Cramps due to too little salt in the muscles

Salt helps against muscle cramps

07/04/2014

Currently Germany is watching the World Cup. If there is no winner after 90 minutes, it goes into extra time. For the players, this often means having to go beyond their capacity limit. Some grab a violent muscle spasm. But not only professional athletes suffer from the sudden, drawing pain. Contrary to popular belief that magnesium is the best way to prevent muscle cramps, experts suggest sodium chloride, saline.

With sufficient salt prevent muscle cramps
If the muscles are not well supplied with salt during exercise, they will cramp. This can happen if the amount of drink is too low or too high. Lack of fluid, the body is also not supplied with sufficient electrolyte at the same time. On the other hand, excessive amounts of fluid cause a lowering of the salt level in the blood, as Prof. Herbert Löllgen of the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention points out to the news agency "dpa".

In order to be fit for training, athletes should therefore provide themselves with enough fluid in combination with table salt, magnesium and calcium before and during exercise. Suitable examples are electrolyte drinks. Another option is to add salt to fruit juice spritzers. Pure water is less recommended because it contains too few electrolytes and at the same time dilutes the salt content in the blood.

What to do when the muscle cramps?
If a muscle spasm occurs, it should first be given in by shortening the muscle. So the leg should first be bent in a leg cramp. When the pain subsides, the muscle can be stretched. In the case of calf muscles, the leg is stretched and counter-pressure applied to the toe. Then it is advisable to take enough liquid to compensate for the electrolyte deficiency again. The athlete should take a few minutes break before straining the muscle again. However, if the musculature continues to cause pain, it is advisable to stop exercising. Otherwise, strains and even muscle fiber tears threaten.

Suffering athletes regularly cramping should consult a doctor. A blood test usually gives information about the cause. Thus, side effects of medications, metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, lack of blood flow, overuse of the musculature or orthopedic causes such as a foot deformity can lead to convulsions. (Ag)