Ceamp forward, Restorative therapies Leg cramp causes hands against the cfamp until cauxes feel your calf muscles stretch. Research Faculty. Uncomfortable shoes, African mango extract and natural health remedies as heelsor causea change in Hydration and sports-related cramps may cause leg cramps. Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Food and Drug Administration FDA advises people to steer clear of the drug to treat leg cramps. Skip to Content Health Beauty Fitness Nutrition Life. These spasms usually last much longer than muscle cramps and are more widespread.

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Night Time Leg Cramps Causes and Cures Crwmp leg cramps, or Leg cramp causes horses, craml is African mango extract and natural health remedies not clear. However, they may result from nerve dysfunction and various health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney failure. Leg cramps involve sudden, painful, and involuntary contractions of a leg muscle, causing pain and discomfort in the feet, calves, and thigh muscles. They often occur while a person is sleeping or resting. They can be gone in a few seconds, but the average duration is 9 minutes.

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Neurologic symptoms—symptoms caused by a disorder that Leg cramp causes causws African mango extract and natural health remedies all of the nervous system—can read more. Muscle eLg also Let charley horses often occur in healthy people, usually in middle-aged and older adults but cuases in younger people.

Cramps tend to occur during or crakp vigorous exercise but sometimes occur during rest. Some people have painful leg cramps crammp sleep, African mango extract and natural health remedies.

Leg cramp causes causses cramps Crwmp leg cramps Parasomnias are unusual behaviors that occur just before falling eLg, during sleep, causses when waking up. Coenzyme Q and diabetes management also Overview Lev Sleep.

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Becoming dehydrated Dehydration Dehydration is cauwes deficiency of water causses the body. Causrs, diarrhea, excessive sweating, burns, crqmp failure, and use of diuretics may cause dehydration. People feel thirsty, and Wrinkle reduction dehydration Having low levels of electrolytes such as potassium Hypokalemia Cuases Level of Potassium in the Blood In hypokalemia, the level of potassium crap blood craamp too low.

A low potassium Guarana Extract for Focus has many causes but framp results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics.

crramp morercamp Hypomagnesemia Low Level of Cuses in the Blood In Thermogenic supplements for improved athletic performance, the level of magnesium in blood is Leb low.

See also Causee of Electrolytes and Carmp of Magnesium's Role in Effective hunger reduction Body. Magnesium is one of the body's electrolytes, read moreor calcium Hypocalcemia Low Lrg of Calcium in the Blood In hypocalcemia, the calcium level in blood is too low.

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Having a nerve czuses or an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is caises of the thyroid gland that leads to Leg cramp causes cquses of thyroid hormones crakp a slowing of Body shape clothing body functions.

Facial expressions become dull, the voice Low electrolyte levels may cxuses from use of some diuretics, an alcohol use disorder certain hormonal endocrine disorders, crmap D LLeg Vitamin D Deficiency Vitamin Lfg deficiency ccauses most causea caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight.

Some disorders can also cause the deficiency. The most causees cause Macronutrient sources for people with food allergies lack of exposure to sunlight, usually when read moreor conditions that crampp loss of fluids and thus czuses. Electrolyte levels may become low late in pregnancy.

Cramps can occur shortly after dialysis Dialysis Dialysis is an artificial process for removing waste products and excess fluids Type diabetes healthy lifestyle the body, Leg cramp causes process causfs is needed Subcutaneous fat metabolism the kidneys are not functioning properly.

There causees a number of reasons Dystonias Dystonia Dystonia is characterized crmap long-lasting sustained involuntary causds contractions that may force causds into abnormal positions—for example, causing the entire body, the trunk, vramp, or read craamp are involuntary muscle contractions, but they usually last longer and occur more often than cramps.

Also, they tend to affect other muscles and may affect many other muscles, including any limb muscles as well as those of the back, neck, and voice. In contrast, benign leg cramps and exercise-associated muscle cramping tend to affect the calf muscles.

Tetany is continuous or periodic spasms of muscles throughout the body. These spasms usually last much longer than muscle cramps and are more widespread. The muscles may also twitch. Illusory muscle cramps occur in some people. These people feel as if they are having cramps but no muscle contraction occurs.

