.
Avoid popping pills – Constant consumption of medicines, birth control pills, steroids, etc. can affect the muscle cramp. You should try and minimize the intake of these medicines as much as possible.
Limit smoking and alcohol intake – Smoking and drinking cause lack of blood circulation to the muscles. The legs especially fall prey to the effects of bad circulation. Regular smoking can lead this to aggravate thereby making muscle cramps extremely painful.
Healthy food intake – Your body is a reflection of the food you eat. Make sure that you eat food that is healthy and gives your body enough vitamins, calcium, etc. Avoid eating greasy foods that generous on oils and fatty acids.
Prescribed multivitamin tablets – It is possible that the natural foods you eat may not provide your body with all the required vitamins. Ask your doctor to prescribe you multivitamin tablets that you can take every day. This is help in the deficiency thereby controlling muscle contraction.
Go gym easy – If you hit the gym, take your time and go slow on the workouts. Lifting weights and stressing other parts of your body can lead to your muscle reacting in the form of cramps. You have to first condition your body to exercise a little, before doing a full-fledged workout.
Keeping these factors in mind and you will be able to effectively avoid cramps and the pain.
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4 Tips to Treat Common Symptoms of Stomach Flu
Read moreGastroenteritis, popularly termed as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a ruthless mix of symptoms. The most common cause of stomach flu are viral infections; however, it can also be caused due to bacterial or parasitic infections and food-borne illnesses. The symptoms of stomach flu usually last up to 14 days. The condition is a highly contagious one that spreads through an oral-fecal route. The most common symptoms of stomach flu are as follows:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cramping in the abdomen
- Low-grade fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
Here are some tips to treat the symptoms of the stomach flu:
Drink Lots of Fluids
When affected by stomach flu, your body loses essential bodily fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. Therefore, it is important to consume these fluids to regulate the body’s water levels and stay hydrated. The best fluids to consume when suffering from the symptoms of stomach flu are as follows:- Clear liquids such as water
- Ginger and peppermint tea to relieve nausea
- Energy drinks that assist in electrolyte replacement
- OTC preparations
Additionally, make sure to avoid highly caffeinated drinks such as coffee or black tea. These can muddle with your sleeping patterns and further upset your stomach.
Follow the BRAT diet
Most of the times, people with stomach flu do not feel like eating. But when they do, it’s best to start with a BRAT diet. BRAT is the acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These four foods are easy to digest and a rich source of carbohydrates. They will replenish the vital nutrients in your body and give you the needed energy to function.On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid dairy products, fibrous foods, and anything that is greasy or spicy as it will further complicate stomach distresses.
Try Acupressure
Acupressure is a great technique that helps in alleviating nausea and other symptoms of an upset stomach. You can locate the pressure point P-6 by measuring the width of three fingers, starting from the bottom of your hand palm. Massage the area with your thumb for 2-3 minutes to experience relief.Medicate with Caution
Several people take to medicines for curing the symptoms of the stomach flu. However, it is important to note that stomach flu cannot always be cured with medications, and taking antibiotics will not help if the condition is caused due to a viral infection. Certain medications can be taken for stomach flu unless you suffer from a liver disease. They relive aches and fever and is less likely to upset your stomach. You can also take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications to ease symptoms that are usually associated with stomach flu, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. -
Reasons why metal detection is such a popular hobby
Read moreMetal detection is a hugely popular hobby that has won the favor of numerous enthusiasts all around the world. You may wonder why metal detection is such an enthralling and exciting hobby that makes people go gaga over it. For a person who is consumed with the love for metal detection, answering what’s so exciting about it may be quite a task. Various people find different kinds of pleasures in it. Check out some of the reasons that make metal detection such a popular hobby.
Love of history
For some history buffs, the primary reason for embracing metal detection as a hobby may be the thrill of finding antiques and items that haven’t seen the light of the day for centuries. People interested in artifacts and archaeology may especially be inclined towards this activity. Many engage in it for their interest for ancient weapons that have sundry tales to tell.Love for collecting
Collecting sundry items is a popular hobby among several people. Some people may be able to satiate their love for coin collecting through metal detectors. Metal detection gives people the liberty to collect age old colonial coins and new age wheat pennies!Keeps you active
Believe it or not but metal detection is a great outdoor activity that keeps you alive and kicking. It is also a fantastic form of physical and mental exercise. Metal detecting keeps you going to new and far off sites and engages you in the most productive of ways.Financial gains
One of the most common reasons why some people are glued on and motivated to metal detection is for some extra bucks. Some people may delve into sites with the hope of finding valuable jewelry, gold coins or nuggets and sell their finds to earn some serious money! This may not always be the case. For most hobbyists, their finds are more meaningful to them than a few dollars.Adrenaline rush
Metal detection is quite an addictive and adventurous activity that gives hobbyists all the adrenaline rush a sport like mountain biking or rafting may provide. Hunting for antiques and bygone items in itself is an engaging and exciting pursuit. To top it up, finding and pulling out dirt laden rare and obscure artifacts is all the thrill you would ever want. What’s more, the activity gives you a reason to explore permitted public parks, beaches, woods and even your own private property!