Get to know the various causes of frequent hand cramps and how to overcome them

 The causes of frequent hand cramps or numbness can range from a lack of minerals such as magnesium, dehydration, to more serious conditions such as kidney disease. So, how to deal with it can vary, depending on the initial cause.

Feeling your hands often cramp is certainly uncomfortable, it can even interfere with activities. Hand cramps make it difficult for a person to clench or even pick things up with their hands If your hands are cramping regularly, it could be a symptom of another medical problem.If frequent hand cramps feel so annoying, don't delay to see a doctor. Thus, the triggers can be known and how to avoid them so that they do not recur.

Causes of frequent hand cramps
Some of the common causes of frequent hand cramps include:
1. Magnesium deficiency
Magnesium is a mineral that maintains bone strength while relaxing muscles. Including, preventing frequent hand cramps. Magnesium can also prevent restless leg syndrome or eye twitching. People who are deficient in magnesium usually also experience headaches, asthma, PMS, insomnia, and lethargy.
2. Dehydration
For people who are mildly dehydrated or severely dehydrated , frequent hand cramps can be a symptom. The connection is when a person is dehydrated, then muscle function cannot run optimally so that it is prone to cramps.Symptoms of dehydration that also accompanies such as bad breath, fever, chills, dry skin, headaches, to the desire to continue eating sweet foods.
3. Poor blood circulation
Poor blood circulation occurs when blood flow is not smooth. This means that blood, nutrients, and oxygen are not properly distributed throughout the body. Symptoms of this blockage of blood circulation can be felt in the hands, arms, and legs.In addition, there are other symptoms such as tingling, pain, numbness , to pain like being pricked. Do not underestimate this symptom because it can cause other complications.
4. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Just as complaints of hot ,, frequent hand cramps can also indicate carpal tunnel syndrome . This occurs when the nerves between the forearm and the palm of the hand are compressed.This nerve is located in the carpal tunnel which consists of bone, tendon, and flexor retinaculum in the wrist. People who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome will feel a burning sensation in the palms, swelling sensations, decreased grip strength, until symptoms worsen when getting up from sitting.
5. Stiff hand syndrome
Frequent hand cramps can also indicate stiff hand syndrome, a complication experienced by diabetics. In sufferers, the hands become thicker so that the movement of the fingers is no longer free. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetics can experience frequent hand cramps due to this syndrome.According to researchers, this condition occurs because there is an increase in glycosyltaion, where sugar molecules attach to protein molecules. When this happens, the production of collagen also increases.
6. Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause frequent hand cramps. Not only in the hands, but also in other parts of the body. Arthritis caused by this autoimmune condition also causes inflammation so that the joints thicken and are no longer flexible.Another symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is joint inflammation that feels symmetrical and occurs in the morning. That is, if one hand experiences it, then the other hand will also feel the same.
7. Kidney disease
If the kidneys have problems and cannot get rid of waste substances from the body or balance the body's fluid levels, there will be an imbalance between electrolytes and fluids. Thus, it is very susceptible to cramps in all parts of the body, especially the legs.In addition, there will be other accompanying symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of appetite, swollen hands and feet, continuous itching, nausea, and vomiting.

How to deal with frequent hand cramps

 
If your hand cramping occurs only occasionally and doesn't interfere with your activities, it could be because of the wrong position during sleep or activity. But if the frequency is so frequent and bothersome, get checked out immediately to see if this is an indication of a medical problem.heart attack .Hand cramps are often treated according to the trigger. When the disease that causes hand cramps has healed, these symptoms should subside on their own. Here are some things you can do to treat cramps in your hands according to the cause.

    Increase consumption of green vegetables

Green leafy vegetables along with whole grains are natural sources of magnesium which are healthy for the body. If the cause of your hand cramps is a lack of magnesium, then eating foods that can be a natural source of magnesium can be a solution.Your doctor may also advise you to take magnesium-boosting supplements. Keep in mind that you should not take supplements unless it is recommended by your doctor to avoid overdosing.

    Increase consumption of water or electrolyte fluids

Because dehydration can be one of the causes of frequent hand cramps, increasing fluid intake can be done to overcome it. In addition to water, you can also increase the amount of fluid in your body by consuming electrolytes, which are now widely available in packs in stores.

    Enough rest

If the cause of your cramping hands is carpal tunnel syndrome, then you should start paying attention to your work rhythm. It never hurts to give yourself a break from time to time, especially if symptoms have started to appear. You can also compress your hands using a cold compress.

    Regular exercise

Regular exercise, especially those that train the hand area such as throwing a ball will not only be healthy for the body, but also can train the strength and flexibility of the hands, so it is not easy to feel stiff and cramped. Exercise will also help you lower your blood sugar levels and prevent cramps from coming back.

    Consumption of drugs

In certain conditions, the doctor will also prescribe drugs to treat cramps that appear in the hands. In cramps caused by arthritis, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or other types of drugs can be prescribed to relieve cramps and pain.
How to prevent frequent hand cramps
Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, frequent hand cramps can be prevented in the following ways:

    Avoid dehydration

Drink lots of fluids every day. The amount depends on what you eat, gender, activity level, weather, health, age and medications you are taking.Fluids can help your muscles contract and relax more, keeping muscle cells hydrated and less cramping. During activity, return fluids periodically, and continue drinking water or other fluids when you are finished.

    Stretch your muscles

Stretch before and after you use any muscle for a long time. If you tend to get leg cramps at night, stretch before bed.Mild exercise, such as riding a stationary bike for a few minutes before bed can also help prevent cramps while you sleep.

In general, how to deal with frequent hand cramps can be by stretching muscles, exercising such as yoga and swimming, increasing fluid intake, and taking vitamin D supplements.