Causes:

Alcoholism, dehydration, excessive physical exercise, kidney failure, metabolic problems and pregnancy are all common causes behind such a condition. Leg muscle pain is also brought on by certain medications used by GERD patients. Muscles can become fatigued due to excessive use and cause pain. Low nutrient count in your body can also be a leading cause. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium or sodium should be present in considerable amounts in your blood. A strained muscle can also be very painful. Pain can also be experienced if the leg is not getting enough oxygen.

Symptoms:

The problematic muscle becomes firm or tender. It also bulges out a little. Moreover, the person is not able to use the leg with the muscle cramp. The leg stays sore and swollen even after the pain has subsided.

Diagnosis:

The only way to make sure a muscle cramp is present is to check the area for a bulge. It may be swollen as well. The best time for this is when the person is feeling the pain. In this way, the doctor or whoever is nearby can know that there is a problem.

Treatment:

Stretching and flexing exercises can help relieve the leg muscle pain. You can also gently massage the affected area. Heating pads can be applied. Fluids should be taken to end the pain if it was caused by extensive physical activity. Medication is not usually prescribed for such pains because it is not needed in most cases. If the problem is linked with an underlying condition, then the pain can only be cured by addressing the actual cause.

Prevention:

When you exercise or perform any kind of rigorous physical activity, make sure to hydrate before and after you are done with it. Warm up before you start and cool down slowly when you finish. Stretching sessions can especially help avoid leg muscle pain. Take vitamins and other supplements to keep this pain away during pregnancy. Vitamin E can be taken by any one to get rid of this pain.

Concerns in Old Age:

If you are old, you might want to devise a complete plan to stay fit and pain-free. Intake of fluids at regular intervals along with magnesium and sodium supplements is necessary.

If your muscles are sore from physical activity you may want to ice them. Putting heat on sore muscles is good but start with the ice. Alternating between the two should give you some relief. Try ten minutes of ice, five minute break than ten minutes of heat. A gentle massage may help as well, but the quickest way to battle sore muscles is to keep them stretched out. By continually stretching through the day after vigorous exercise, you keep the muscles warm and limber. You will reduce the severity of the stiff and sore feeling you normally would have gotten.

If the pain you are experiencing is similar to a muscle cramp, or “Charley Horse” as they are often called, it is likely you are not getting enough calcium. By getting more calcium into your system you will be giving your muscles and bones something to grow on, thus eliminating much of your muscle pain. This is a long term solution. For immediate relief you can apply a warm water bottle and gently try to stretch out the muscle with the cramp. If this increases the cramp, stop and gently massage the area. These types of pains usually come and go quickly. Try to get comfortable and work gently on the area in pain.

Another common muscle pain is the very general leg ache. Children seem to suffer from these regularly at night. This is also a common sign of low calcium absorption. Liquid calcium may more effectively be used by your body. For a quick fix a warm bath will ease the ache. If the pain comes in the middle of the night you may not want to take a bath, so using a warm water bottle or heating pad will work as well. Often in adults their legs ache but the distress is not from the leg but back or hip fatigue. Try placing the heating pad under your hips or along your back to loosen up the muscles and see if this gives relief to your legs. You can also apply a hot/cold cream that will relax the muscle. Check for warnings before using these on children.