Dr.Physiotherapist

Abdominal obesity tends to increase with weight gain and is strongly associated with various diseases.They cause due to poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, improper sleep, genetics, smoking, alcohol.Abdominal exercises, such as core conditioning exercises, are often promoted as an effective means to reduce abdominal fat.Abdominal exercises may potentially improve the strength and endurance of abdominal muscles.
Risk factors:
Heart diseases
High blood pressure
Stroke
Type 2 Diabetes
Asthma
Cancer
Alzheimer's disease
Metabolic and vascular diseases

NOCTURNAL LEG CRAMPS(Leg cramps at night) :
Night leg cramps or charley horses or nocturnal leg cramps, are painful, involuntary contractions or spasms of muscles in your legs.They can last several seconds to several minutes. Leg cramps during sleep are more common among women, older adults and less common among childrens.Pregnant women are generally more susceptible to having leg cramps, especially during the second and third trimesters.

Causes:
Dehydration, sore muscles, lack of exercise, prolonged sitting, and also associated with menstrual,pregnancy, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, diabetic, musculoskeletal disorders (osteoarthritis, etc), heart diseases, thyroid.

Treatment:
1. Do Ankle toe movement very frequently.
2.Use a towel to stretch your calf muscles.
3.Apply ice pack for acute pain(15-20mins) and hot pack for chronic pain(10-15mins)
4.Gently massage on the painful area and stretch before going to sleep.
5.Drink plenty of water a day (2-3 litters)
6.Increase your intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium (milk, bananas, oranges, apricots, grapes, cabbage, broccoli, sweet potatoes, yogurt and fish).
7.Make sure you’re wearing properly fitted shoes.
8.Avoid sitting for a longer period.