Causes for Getting Foot Cramps

Foot cramps can be incredibly annoying and seem to hit you out of nowhere. They can even strike you in the middle of the night and wake you up. You might feel the muscles in your feet tighten for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. There are different levels of severity when it comes to these types of cramps in your feet. It could be a once-a-night occurrence or it could happen multiple times in a short duration. These cramps are caused by involuntary spasms in the muscles of your foot. Usually, cramping is not a cause for concern, but it can be associated with some conditions. If cramps in your feet are becoming a problem, understanding what causes foot cramps is the first step to overcoming them.

Cramps in Feet: What Does It Feel Like?

Cramps tend to be short bursts of sharp or otherwise intense pain. It can feel like the muscle that is cramping has “knotted” itself. In the feet, foot arch cramps are the most common. This is when the muscle in the arch of your foot spasms. However, cramps can also occur in the toes as well as calf muscles. These cramps can be extremely unpleasant to experience. So, if you find yourself having them a lot, you’re probably wondering what causes foot cramps in the first place. Unfortunately, there are no obvious causes for experiencing foot cramps. Anyone can experience them for a variety of different reasons. 

What Causes Foot Cramps?

Maybe excessive foot cramps have been waking you up in the middle of the night or otherwise impacting your day-to-day life. You’re probably wondering what causes foot cramps and how to treat them. Well, in order to understand foot cramps, you have to know a little about muscles and how they work. For instance, all muscles work in pairs. In order to work together, there must be a muscle that contracts (the agonist) and one that relaxes (the antagonist). Having an agonist and antagonist allows you to sustain smooth and controlled movements. When you’re running, for example, your quadriceps act as agonists, while your hamstrings act as antagonists. When the hamstring doesn’t relax correctly, the muscle will cramp. The same thing will happen if your quadriceps contract unexpectedly with a lot of force. 

So, how can we answer the question of why your foot arches might be cramping recently? There are a number of factors that can make cramps in feet more likely to occur. It might feel like these cramps are hitting you out of nowhere. They can occur during the day or at night, and can be associated with fatigue and illness. Anyone can experience foot arch cramps, but they’re more commonly experienced over the age of 80. Here are some of the reasons you might be getting foot cramps. 

Inactivity

You might find yourself experiencing cramps in feet more often if you’re not an active person. Sitting for long periods of time can cause cramps, especially during the nighttime. Additionally, you might be more at risk for experiencing cramps if you sit with poor posture. Poor posture can lead to nerve compression and inhibit blood flow to your feet. These are two crucial risk factors for developing cramps. 

Dehydration

It is possible you are not drinking enough water throughout the day. Perhaps you have some sort of illness that could be dehydrating you, like diarrhea. Even if you feel well, something as simple as exercising in excessive heat can dehydrate you. When your body gets dehydrated, it is drained of fluids, minerals, and salts. Being low on fluids and electrolytes can cause your muscles to be more prone to cramps and spasms. Make sure you are drinking the appropriate amount of fluids throughout the day. Do this to avoid cramps and the plethora of other issues that arise when a person gets dehydrated. 

Lack of Vitamins and Minerals

In order for our bodies to function properly, we need the correct amount of vitamins and minerals. Getting the proper nutrients makes us less susceptible to muscle cramps in general. Being low or deficient in Vitamins D, E, and B6 could contribute to cramps in feet. Additionally, you might want to check your levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. All of these vitamins and minerals promote healthy muscles and nerves. Not only are they vital to your health, but a deficiency might explain why you are getting foot cramps. 

Health Issues

There are a few medical conditions that are actually associated with foot cramps. These include structural issues with the body, such as peripheral arterial disease or spinal stenosis. Metabolic issues like anemia, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, as well as diabetes, can also cause muscle cramps. Other conditions like osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and nerve damage can also affect the muscles in your feet, causing them to cramp. 

How to Treat Foot Arch Cramps

Treating foot cramps is a little more complicated than one might think. As there’s not usually an obvious cause, you’ll have to treat the underlying causes first. You should keep yourself hydrated, active, and eat a well-balanced diet. In addition, it’s important to stretch your muscles each day. Keeping your muscles, especially your foot muscles, loose is extra important to prevent cramping. The more relaxed your muscles feel, the less likely they are to cramp. You might also want to try wearing more comfortable shoes, lowering your alcohol intake, and taking warm baths. You can also apply heat to or massage the affected area in order to relax the muscle. 

Need Foot Care in the Algonquin, IL Area?

Are you looking for a foot specialist in the Algonquin, IL area to check out a potential foot condition? Check us out at Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois. We are dedicated to helping our patients get better and back on their feet. Book an appointment online today to get an expert’s opinion.