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.
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. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings. They can be caused by fatigue or overuse…. Pickle juice has become a popular remedy for leg cramps over the years.
But does it work? Not sure whether the pain in the back of your knee is just a cramp or a sign of something more? Here's what to look for. Charley horse is another name for a muscle spasm.
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.
Here, learn more about treating leg muscle cramps. Stretching exercises may help. If the cramp is in the calf muscle try the following stretches:.
If the number of cramps reduces, you might only need to do the exercise once or twice a day. Quinine is not suitable for everyone. The GP will discuss potential risks and side effects with you. Page last reviewed: 16 December Next review due: 16 December Leg cramps. Check if it's leg cramps Leg cramps happen when a muscle in the leg shortens and causes a sudden pain that can make it hard to move. The cramps can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes.
They can affect the: calf muscle, below the knee at the back of the leg muscles in the feet or the thighs less often After the cramp has stopped, the muscle might feel sore for up to 24 hours.
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