There are those who, in a tone of regret and with a certain nostalgia, say that the years do not pass in vain. It is more common to hear it from people who have already entered the third age, and they say this because they have experienced that now they cannot do certain activities that were previously common, such as climbing a ladder, climbing a tree, etc. The truth is that, as the years go by, the fact that there are limitations begins to become apparent. But, not only that, but the so-called “aches” also begin to appear, that is, those pains, for no apparent reason, in different parts of the body. One of the most affected parts, whether due to illness or the lifestyle that was previously led, are the hands. In fact, the hands are the part of the body that we use the most. We use them to do from the finest and most precise jobs, to the strongest and most rudimentary.
For this reason, it is normal that, over time, they begin to hurt or have certain cramps. But no matter how old you are or what job you do, what can you do to cure hand cramps? Is there any way to do it? Actually, yes. During this short article, we will be sharing with you some ways you can deal with uncomfortable, annoying and even painful hand cramps. At the end of your reading, you can say goodbye once and for all. If you do not suffer from hand cramps, it is always good to be forewarned and know what to do when the situation arises. But, in addition, you can share this information with another person who does suffer from them, such as a friend, your parents or grandparents. It will surely be very useful to you. Let’s see what you can do to combat them.
Instructions to cure hand cramps
A cramp is nothing more than the contraction of the muscle, which makes it difficult for you to move. Although it is true that, in general, its manifestations are brief, they can become very annoying and cause intense pain. Some of the causes that can trigger hand cramps are: tiredness, having altered body electrolytes, muscle wasting, etc. However, they can also occur due to dehydration, kidney problems, pregnancy, vitamin D deficiency or as a result of suffering from diseases, such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, among others. No matter what their causes are, it is important to know how you can cure them correctly. Some of the ways to do it are these:
Stretch out your hand. Stretch your hand without taking your fingers off. Use your other hand to pull it back a bit, pressing down on the palm of your fingers. In case you have cramps in both hands, place them on a flat surface and press gently, in order to stretch the fingers. Hold this position for about 30 to 60 seconds and then release it. It will also help you to fist your hands and then open them stretching your fingers as much as possible. Apply hot and cold compresses alternately. This will help ease the pain, as heat is very helpful in relieving cramps and releasing tension in the muscles, while cold will reduce inflammation. At the time of doing it, do not forget fabric color between the compress and the skin to protect it.
Drink lots of water. Since dehydration is one of the possible causes of hand cramps, it’s important to drink plenty of water. Sometimes dehydration occurs as a result of exercising, working in the sun or in a very hot space, or taking diuretic medications. In such cases, there is an imbalance in the electrolytes. Therefore, it will also be useful to drink a sports drink. Take vitamin supplements. Cramps occur when there is an absence of sodium, calcium, magnesium or potassium. However, before deciding whether to take one, it is best to consult your doctor. Especially if you are taking other medications. Using any of these simple methods you will find relief from hand cramps. But what else do you need?
What do you need to cure hand cramps?
In addition to the above, home remedies are very useful to cure hand cramps. Some of the things you will need are: Arnica. The use of this flower is very common to treat muscle pain, bumps and discomfort caused by arthritis, since it has an analgesic effect. To use it, you just have to prepare an infusion and dip your hands in it twice a day about three times a week. The results are immediate! Banana smoothie. Banana is a food rich in potassium and this is a mineral that helps minimize the possibility of cramps. You just have to blend half a glass of yogurt, a glass of milk, half a cup of orange juice and a banana. Have a glass of this smoothie twice a week and voila! You will be taking advantage of the potassium and calcium it contains. Herbal teas. Scientific studies have determined that stress and anxiety can also trigger hand cramps. In view of this, you can turn to herbal teas to provide relief. One of the most effective teas, for this particular, is chamomile, since it has valerianic acid, a muscle relaxant that helps fight cramps. You can also make peppermint tea, which contains menthol, valerian, ginger, or some other similar herb. So far, only how to cure hand cramps has been covered. But, if you do not suffer from them, it is important that you know how to prevent them. Therefore, be sure to read the following tips.
Tips to cure hand cramps
Since cramps can occur as a result of an electrolyte imbalance, you need to make sure you get daily magnesium, potassium, and calcium. The best way to do this is by taking care of your daily diet, which should be rich in green leafy vegetables, celery, cucumbers, etc. Keep in mind that food greatly influences the appearance of cramps. For example, if you consume processed foods, refined sugar, caffeine, trans fats, alcohol, among other things, it is much more likely that you will suffer from cramps in your hands and other parts of the body. Therefore, the healthiest thing would be to refrain from consuming them. You should also increase the amount of water you drink daily to prevent dehydration, another cause of hand cramps. If you have a hard time drinking water because you don’t know how much you should consume, something that can help you is to fill a bottle with the amount of water for the course of the day. When night comes, the bottle must be empty. Then fill it up again and repeat the process the next day. That way you will avoid dehydration. Rest is also essential. Sometimes cramps are a consequence of physical wear and tear. Therefore, place them under rest, that is, do not use them to lift weight or to perform demanding tasks. If you give them enough time to rest, you will see your hands recover in no time. Finally, it is recommended that you do stretching exercises. Do them for about 30 seconds or a minute. In this way you will get the tendons, and all the muscles of the hands, to relax. It is of particular interest to do these things for those who use their hands to work, such as those who type on the computer, those who have to write a lot or those who cook professionally, since they are the most prone to hand cramps.