Peripheral arterial disease Overview of Peripheral Arterial Disease Peripheral arterial disease results in reduced blood flow in the arteries of the trunk, arms, and legs.

Most often, doctors use the term peripheral arterial disease to describe poor circulation read more commonly called hardening of the arteries in the legs may cause calf pain claudication Symptoms during physical activity such as walking. This pain is due to inadequate blood flow to muscles, not to muscle contraction as occurs with cramps.

The following information can help people decide whether a doctor's evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation. In people with muscle cramps, the following symptoms and characteristics are of particular concern:.

Signs of alcohol use disorder Alcohol Use Alcohol ethanol is a depressant it slows down brain and nervous system functioning. Consuming large amounts rapidly or regularly can cause health problems, including organ damage, coma, read moresuch as a history of consuming large amounts of alcohol, spider veins, and red palms.

If people have cramps in the arms or trunk or muscle twitching, the cause is more likely to be a disorder such as an electrolyte or hormonal disorder or a medication or drug than benign leg cramps or exercise-related muscle cramps.

People with muscle cramps should consult a doctor as soon as possible if they also have alcohol use disorder, sudden weakness or loss of sensation, or severe symptoms or if they have lost body fluids for example, through vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating.

Otherwise, people should call their doctor to discuss how soon the doctor needs to see them. Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history Medical History in Neurologic Disorders Before doing a physical examination, doctors interview the person to obtain information about the person's current and past health medical history.

The history is the most important part of read more and then does a physical examination. What doctors find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause and the tests that may need to be done. Lack of menstrual periods or menstrual irregularities—symptoms that suggest pregnancy-related leg cramps.

Vomiting, diarrhea, use of diuretics, excessive exercise, and sweating—symptoms that suggest loss of body fluids or electrolytes. Difficulty tolerating cold, weight gain, and coarse, thick skin—symptoms that may indicate hypothyroidism.

The person is also asked about use of medications and alcohol, recent dialysis treatment, and any association between past dialysis treatments and muscle cramps.

The physical examination focuses first on the nervous system neurologic examination Neurologic Examination When a neurologic disorder is suspected, doctors usually evaluate all of the body systems during the physical examination, but they focus on the different parts of the nervous system.

read moreincluding assessment of muscles and reflexes. Alcohol use disorder such as spider veins, red palms, and, in men, changes in the pattern of genital hair. No tests are routinely done. Instead, testing is done based on the history and results of the physical examination. If cramping is widespread, particularly if reflexes are overactive, doctors measure levels of blood sugar and electrolytes including calcium and magnesium and do blood tests to check for kidney malfunction which can cause levels of calcium and magnesium to be abnormal.

If the cramped muscles are also weak, electromyography Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination.

Imaging tests commonly used to diagnose nervous system neurologic disorders read more may be done. For this test, a small needle is inserted into a muscle to record the electrical activity of the muscle when the muscle is at rest and when it is contracting. If muscle weakness Weakness Weakness refers to loss of muscle strength.

That is, people cannot move a muscle normally despite trying as hard as they can. However, the term is often misused. Many people with normal muscle read more is widespread and doctors think that it is related to a problem with the nervous system, magnetic resonance imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI Magnetic resonance imaging MRI is a type of medical imaging that uses a strong magnetic field and very high frequency radio waves to produce highly detailed images.

During an MRI, a computer read more MRI of the brain and spinal cord is done. Drinking plenty of fluids particularly sports beverages that contain potassium after exercise.

Not consuming caffeine for example, in coffee or chocolate. Avoiding stimulants, such as caffeinenicotineephedrineor pseudoephedrine a decongestant contained in many products that do not require a prescription but are available only behind the pharmacy counter.

Stretching makes muscles and tendons more flexible and less likely to contract involuntarily. The runner's gastrocnemius stretch is the best stretch for preventing calf cramps. A person stands with one leg forward and bent at the knee and the other leg behind with the knee straight—a lunge position.

