What Causes Painful Leg Cramps At Night – Startled from a deep sleep, you suddenly wake up screaming as your lower leg, thigh, or possibly arch of your foot tremble in excruciating pain. This common and painful phenomenon is commonly referred to as “Charlie’s horse”. Find out what causes leg cramps at night and how to prevent and relieve them.
Leg cramps usually occur at night or during rest. You struggle to straighten your leg, stretching your toes forward, perhaps kneading knotty muscles with your thumbs. After the spasms have subsided, you can get up and try some tickling to relax the painful area a bit.
What Causes Painful Leg Cramps At Night
By this time, you are already fully awake and may not fall asleep again. Tight muscles can remain sore for hours or even days.*
Muscle Cramps: Causes And Remedies Based On Latest Science
The nocturnal “Charlie’s horse” is an ancient, global problem. Other languages use terms that translate into phrases such as
Pregnant women and the elderly tend to experience nighttime leg cramps more frequently than other groups, but medical experts say there is often no clear explanation as to why these nighttime leg cramps occur, listing a number of conditions that can cause them. . including including:
If you are prone to leg cramps at night, these 6 tips will help stop them:
Hold the stretch for at least 10 seconds, working up to 30 seconds. And do each stretch 3 to 5 times.
Symptoms Of Vein Problems
The drug quinine, once prescribed to prevent nighttime cramps, is now rarely prescribed for this purpose because the potential for serious side effects outweighs its benefits.
If you have much more frequent or severe attacks of nocturnal seizures, see your doctor for evaluation to rule out a more serious condition.
Don’t confuse nighttime leg cramps with restless leg syndrome (RLS). RLS is irritating and can cause aching sensations, but is usually painless and does not cause cramps. See home remedies for restless leg syndrome.
*Note: If your lower leg or thigh is swollen, warm to the touch, or discolored; if the pain gets worse when you stand up and walk around and doesn’t go away after a minute or two, seek medical attention immediately. Do not knead or massage swollen muscles. These symptoms may signal a serious, potentially life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a deep vein that can travel to the lungs where it blocks blood flow. Sharp and painful leg cramps can cause unpleasant sleep disturbances. Approximately 60% of people Reliable source National Library of Health and Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Review the original report on nocturnal leg cramps. Nocturnal leg cramps, also commonly referred to as “Charlie horses,” are painful involuntary muscle contractions in the legs. View source overnight. Although nighttime leg cramps usually resolve within a few minutes, they are unpleasant and can disrupt sleep to the point of causing problems. The legs and feet are usually the most affected. Nighttime leg cramps are more common in women and the elderly, but anyone can experience them.
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Nighttime leg cramps are a separate condition but are often misdiagnosed as restless leg syndrome (RLS) because both disorders are associated with leg discomfort. Although the symptoms are similar, there are some key differences between these disorders.
You May Have Leg Cramps at Night Verified Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Biotechnology Information Center advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Check out the source code when you try:
Although restless legs syndrome also causes discomfort in the legs at night, its symptoms are different from those of nighttime leg cramps. RLS is characterized by an urge or desire to move the legs Verified Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Viewing the Source in the evening. Other Symptoms Reliable Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Biotechnology Information Center promotes science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Viewing the source code may include:
Symptoms of nighttime leg cramps and RLS often overlap. Therefore, it can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose nighttime leg cramps. To help your doctor figure out what’s causing your leg discomfort, keep track of your symptoms and keep detailed records of your doctor’s appointments.
Homeopathic Medicines For Leg Cramps!
Nocturnal leg cramps may last only a few seconds and usually do not last more than 10 minutes. You may feel soreness or loss of strength in your legs the day after the attack. Stretching your lower leg or foot during a cramp can relieve severe pain.
Leg cramps can be uncomfortable and painful. Pain at night can disrupt sleep. The exact causes of nocturnal leg cramps are unknown. However, there are some factors that can increase the likelihood of leg cramps at night.
Medications: Some medications, such as diuretics, steroids, and antidepressants, have been linked to nighttime leg cramps. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking if you experience leg cramps during the night.
Pregnancy: Leg cramps are common in pregnant women, although some experts believe that pregnancy-related leg cramps are different from nocturnal leg cramps. Researchers aren’t sure if these leg cramps are caused by the pregnancy itself or by the lack of blood flow in the veins as a result of the pregnancy. Magnesium supplements have been shown to reduce leg cramps during pregnancy, but you should check with your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Causes Of Muscle Spasms And Cramps
Dehydration: Not drinking enough water throughout the day can lead to dehydration. Dehydration causes muscle weakness and cramps. Verified Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Biotechnology Information Center advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View the source code. In particular, leg cramps at night are not associated with dehydration, but drinking water is still important. The exact amount of water you should drink each day depends on your body weight, activity level, medications you take, and local climate.
Prolonged Standing: Prolonged standing may increase risk of nighttime leg cramps Reliable Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source that makes leg cramps a problem for people who have to stand while working. A break from standing and time to elevate your legs can help.
Exercises. Gym workouts or team sports can lead to muscle spasms. When the muscles get tired or overtired. A Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Biotechnology Information Center advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Source, they may be more susceptible to seizures. Exercise-related muscle cramps can be mistaken for nocturnal leg cramps if they occur at night. Stretching during exercise-induced cramps has been shown to help relieve pain.
Alcohol: Studies of people over 60 years of age show that those who drink alcohol are more likely to report it. A Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Biotechnology Information Center advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. To see the source of night cramps in the legs. These cramps may be the result of alcohol’s ability to damage muscle fibers, but more research is needed.
The People’s Pharmacy
While the exact cause of nighttime leg cramps is unknown, there are ways to reduce the chance of them occurring. As a rule, leg cramps do not indicate the presence of serious health problems. However, if you often experience leg cramps, you should see your doctor. You can reduce the chance of leg cramps by:
Hydration: Hydrating throughout the day can help reduce the frequency of muscle cramps, as dehydration can cause cramps. While some research suggests that nighttime leg cramps are not caused by dehydration, drinking water can help during long periods of outdoor activity or strenuous activity. There are also studies that suggest that drinking pickle juice. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information promotes science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Viewing the source code during an attack helps to quickly stop an attack.
Stretching. Stretching or yoga before bed can help reduce the frequency and intensity of nighttime leg cramps. Research shows that the expansion of reliable sources of the National Library of Medicine, the National Center for Biotechnology Information contributes to the development of science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. Viewing the source before bed helps reduce leg cramps and pain after about six weeks.
Baths: Some people claim that taking a bath Verified source National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source helps relieve their nighttime fits,
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