I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.
-
The Convenience of Online Doctor Appointments 17 April 2024
-
How Speech Pathologists Can Help Your Child Speak Better 10 January 2024
-
Addressing Pain Management: The Role of a Chiropractor 30 November 2023
-
Five Effective Ways to Lose Weight 20 October 2023
Dementia and Your Loved One
Exercises To Help You Deal With Leg Cramps While Driving
Vickie Armstrong
Have you ever had a foot cramp while driving? Such cramps strike suddenly, especially after driving for a long period. Although there are different ways of coping with the situation, exercising your legs and feet will also go a long way in easing your symptoms. Here are a few exercises you can try:
Stretch Your Feet
You can do this exercise while standing or sitting. Its main aim is to boost blood flow in your foot and ease the cramp. All you need to do is to:
- Extend your leg/foot straight in front of you
- Point your toes to the sky and hold for about two seconds
- Point your toes straight ahead and hold for a couple of seconds
- Repeat the last two steps several times for each leg
Rotate Your Ankles
Another exercise to try is ankle rotation. For a long distance drive, your foot tends to remain in one position for a long period. This immobilization strains your ankles muscles, and this contributes to the cramping. For each leg, rotate the ankle by:
- Extending one leg in front of you
- Pointing your toes straight ahead
- Moving your foot in a circle several times
Massage The Affected Area
Massage helps because it increases blood circulation to the affected area. When you rub your feet, you cause the blood vessels to dilate and accept a rush of fresh fluids to the area. This not only helps with relaxation, but it also takes away the stale blood. The result is that you are likely to experience a relief from the cramp.
Move Your Feet And Calves Regularly
Immobility is the main cause of leg or foot cramps while driving. Therefore, you can reduce the intensity of your cramps by moving your legs and stretching your feet and calves regularly. If you are on a long drive, then you should regularly stop get out of the car and walk around a bit. If you can't get out of the car, you will find that even small shifts of leg positions may help with the cramp.
If these exercises do not ease your leg cramps, then the problem may be something else apart from immobility. In that case, you should see a physician as soon as possible. It might be that you are dealing with a neurological condition, have a blood clot, an infection or even a liver disease. If you have leg pain or cramps every time you drive, then you should see a foot specialist, like Christopher E. Hubbard, MD, to help you diagnose it.
Share