Have you ever woken up to your calf muscle contracting? Muscle cramps, like charley horse cramps in your calves, can be extremely painful. They can occur for a variety of reasons; however, a common cause of muscle cramping in the summertime is dehydration. If you’re experiencing frequent muscle cramps after a hot summer day, you could be dehydrated. Keep reading to learn more about dehydration symptoms and tips for preventing dehydration during the summer months.
At AFC Lyndhurst, our walk-in clinic offers patients in Lyndhurst, NJ with same-day care for many summer ailments, including dehydration symptoms. Our clinic is open 7 days a week, and we don’t require patients to schedule an appointment in advance. Just walk into the office when it’s convenient, or schedule your appointment in advance online using the button below.
Understanding Why Dehydration Causes Muscle Cramping
Dehydration can occur quickly when it’s hot outside. Without fueling with enough water, you can experience symptoms of dehydration. There are many different symptoms of dehydration, and the exact symptoms you experience can vary based on the severity. If you’re very active, you may notice that your muscles cramp. This occurs because of an electrolyte imbalance that can occur after excessive sweating.
Tips for Staying Hydrated & Preventing Dehydration
Dehydration is preventable with proper hydration habits. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dehydration, it is important to address it quickly to prevent severe symptoms from occurring. Dehydration is easily preventable by monitoring your water intake throughout the day. Everyone’s water requirements will be different, but start with 8 large glasses of water per day as a baseline. If you plan on being outside or sweating a lot, be sure to hydrate well beforehand and replace lost electrolytes with drinks like Gatorade.
When to Seek Medical Treatment for Dehydration Symptoms
If you’re experiencing frequent dehydration symptoms, but feel like you’re drinking enough water, it may be time to seek medical care. Your medical provider will be able to run lab tests to determine if there are any underlying conditions that could be causing your symptoms. They will also review your water intake habits and help you come up with a more effective plan moving forward. In severe cases, dehydration may require support with IV fluids to regain proper hydration levels.
Visit AFC Lyndhurst for Walk-In Urgent Care All Summer Long
If you’re experiencing symptoms of dehydration, it is important to ensure you’re taking appropriate steps to rehydrate according to your activity levels and your body's needs. At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, our walk-in urgent care clinic is available 7 days a week to provide rapid symptom diagnosis and treatment for dehydration symptoms.
We accept walk-in patients and don’t require appointments. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for rapid same-day care. We work with most medical insurance plans and offer affordable rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, visit our website or give us a call at (201) 345-3839 to speak with a member of our team.
