4. Potassium Levels
Potassium is an essential electrolyte found in the body. It helps to control nerve and muscle cell functioning. If you do not eat enough foods that contain potassium, you may experience muscle cramping, particularly in your legs and your feet. Hypokalemia is a disorder that causes a person to have low levels of potassium. People who suffer from hypokalemia may experience muscle cramping regularly.
The symptoms of hypokalemia are often mild, but when the potassium levels become severely low, a person may experience fatigue, weakness, abnormal heartbeats, constipation, and cramping in their muscles. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor will test your urine and blood to determine potassium levels.
Eating foods such as bananas can help to increase your levels of potassium quickly and minimize cramping. If you are diagnosed with hypokalemia, your doctor may prescribe medications to help ease some of the symptoms that you are experiencing.