WHILE it’s all good having fun in the sun, failing to stay hydrated during soaring temperatures could lead to some chilling outcomes.
Feeling dizzy, a dry mouth and dark yellow-coloured pee are the symptoms of dehydration we’ve become accustomed to.
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But a doctor has now warned of an unsightly symptom that could appear in the legs if you’re not drinking enough H2O, as well as not getting enough vital nutrients like magnesium.
Dr Paul Wischmeyer, an anesthesiologist at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, shared a shocking video online of what appears to be an “alien creature” wriggling around in someone’s leg.
In the clip, a patient’s calf looks to have something inside it moving around.
But rather than revealing proof of extraterrestrial life, Dr Wischmeyer explained it was a case of severe leg muscle cramps.
He said: “Leg cramp is an episode of sudden pain in the muscles of the leg caused by an involuntary and forcibly contracting (shortening) of that muscle that does not relax.
“The video shows a visible and palpable hardening of the involved muscle.
“Most cramps occur in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs and can last from a few seconds up to 10 to 15 minutes.
“They’re extremely common, and can be very frustrating for patient and physician alike, in part because most cases of leg cramps are idiopathic (unknown cause).”
The expert compared this particular case to an “alien creature”.
In some cases, leg cramps could be caused by not drinking enough water and low magnesium levels.
He warned: “Low magnesium can cause some muscle cramps, so avoid dehydration and maintain your magnesium levels.”
Fortunately, leg cramp is usually harmless.
But Dr Wischmeyer advised that if you’re getting an assessment, to make sure they check for peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.
Other disorders might also present as leg cramps, such as tetany, myalgia, and restless legs syndrome.
There’s no specific medical treatment for leg cramps, but calcium-channel blockers, such as diltiazem, are effective at treating nocturnal leg cramps, said the doctor.
The NHS says during a cramp, it might help to stretch and massage the muscle to ease the pain.
Regular calf-stretching exercises may also help to reduce cramps.
But if leg cramps are disturbing your sleep, you have numbness or swelling in your legs, or have cramps that last longer than 10 minutes, the health service recommends seeing your GP.
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It says possible causes are:
- Ageing
- Putting too much strain on muscles during exercise, which can be worse in hot weather
- Pregnancy
- Certain medicines, like drugs for lowering cholesterol
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Liver disease because of drinking too much alcohol
Dehydration danger
These are some of the health problems that could occur if you don’t drink enough fluids…
Heat exhaustion or heatstroke
If you don’t drink enough fluids and you’re exercising a lot, you could end up with heat exhaustion and potentially life-threatening heatstroke.
Heart problems
Untreated severe dehydration can cause problems with your heart and circulatory system.
When you’re dehydrated, there’s less blood pumping around the body, which can lead to low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting.
The heart can also start beating faster in an attempt to move blood around the body, and this can result in palpitations.
Blood can also become thicker, which increases the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.
Kidney problems
Prolonged or repeated bouts of dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones and kidney failure.
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