It’s probably safe to say that we’ve all experienced foot pain to some degree. It can be due to an injury, a medical condition, or even a cramp. Foot cramps can be very debilitating and knock you off your feet.

Let’s consider some of the common causes of foot cramps and how we can prevent and treat them.

Cause #1: Exercise

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s recommended that adults get at least “150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity or an equivalent combination.” Unfortunately, many people experience cramps in the feet and other muscles when they strain or overwork their muscles. 

The solution: When you introduce exercise to your daily routine, make sure to increase intensity and duration gradually to avoid cramping.

Cause #2: Medications

We all know that medications have side effects, and sometimes, certain medications will cause cramps. Some of these include:

• Diuretics
• Statins
• Nifedipine
• Nicotinic acid
• Raloxifene

The solution: If you’re receiving treatment with any of these medications, inform your medical professional about the excessive foot cramps you’re experiencing to see if he can offer a different medication.

Cause #3: Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water your body loses exceeds the amount of water intake. When the percentage deficit in total body water is greater than five percent, you will experience symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Thirst
• Headaches
• Foot cramps

The solution: Keep hydrated! Drinking water and other fluids that contain electrolytes will alleviate problems attributed to dehydration.

Cause #4: Pregnancy

Foot cramps are very common among pregnant women. Although the exact cause isn’t always clear, it can be due to fatigue, decreased blood circulation, calcium deficiency, or magnesium deficiency.

The solution: Pregnant women need to avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods, keep hydrated, and take the necessary supplements. They will also alleviate the pain of foot cramps by getting from massages and regularly flexing the foot.

Cause #5: Improper Footwear

The wrong footwear will adversely affect your foot muscle’s ability to support your body weight leading to poor circulation and causing foot cramps.

The solution: To allow your foot the proper mobility, avoid footwear that:

• Doesn’t fit correctly
• Provides inadequate support
• Have thin soles
• Have hard soles

Cause #6: Other Medical Conditions

Foot cramps can be an indicator of more significant underlying health issues you may have. Some conditions include:

• Liver disease. Diseases that affect proper liver function will prevent the body from getting rid of toxins, leading to foot cramps.
• Peripheral neuropathy. Refers to when a disease affects your peripheral nerves leading to foot cramps, leg cramps, and muscle loss.

The solution: Let your podiatrist determine if you’re suffering from one of these medical conditions.

Determine the Correct Cause of Your Cramps

These are just some of the many causes of the foot cramps you’re experiencing. Although it’s essential to make changes to your lifestyle to improve your foot health, sometimes it takes a professional to determine the correct cause of your feet cramping up.

Contact the trusted podiatrists at Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle so we can get correctly diagnose the cause of your ailments and get you on the right treatment plan.