Common Causes
Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs.
Related Conditions
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ( NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve tenderness after a cramp. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can work as well. If frequent cramps are disrupting your sleep, make an appointment with your doctor. They might prescribe a muscle relaxant to prevent cramps.
What are leg cramps and what causes them?
Medicines that have leg cramps as a side effect include: Albuterol/Ipratropium (Combivent®). Conjugated estrogens. Clonazepam (Klonopin®). Diuretics. Gabapentin (Neurontin®).
What are the treatments for leg cramps?
What medicine causes leg cramps in women?
What is the best treatment for leg cramps?
Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles. Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot shower onto the cramped muscle also can help. Alternatively, massaging the cramped muscle with ice may relieve pain.
How do you stop leg cramps immediately?
What can I do to make leg cramps go away if they happen?Stretch. Straighten your leg and then flex it, pulling your toes towards your shin to stretch the muscles.Massage. Use your hands or a roller to massage the muscles.Stand. Get up. ... Walk. ... Apply heat. ... Apply cold. ... Pain killers. ... Elevate.
Can leg cramps be treated?
Most cases of leg cramps can be treated with exercises. There are two types of exercise that you can do: exercises you do during an episode of cramping to relieve the pain and stop the cramping. exercises you do during the day to reduce how often you get leg cramps.
Do bananas help with leg cramps?
You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.
What is the best over-the-counter medicine for leg cramps?
Medication. Over-the-counter painkillers won't make the cramping immediately go away, but ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease the pain associated with the cramps.
What is your body lacking when you have leg cramps?
Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals.
What vitamins are good for muscle cramps?
Vitamin B12. Cobalamin, or vitamin B12, is a vitamin that people can find in animal and dairy food . People who have a vitamin B12 deficiency can sometimes experience muscle cramps all over the body.
How do you stop leg cramps in elderly?
Prevention for Leg Cramps in the Elderly Sleep with loose, untucked sheets and comforters to keep your feet pointed upward. Drink plenty of fluids. Stretch your legs (especially your calves and hamstrings) before bed. Wear supportive footwear during the day, especially if you have flat feet.
What are the causes of leg cramps?
If there's no obvious cause of your leg cramps, then you might want to take a look at any recent additions to your medication list, Dr. Sontag says. Diuretics, a class of medications used to lower blood pressure, may trigger cramps because they deplete the body of fluid and salts, he explains. Other medications that may cause leg cramps include osteoporosis drugs like raloxifene and teriparatide; intravenous iron sucrose (used to treat anemia); asthma medications like albuterol; conjugated estrogens (used to treat menopause symptoms); and pain meds like naproxen and pregabalin. Commonly prescribed statins are also associated with muscle cramps in general, he adds. Talk to your doctor if you started taking a new medication at the onset of your leg cramps; Dr. Sontag says he is usually able to find an alternative medication for his patients.
Why do I get cramps in my legs?
If you're low in certain electrolytes and other minerals, that imbalance can trigger spontaneous cramping. An imbalance in sodium, calcium, magnesium, or potassium could all lead to leg cramping, says Gerardo Miranda-Comas, MD, associate program director of the sports medicine fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Sports drinks can help reduce cramps thanks to their sodium, as can eating wisely. Bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach, yogurt, and nuts are rich in those muscle-friendly minerals and may ward off the deficiencies that could cause leg cramps.
What causes numbness in the legs and feet?
Too-high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes can lead to damage to the nerves in the legs, feet, arms, and hands called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This nerve damage often leads to feelings of numbness or tingling, but it can also produce muscle twitching and full-blown leg cramps when the nerves in the legs aren't functioning properly. Diabetes treatment can help prevent any further nerve damage, but a doctor might recommend pain medication or anticonvulsant drugs to tamp down the leg cramps.
Can leg cramps be harmless?
These sudden, involuntary muscle contractions are common and usually harmless, but they can be excruciatingly painful . We asked experts to explain what causes leg cramps and how you can avoid them in the future.
How to stop leg cramps?
If it’s in your calf, flex your foot to attempt to stretch the muscle, or walk around on your heels if the pain isn’t unbearable. Get more information on stopping leg cramps.
What are some activities that cause leg cramps?
There are certain activities that make you more prone to leg cramps. These include exercises that rely heavily on the leg muscles, such as: recreational running. weight training the legs. sports that require a lot of running, such as soccer or basketball.
What does it feel like to have leg cramps?
What leg cramps feel like. Your muscles cramp when they involuntarily contract. This usually feels like a painful knot on your leg muscle and renders it momentarily immobile. Leg cramps are most common in the calf muscle, but they can also happen in the thighs or feet.
How to prevent leg cramps from being too hot?
You can prevent activity-related leg cramps by drinking plenty of water and taking it easy. Avoid exercising when you’re fatigued.
Why do my legs cramp at night?
But it’s also important to note there’s often no explanation at all for leg cramps. Because they often happen at night when our legs are slightly bent and our feet are pointed downward, some have suggested that this tightening triggers a spasm.
Can pregnancy cause leg cramps?
Pregnancy, as well as certain medical conditions, can also increase your risk of experiencing leg cramps. See your doctor if you’re pregnant or have any of these conditions and are experiencing more leg cramps than usual: In addition, medications can contribute to leg cramps, such as:
Can you take a medication for muscle cramps?
But if you have ongoing cramps, speak with your doctor. Currently, there are no medications specifically designed to treat recurring muscle cramps. However, if your cramping is a symptom of another condition, addressing that underlying issue could provide relief. Last medically reviewed on August 13, 2018.
What causes leg cramps?
toxins: in some people, high levels of toxic (poisonous) substances in the blood, such as lead or mercury, can cause leg cramps. dehydration.
