Leg Cramps with Alcoholism and High Blood Pressure

Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which the body relies on alcohol to keep going. This is often considered an obsession, and is a very dangerous chronic illness that can cause serious body problems and mental problems. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are similar but not always classified together. One of the big things that go with alcoholism is leg cramps. Many alcoholics get leg cramps regularly and it can cause serious pain in addition to other alcoholism symptoms.

Drinking alcohol causes your body to become dehydrated, which is a main cause of leg cramps. Most alcoholics will continue to feel these leg cramps until they stop their alcoholic behaviors. Dependency on alcohol also causes irritability, laziness, inability to concentrate, and retarded brain cells.

What Causes Alcoholics to have leg cramps?

Genetics and mental habits are largely a part of why alcoholics develop alcoholism and why leg cramps happen in those individuals. Dehydration and how their body processes alcohol are two main factors in why it causes those pains. Most of the time a drunk won’t even notice they are having a leg cramp, which can lead to accidental injuries if they fall and hurt themselves.

High blood pressure is also a side effect of being an alcoholic, but can also be caused by a number of things. High blood pressure often requires a need for blood pressure medication. These pills are often diuretics to help eliminate the salt from your body – thus lowering blood pressure significantly. Blood pressure pills can cause leg cramps because they also cause dehydration.

Alcoholics that have high blood pressure get a double whammy when it comes to these cramps, and relief is only possible through a few different methods.

Leg Cramp Relief:

Alcoholics and those with high blood pressure resulting from alcoholism should stop drinking immediately. The sooner they become sober the faster they can help their bodies recover. Leg cramps will continue until the person decides to stop drinking. Dehydration can be fixed by drinking plenty of water and electrolytes. Leg cramps can be controlled by taking pain relievers or muscle relaxers – but these cannot be taken if the individual is consuming alcohol.

Leg cramps affect most people, but alcoholics get them more often than most on a regular basis. If someone you know or love suffers from alcoholism and leg cramps  - seek help for them immediately to further prevent self injury.