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Leg Cramps



Cramps are painful, involuntary contractions of muscles that often cause the inability to use the affected set of muscles. Leg cramps occur when the muscles of the legs, particularly the calf (muscles crossing the ankle and knee), the hamstring (muscles crossing the knee and hip), and the quadriceps (also muscles crossing the knee and hip) suddenly and forcefully contract. Leg cramps usually happen at night and can last for less than a minute, but it may take several minutes for the contraction to subside. In some cases, they are extremely painful and can even awaken the patient from sleep.


Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of leg cramps has not yet been identified. It may be because of abnormal processing of electrolytes by the muscles of the body. Electrolytes are essential nutrients needed by the body to perform even the most basic functions. Leg cramps are very common and almost everyone suffers from an occasional leg cramp. However, they occur more often in adolescents and older adults.

Some other causes that increase the risk of contracting leg cramps are overexertion of muscles by exercising, prolonged sitting or staying in the same position, dehydration, pregnancy, diabetes, low level of minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium in the body, neuromuscular disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, alcohol abuse, excess body weight, and certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, as well as some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications.

The most common cause of nocturnal leg cramps is believed to be calcium deficiency. Women who are postmenopausal and people who are trying to lose weight or consuming a calcium-deficient diet are vulnerable to developing leg cramps. Conditions such as peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the leg arteries that cause poor circulation), cirrhosis of the liver (rare cases), lead poisoning, and sarcoidosis can also lead to leg cramps.

As mentioned earlier, most cases of leg cramps occur at night and are also known as nocturnal leg cramps. Individuals who exercise at night are also at a risk of suffering from leg cramps.

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