What could be the cause of cramps on my toes?
By Nikhabele
@Nikhabele (166)
South Africa
April 14, 2012 2:33am CST
I have recently started getting cramps on my toes, I'm 32, never had a cramp of any sort but sometime 10 months ago I had a funny kind of cramp on my toes. Very recently I do get them time and again and it's such an uncomfortable thing really. My mother has high blood pressure and she has always always had cramp attacks to her thighs, and she would scream as if in pain, but I never understood what was that until last year when I had my first attack. I was putting on a shoe and my toes started cramping and curling to one side, I was in such a discomfort, because it's not painful, that I came near crying, and then I remembered that my mom uses ice cubes to relax the muscles. I did the ice cube trick and the cramp went away.
Eight months later I got another one and another one a month after that, so far I've had three attacks and I really loathe the idea of another attack. Did I mention that the last one caught me in the shower and I was straight from gym at that time and I had one on my toes and another one on my calf at the same time. I cried, but I was in the shower so I guess I could cause no one was gonna see my tears even they just barged in:)
What causes these things and what can I do to prevent/cure them?
5 responses
@celticeagle (159606)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Apr 12
Everyone has sensitivities in different areas. You can have the same sort of problems as your mom and it might hit you alittle differently. I used to get bad cramps too after exercise. But mine were in the toes and bottom of the foot. I went to foot doctor and found I had one leg quite a bit shorter than the other and this was causing me problems. I would check such things out.
@Nikhabele (166)
• South Africa
15 Apr 12
Wow,,,funny how our bodies function now,hey celticeagle? I mean who would have thought one leg can be shorter? And I bet you don't limp when you walk right? I'll have it checked by a medical practitioner too. I haven't been to the doctor yet because the attacks are far apart from each other, like for instance the last one was about four months ago. Doctors told my mom that her's sure caused by her high blood pressure condition, so I was just suprised that I didn't have high blood but I get funny cramps.
Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159606)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Apr 12
You never know. I would be interested in knowing what the medical practitioner whould make of it all.
@Nikhabele (166)
• South Africa
15 Apr 12
I believe the cold surface story as the ice cubes really gives relive you know. Thanks.
@yanzalong (18982)
• Indonesia
14 Apr 12
It is very important to do the stretches before and after physical exercise to avoid having cramps like you mentioned. The blood was pooling at the area of the cramp. If you cooled down and stretches after exercises this will allow the blood to flow back to the organs and glands.
@Nikhabele (166)
• South Africa
15 Apr 12
Hi yanzalong, I always stretch after working out you know, I just won't understand why i had that attack and it lasted longer than the first one.
Thx for your response.
@vandana7 (99009)
• India
15 Apr 12
Legs are important part of our lives, and you are only 32. So please do not neglect the medical condition. There can be several conditions that may start with simple calcium and Vitamin D3 deficiency, to more complex issues like Vitamin B complex deficience, Vitamin E deficiency, diabetes, peripheral arterial diseases, and what nots. If the ice cube is giving the relief, then I do think it needs medical attention.
Here are some exercises that you could try on a regular basis for your feet, and calf muscles.
1. Lie down flat - straight. Keep both your arms straight on either side of your body. Now rotate your feet clockwise - 20 times - with a gap of 3 seconds between each rotation. Repeat this anti clockwise. Now keep something like folded towel or pillow between your feet and the bed end (hopefully that has some height to prevent towel from falling). Now, press the towel forward..again 20 times with similar gaps. Reverse the thing with feet pressing backwards, i.e., the toe in the direction of your face.
2. Fold your legs try to turn only part of your body to one side. Similarly, do it to the other side.
3. Lift the right leg - hold it for a couple of seconds. Lift the left leg hold it for a couple of seconds. Do it for 20 odd times.
4. Fold your legs..now keep your two hands on knee - slightly lower - try to get up. (similar to crunches - good for belly toning)
5. Stand straight hold the chair - try to move the leg in an arc. Repeat it with the other leg.
Just a few exercises that have helped me so I felt I could share them with you. Hope you feel better soon.
@Nikhabele (166)
• South Africa
15 Apr 12
Thank you Vandana for the useful advice. And by the way I will certainly have this checked. I didn't think it could be sooo serious but I'm starting to worry now that I hear about all of these deficiencies you have mentioned.
@ladysilver (370)
•
14 Apr 12
I had a cramp once in public place, people were passing by and wondering what I was doing because I looked like I was dancing or doing some exercises, I got it on one leg at first, then the other,it was terrible.From time to time I take Magnesium.This is the only mineral that helps me forget cramps.It's effective for me only when I take it separately, not with other minerals.
