Since centuries alcohol is considered to be a social drink. However, many people do not realize that drinking even small amount of alcohol has several untoward consequences on health. After drinking, alcohol is absorbed in the blood and gets distributed throughout the body. Alcohol abuse for long duration can seriously jeopardize a person’s life. The toxic substances present in alcohol can have bad effects on each and every cell.
Consuming alcohol can have long term as well as short term effects on health. One of the bad effects in short period of time after drinking alcohol is aches and cramps in leg.
For example one person may experience cramps in extremities after drinking a small glass of wine. Another person may get leg pains after fair amount of alcohol consumption. Let us know the reasons for cramps in leg after drinking alcohol.
What Causes Leg Cramps After Drinking Alcohol?
Leg cramps and pain in calf muscle is common problem in many people. Cramps can also occur in thigh muscles as well as in muscles of feet.
There are two main reasons for pain and cramps in leg after heavy drinking. Alcohol drinking causes accumulation of lactic acid in the body. Build up large amount of lactic acid in muscles of legs can produce pain and cramps.
Another leading cause for pain in legs associated with alcohol drinking is loss of fluid from the body. It is well known fact that drinking too much of alcohol causes dehydration. It causes too much of urination. Important salts such as potassium, magnesium and sodium get depleted due to excess loss of water from the body. Imbalance of electrolyte and minerals leads to pain and cramps in muscles, especially the muscles of leg.
Spasms in leg muscles can be one of the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy. Drinking too much of alcohol can damage peripheral nerves. Drinking can cause vitamin deficiency especially vitamin B12, B6, folate and niacin. These vitamins help the nerves to function at its optimum. Deficiency of these vitamins can cause damage to the peripheral nerves. Diabetics who drink are more vulnerable to this problem.
How To Prevent Leg Cramps After Drinking?
You will not suffer from leg cramps associated due to alcohol if you do not drink in first place. However, there are simple ways where you can reduce its occurrence after drinking.
Drink enough water at night and even while drinking alcohol. It not only helps to keep your body well hydrated, it also reduces the accumulation of lactic acid which is one of the causes for cramps in legs after drinking alcohol.
Eat when you drink, especially carbohydrates. Consume vitamin supplements regularly if you are feeling tingling and pain in legs caused due to alcohol.