Are you struggling with toe cramping? You find it difficult to stand for long periods as well as to walk because your toes are cramping up on you? And therefore, you are out somewhere in public when this happens and you are yearning to find a place to sit because of the pain? You are not alone. You may also struggle with this at work if your job involves you standing up for long periods. However, your toes are not cramping for no reason. There is a reason behind the discomfort you feel. Let’s go over five common reasons that you may struggle with toe cramping.
You Are Lacking Essential Minerals
If you are low in potassium, calcium, magnesium, or sodium, then you will experience cramping. That can happen in your toes, as well as in your muscles, and you will feel it mostly in your legs. The good news is that there is an easy fix to this. You can eat foods that are high in those minerals such as bananas, potatoes, dairy foods, whole grains, and you can also take supplements as well. If you take supplements that contain those minerals then you should find that your toes are no longer cramping. However, if they still do, there are other reasons behind it as well.
Your Medications Can Be To Blame
Sometimes the medication that you take can be the culprit for your toe cramps. If you are taking statins or diuretics, then that can cause your toes to cramp in addition to other muscles. You will want to tell your doctor about that side effect, and the best they can do is adjust your dosages or find another medication that does not cause muscle cramps to be too strong.
Underlying Medical Conditions
You may have a medical condition that is causing your muscles to cramp such as liver disease and diabetes. Diabetes is a common problem for many Americans and sometimes you are asymptomatic if you have it. However, if diabetes goes unchecked for many years, you have the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy which can cause nerve damage to your toes and fingers. A faulty liver also does not filter out toxins properly and that alone can cause toe cramping.
Overexertion While Not Drinking Enough Water
If you are exercising you will need to ensure that you are drinking your water during and in between workout sessions. If you are dehydrated then that causes your potassium and sodium levels to plummet which are your electrolytes. When that happens, that will cause muscle cramps and you will feel it a lot in your toes. That is a very easy solution for this and that is by drinking enough water as you exercise.
Age
Once you hit your 40s then you begin to lose muscle mass which requires your muscles to work even harder. The way to combat this is by staying active, eating nutritious foods with essential minerals, and drinking enough water. You may still face some cramping in your toes but it won’t be uncontrollable.
The best thing you can do is if you are struggling with toe cramping is to eat electrolyte-rich foods such as dairy, bananas, leafy greens, and almonds. Stay active, and wear comfortable shoes. If you are fortunate enough to live near a beach, walking in the sand may also help you. Before you buy a new pair of shoes you will want to ensure that they are of good quality and ideal for your foot type. You can have a consultation with a podiatrist or sports doctor to help you find the ideal pair of shoes so you are cramping minimally.