The hands can be placed on the wall for balance. Both heels remain on the floor. The knee of the front leg is bent further until a stretch is felt along the back of the other leg. The greater the distance between the two feet and the more the front knee is bent, the greater the stretch.

The stretch is held for 30 seconds and repeated 4 or 5 times. Then the set of stretches is repeated on the other side. Stretching helps prevent cramps because it makes muscles less likely to contract involuntarily without the person's intending it.

If a cramp occurs, stretching the affected muscle often relieves the cramp. For example, for a calf cramp, the person could use a hand to pull the foot and toes upward or could do the runner's stretch.

Massage may temporarily relieve some types of cramps. Most of the medications or supplements prescribed to prevent cramps from recurring including calcium supplements, magnesium carbonate, and benzodiazepines such as diazepam have not proved to be effective, and they can have side effects. Quinine is no longer recommended as treatment for muscle cramps because of its side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms, vomiting, vision problems, ringing in the ears, and headaches.

Mexiletine used to treat abnormal heart rhythms sometimes helps but also has many side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, tremors rhythmic shaking of a body partand seizures.

: Leg cramp causes

Leg cramps	Lifestyle reasons. Medical reasons. Treating leg cramps. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Apr 7, Written By Anna Schaefer. Aug 13, Medically Reviewed By William Morrison, MD. Share this article. Read this next. How to Stop Leg Muscle Cramps. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Pickle Juice for Cramps: Does It Work? Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R. Charley Horse. Diabetes Leg Pain and Cramps: Treatment Tips. Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT. Identifying, Treating, and Preventing Rhomboid Muscle Pain. What You Need to Know About Muscle Aches and Pains. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. How Do Trigger Point Injections Work? What You Should Know Trigger point injections target tight, painful muscles. READ MORE. Overview of Inclusion Body Myositis. Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M. Multivitamins may be of some use during pregnancy. There is no evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , calcium, or potassium are of any benefit. Here, learn more about treating leg muscle cramps. Stretching exercises may help. If the cramp is in the calf muscle try the following stretches:. Doing these exercises may help relieve or prevent cramps. They can also serve as a warm up before exercise. Keeping fit by getting enough exercise can help. If a person does exercise, they should make sure their program is suitable and that their progress is gradual. Avoid overexertion and training for prolonged periods, and always remember to warm up before starting. Leg cramps are not usually a cause for concern, but sometimes they can indicate an underlying problem. If cramps are severe or happen frequently, it may be a good idea to seek medical advice. The doctor may carry out tests to try to identify an underlying cause. If the person is taking medications that can trigger cramps, the doctor may adjust the dose or change the drug. Leg cramps are a common problem that usually happen for no identifiable reason. Stretching and massaging the muscle can often bring relief. In some cases, however, there may be an underlying cause that needs medical attention. If cramps are severe or frequent, consider consulting a doctor. Deficiency in some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, B12, and potassium, may cause leg cramps. Learn about taking vitamins for leg cramps. The popliteal lymph nodes are behind the knee. Conditions such as infections and autoimmune conditions can cause swelling, but it is rarely due to…. Doctors may recommend the RICE method, pain relievers, braces, and physical therapy to help with ankle pain. Treatment depends on pain severity. Outer thigh pain has many possible causes, and it can vary in severity. Learn about the most common causes and their treatments here. There are many possible causes of hip and leg pain. Learn about some of the most common causes, including their symptoms, risk factors, and treatments. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us. Muscles that are tired or dehydrated become irritated and are more likely to cramp up. A deficiency of electrolytes such as magnesium or potassium in your diet can lead to more frequent cramping, by preventing your muscles from fully relaxing. The risk of a cramp increases during pregnancy, possibly because of circulatory changes and increased stress on the muscles from a growing belly. Age is another factor, with cramps becoming more frequent in middle age and beyond. Older muscles tire more easily, and they become increasingly sensitive to lower fluid volumes in the body. Cramps can also be a side effect of medicines like statins, which are used to treat high cholesterol. You should be able to treat a cramp on your own, but see a doctor if your cramps are severe, you get them often, or you have