How to stop leg cramps?
Preventing leg cramps. If you often get leg cramps, regularly stretching the muscles in your lower legs may help prevent the cramps or reduce their frequency. You might find it useful to stretch your calves before you go to bed each night (see stretching advice above or try this post-exercise calf stretch).
What is it called when your legs are tight?
About leg cramps. Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs. After the cramping has passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your leg for several hours.
How long does a cramp last?
This is known as a spasm, and you cannot control the affected muscle. The cramp can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes. When the spasm passes, you will be able to control the affected muscle again.
How to stretch calf muscles?
To stretch your calf muscles, stand with the front half of your feet on a step, with your heels hanging off the edge. Slowly lower your heels so that they are below the level of the step. Hold for a few seconds before lifting your heels back up to the starting position. Repeat a number of times.
Can you take medication for leg cramps?
Medication is usually only needed in the most persistent cases where cramping does not respond to exercise. If you have secondary leg cramps, treating the underlying cause may help relieve your symptoms. Leg cramps that occur during pregnancy should pass after the baby is born.
Can you go to a GP for leg cramps?
If you only get leg cramps occasionally, it is not a cause for concern and a medical diagnosis is not required. A visit to your GP will only be necessary if you get leg cramps frequently, or if they are so painful they disrupt your sleep and you are unable to function normally the next day.
Can diuretics cause night leg cramps?
People who are taking certain medications, such as certain diuretics, might be more likely to have night leg cramps, although it's not known if there's a direct connection. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is sometimes confused with night leg cramps, but it's a separate condition. In general, pain is not a main feature of RLS, ...
Is RLS painful?
In general, pain is not a main feature of RLS, although some people describe their RLS as being painful. Other conditions that may sometimes be associated with night leg cramps may include:
Can you get night leg cramps while pregnant?
The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of having night leg cramps. Several conditions, such as kidney failure and diabetic nerve damage, are known to cause night leg cramps. But if you have one of these, you're most likely aware of it and have symptoms other than night leg cramps.
What to do for cramps in legs?
Some evidence suggests that drinking a small amount of pickle juice may help relieve muscle cramps. Take an over-the-counter painkiller if your leg is sore after. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ( NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve tenderness after a cramp.
What is it called when you have a cramp in your leg?
Sometimes referred to as muscle spasms or charley horses , they occur when one or more of the muscles in the leg tighten involuntarily. Leg cramps most often affect the gastrocnemius muscle (calf muscle) which spans the back of each leg from the ankle to the knee. However, they can also affect the muscles at the front of each thigh ( quadriceps) ...
How to get rid of leg cramps at night?
Most people who experience them don’t need medical treatment. You can try the following at home to try to relieve a cramp: Massage your leg. Rubbing the affected muscle may help it relax.
How to avoid leg cramps while sleeping?
The following tips may help you avoid leg cramps while sleeping: Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids allow for normal muscle function. You might need to adjust how much fluid you drink based on factors such as the weather, your age, activity level, and medication you’re taking. Stretch your legs.
How to get rid of nocturnal leg cramps?
Stretch your legs. Stretching your calves and hamstrings before bed can reduce the frequency and severity of nocturnal leg cramps. Ride a stationary bike. A few minutes of easy pedaling might help loosen up your leg muscles before you go to sleep. Change your sleeping position.
Why do my legs cramp at night?
Other factors that may contribute to nighttime leg cramps include: Sedentary lifestyle. Muscles need to be stretched regularly to function properly. Sitting for long periods of time could make leg muscles more susceptible to cramping.
Can leg cramps be caused by foot position?
In most cases, nocturnal leg cramps are idiopathic, which means their exact cause isn’t known. Nighttime leg cramps may be related to foot position.
What Are Leg Cramps?
Leg cramps are sharp, painful contractions that occur in leg muscles. When these cramps occur during sleep, they are called nocturnal leg cramps. Usually, the calves and feet are most affected. Nocturnal leg cramps are more prevalent in women and older adults, but anyone can experience them.
How Long Do Leg Cramps Last?
Nocturnal leg cramps can occur for as short as a few seconds, and they usually do not last longer than 10 minutes. You may feel soreness or reduced strength in your legs the day after your cramps. Stretching your calf or foot during the cramp may help relieve some of the intense pain.
Causes of Leg Cramps at Night
Leg cramps can be distressing and painful. Experiencing pain during the night can disrupt sleep. The exact causes of nocturnal leg cramps are unknown. However, there are some factors that may increase the chance of experiencing leg cramps during the night.
How to Reduce Leg Cramps at Night
Although the exact cause of nocturnal leg cramps is unknown, there are ways to reduce the likelihood that you will experience them. Typically, leg cramps do not indicate a serious health problem. However, if you are experiencing frequent leg cramping, you should reach out to your doctor.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
If you are experiencing cramping in your feet and calves frequently during the night that does not go away with changes in lifestyle or diet, consult your doctor. In many cases, the cause of nocturnal leg cramps is unknown. Some leg cramps could indicate a more serious underlying disease, however, including:
How to treat muscle cramps?
You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. Your doctor can show you stretching exercises that can help you reduce your chances of getting muscle cramps. Making sure you stay well-hydrated also can help. For recurrent cramps that disturb your sleep, your doctor might prescribe a medication to relax your muscles.
How to help a calf cramp?
If you have a cramp, these actions may provide relief: Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly . If you're unable to stand, sit on the floor or in a chair with your affected leg extended.
How to get rid of a cramp in the back of the hamstring?
This will also help ease a back thigh (hamstring) cramp. For a front thigh (quadriceps) cramp, use a chair to steady yourself and try pulling your foot on the affected side up toward your buttock. Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles.
