The painful sensations can be strong or weak, but they usually last only a few seconds. As a rule, nocturnal cramps affect only the calf muscles. In some cases, fingers, foot, thigh can be brought together. In essence, a cramp is a muscle contraction that occurs involuntarily and is accompanied by a burning pain.
This makes the muscles hard. People usually face such a problem in middle and older age, but it is possible to experience seizures in childhood. If the involuntary contraction of muscle fibers is caused by overexcitation of the cortical part of the brain, such seizures are referred to as epileptic seizures. Non-epileptic ones are provoked by diseases of the central nervous system, imbalance of nutrients, adverse external conditions.
Also, involuntary muscle contractions can be classified by their nature:. Lack of some substances: calcium, potassium, magnesium. This problem usually occurs in people who drink a lot of fluids during the day or sweat a lot. Along with excess fluid, the necessary elements are also excreted from the body. In addition, during pregnancy, a woman gives all the necessary substances to the developing fetus, which also provokes a lack of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the body.
An excess of caffeine in the diet, smoking. Lack of vitamin D , which contributes to a better absorption of calcium by the body. A lack of calcium can cause this unpleasant phenomenon. Vitamin D is produced by the body through exposure to sunlight. In places where the sun is rare, for example, in the north, people are often faced with a lack of this vitamin. An excess of cortisol , which is produced during depression and stress. Cortisol is a hormone that inhibits the absorption of calcium from food, and also increases its excretion through the kidneys.
Curvature of the foot due to trauma, flat feet. Taking medications for heartburn, gastritis, intestinal disorders also interferes with the normal absorption of trace elements from food intake, which as a result leads to night cramps. Learn about 20 triggers, from…. Pickle juice has become a popular remedy for leg cramps over the years. But does it work? Poor circulation is most common in your extremities, such as your legs and arms.
Learn more about the symptoms and causes of poor circulation. There are a variety of reasons why you may feel calf pain when you walk. Some causes are due to common muscle conditions, like cramps or strains…. Doctors call leg pain that comes and goes intermittent claudication.
Most causes are due to affected blood flow. Learn about all potential causes…. Your leg muscles are some of the hardest working muscles in your body. Pain in your calf or thigh can be caused by muscle cramps, a pulled or strained….
There are many possible conditions that can cause itchy thighs. Some of the more common causes include dry skin, dermatitis, chafing, and jock itch…. Magnesium deficiency is one possible reason for leg cramps, so we looked into the research out there on upping magnesium to treat muscle cramps…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Treatment and Prevention Tips. Nocturnal leg cramps are a distinct condition, but they are often misdiagnosed as restless legs syndrome RLS because both disorders involve uncomfortable sensations in the legs.
Although symptoms are similar, there are some key differences between these disorders. Even though restless legs syndrome also involves leg discomfort at night, its symptoms vary from those found in nocturnal leg cramps. RLS is characterized by the desire or urge to move your legs in the evening. Other symptoms can include:. Symptoms of nocturnal leg cramps and RLS often present in similar ways. Therefore, nocturnal leg cramps might be difficult for your doctor to diagnose.
To help your doctor figure out what issue is causing your leg discomfort, track your symptoms and bring detailed notes with you to your appointment. 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.
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.
Medications: Some medications, like diuretics, steroids, and antidepressants, are associated with nocturnal leg cramping. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking if you experience leg cramps during the night.
Pregnancy: Leg cramps are a common experience in pregnant women , although some professionals consider pregnancy-related leg cramps different from nocturnal leg cramps. Researchers are unsure if this leg cramping occurs due to pregnancy itself, or because of a lack of blood flow in the veins as a result of pregnancy.
Magnesium supplementation has been shown to reduce leg cramping in pregnancy, but you should talk to your doctor before beginning any new supplements. Dehydration: Not drinking enough water during the day can result in dehydration. Dehydration causes muscle weakness and cramping. Nocturnal leg cramps in particular are not associated with dehydration, but drinking water is still important.
The exact amount of water you need to drink each day depends on your body weight, activity level, medications, and local climate. Standing for Extended Periods: Being on your feet for long periods of time can increase the risk of experiencing nocturnal leg cramps , making leg cramps a problem for people who must stand while they work. Taking breaks from standing and setting aside time to elevate your feet may help. Exercise: Exercising at the gym or through team sports may lead to muscle cramps.
When muscles are fatigued or overworked , they can be more susceptible to cramping. Exercise-associated muscle cramps may be mistaken for nocturnal leg cramps when they occur at night. Stretching during an exercise-induced cramp has been shown to help relieve pain. Alcohol : Research of people over age 60 shows that those who drink alcohol are more likely to report nocturnal leg cramping. 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. You may be able to reduce the likelihood of experiencing leg cramps through:. Hydration: Staying consistently hydrated throughout the day may help reduce the frequency of muscle cramps, since dehydration can cause cramps.
Though some research suggests that nocturnal leg cramps are not caused by dehydration, it may help to drink water during long periods of outdoor activity or strenuous activity.
There is also research to suggest that drinking pickle juice during a cramping episode helps inhibit the cramp quickly. Stretching: Doing some stretching or yoga before bed may help you reduce both the frequency and intensity of nocturnal leg cramps.
Research suggests that engaging in a stretching routine before bed helps reduce cramps and leg pain after about six weeks. Baths: Some people claim that taking a bath helps relieve their nighttime cramps, though further research is needed. An epsom salt bath in particular could help reduce muscle pain. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate. An epsom salt bath could increase your magnesium levels, which may help relieve leg cramping.
Massage : Massaging your calves or feet before bed may help you reduce cramping during the night by relaxing the muscles in your legs. If you have limited mobility, consider asking a partner to help. Heel Walking: Some people find that walking on their heels helps reduce nocturnal leg cramping.
If you wake up in the middle of the night with a cramp in your calf, try getting up and walking on your heels. Although this type of walking helps release the tight calf muscle, research has found that it is not as effective as stretching during a leg cramp. 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.
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