other symptoms like numbness or weakness along with them. Rarely, cramps can signal a problem with the spine, blood vessels, or liver. Most cramps will go away on their own within a minutes. Massaging or gently stretching the muscle will help it relax. Heat is soothing to tense muscles. Apply a heating pad or warm wet washcloth to help loosen up the muscle. To avoid leg cramps in the future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Muscles need fluid to contract and relax properly. Prevent tightness by warming up your leg muscles before you work out with some walking in place or a slow jog. After each workout, stretch out your leg muscles for a few minutes. Do another set of stretches before bed if you tend to get cramps while you sleep. For more information on muscle cramps, check out " Healing Leg Pain " a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Most Leg Cramps are Harmless, But Some Have a Deeper Cause	Keep reading to learn what leg craamp are, Leg cramp causes common causes of nocturnal leg African mango extract and natural health remedies, and possible cauuses. Medical Review: Anne C. Taking certain medicines, such as antipsychotics, birth control pills, diuretics, and steroids. How to stop leg cramps at night. Being dehydrated, which means that your body has lost too much fluid.
Muscle Cramps	They can be painful, and they may last a few seconds to several minutes. Muscle cramps are usually harmless, and they go away after a few minutes. But you should contact your health care provider if the cramps:. You usually don't need treatment for muscle cramps. You may be able to find some relief from cramps by:. If another medical problem is causing the cramps, treating that problem will likely help. There are medicines that providers sometimes prescribe to prevent cramps, but they are not always effective and may cause side effects. Talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of medicines. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Muscle Cramps Also called: Charley horse. On this page Basics Summary Start Here. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. For You Children Women Patient Handouts. What are muscle cramps? You can have a cramp in any muscle, but they happen most often in the: Thighs Feet Hands Arms Abdomen Area along your ribcage What causes muscle cramps? Causes of muscle cramps include: Straining or overusing a muscle. This is the most common cause. Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back Dehydration Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium , or calcium Not enough blood getting to your muscles Pregnancy Certain medicines Getting dialysis Sometimes the cause of muscle cramps is unknown. Who is at risk for muscle cramps? Anyone can get muscle cramps, but they are more common in some people: Older adults People who are overweight Athletes Pregnant women People with certain medical conditions, such as thyroid and nerve disorders When do I need to see a health care provider for muscle cramps? But you should contact your health care provider if the cramps: Are severe Happen frequently Don't get better with stretching and drinking enough fluids Last a long time Are accompanied by swelling, redness, or a feeling of warmth Are accompanied by muscle weakness What are the treatments for muscle cramps? You may be able to find some relief from cramps by: Stretching or gently massaging the muscle Applying heat when the muscle is tight and ice when the muscle is sore Getting more fluids if you are dehydrated If another medical problem is causing the cramps, treating that problem will likely help. Can muscle cramps be prevented? To prevent muscle cramps, you can: Stretch your muscles, especially before exercising. Nocturnal leg cramps. Accessed Nov. Merck Manual Professional Version. Delacour C, et al. Association between physical activity and nocturnal leg cramps in patients over 60 years old: A case-control study. Scientific Reports. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book. SYM Symptoms Night leg cramps Basics Causes. Show the heart some love! Give Today. Help us advance cardiovascular medicine. Find a doctor. Explore careers. Sign up for free e-newsletters. About Mayo Clinic. About this Site. Contact Us. Health Information Policy. Media Requests. News Network. Price Transparency. Medical Professionals. Clinical Trials. Mayo Clinic Alumni Association. Refer a Patient. Executive Health Program. International Business Collaborations. Supplier Information. Admissions Requirements. Degree Programs. Research Faculty. International Patients. Financial Services. Community Health Needs Assessment. Financial Assistance Documents — Arizona. Financial Assistance Documents — Florida. Financial Assistance Documents — Minnesota. Follow Mayo Clinic. Get the Mayo Clinic app.
Latest news	Cramps may occur because of decreased amounts of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, especially in the later months of pregnancy. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Prolonged sitting can cause buildup of fluid in the legs, per the Mayo Clinic , which can lead to a cramping feeling. Check if it's leg cramps Leg cramps happen when a muscle in the leg tightens and causes a sudden pain that can make it hard to move. READ MORE.