Why cramps in legs

Some research suggests that muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction may play a role. Another theory is that cramps are more likely nowadays, as most people no longer squat, a position that stretches the calf muscles. Exercise is a factor. Stressing or using a muscle for a long time may trigger a leg cramp during or after the exertion.

Cramps often affect athletes , especially at the start of a season, if their body is out of condition. Nerve damage may play a role. Some experts believe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances may contribute. Athletes who exercise strenuously in hot weather often experience cramps. However, scientific evidence has not confirmed this connection. Athletes who play in cool climates also get cramps, after all. Sometimes leg cramps are caused by an underlying condition relating to the nervous system, circulation, metabolism, or hormones.

Some medications can also increase the risk. Older people are more likely to experience leg cramps. Muscle loss starts from the mids and increases if a person is not active. This may raise the risk of cramps. Some people use supplements, such as magnesium , to reduce muscle cramps. However, a review that looked at older adults concluded that they were unlikely to benefit from this treatment.

For other contexts, such as pregnancy, there is not enough evidence to show whether supplements help. Stretching before bedtime may help , but evidence is limited.

In the past, people used quinine. However, the Food and Drug Administration FDA urge people not to use this, as it may have dangerous interactions and side effects. There is limited evidence that exercise and stretching, calcium channel blockers, carisoprodol, and vitamin B may help. 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. In this case, you may need further tests, such as blood tests and urine tests, to rule out other conditions.

Most cases of leg cramps can be relieved by exercising the affected muscles. Exercising your legs during the day will often help reduce how often you get cramping episodes. 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. Medication is usually only needed in the most persistent cases where cramping does not respond to exercise.

Treating cramps that occur as a result of serious liver disease can be more difficult. Your treatment plan may include using medications such as muscle relaxants. Read more about treating 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.

A leg cramp is an episode of sudden pain in the muscles of the leg caused by an involuntary contracting shortening of the leg muscle. Cramps can last from a few seconds up to 10 minutes. Thigh muscle cramps tend to last the longest. During a cramping episode, the affected muscles will become tight and painful and the feet and toes will be stiff. 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. There are two situations where leg cramps may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition. In these circumstances, contact your GP for advice immediately. If this isn't possible, contact your local out-of-hours service or call the NHS 24 '' service.

The cause of leg cramps is sometimes unknown idiopathic. In other cases, there may be an underlying condition or another identifiable cause. Although the cause of idiopathic leg cramps is unknown, there are a number of theories about what might cause idiopathic leg cramps.

These include:. Also, tendons naturally shorten over time as a person gets older, which may explain why older people are particularly affected by leg cramps.

Tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect muscles to bone. If your tendons become too short, they may cause the muscles connected to them to cramp.

Secondary leg cramps are caused by an underlying condition or another identifiable cause. Certain medications have been known to cause leg cramps in a small number of people. Contact your GP if you think your medication may be causing your leg cramps as your dosage may need to be adjusted. Never stop taking a prescribed medication unless your GP or another qualified healthcare professional who is responsible for your care advises you to do so.

For example, secondary leg cramps that are related to liver disease are caused by high levels of toxins in the blood which trigger muscles spasms. Therefore, muscle relaxants can be used to help prevent your muscles from going into spasm. If the cause of your legs cramps is unknown primary idiopathic leg cramps , a combination of exercise and painkilling medication is usually recommended. Most cases of leg cramps can be treated with exercises.

There are two types of exercise that you can do:. To reduce your risk of getting leg cramps in the future, you should do exercises to stretch the affected muscles three times a day. For example, if your calf muscles are affected by cramps, the following exercise should be beneficial:. Some call them a charley horse, others a leg cramp. But no one calls them an enjoyable experience.

Leg cramps can be excruciating. In some cases, these cramps can be prevented. Read on to learn about their triggers and how to find relief. 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.

Normally, leg cramps last just a few moments before the muscle loosens up and the pain dissipates. There are a variety of things that can lead to 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.

There are certain activities that make you more prone to leg cramps. These include exercises that rely heavily on the leg muscles, such as:. Some experts say muscle fatigue is the leading cause of leg cramps.

You can prevent activity-related leg cramps by drinking plenty of water and taking it easy. Pregnancy , as well as certain medical conditions, can also increase your risk of experiencing leg cramps. Get more information on stopping leg cramps. Generally, the effects of a cramp will disappear in minutes.