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What Causes Night Leg Cramps?
Question: cramp of extensor digitorum and tibialis anterior at night. Was just left leg where I had morbidiform rash from Pacquinel, now in rt leg last night. constant contraction with level 6 pain on 1 to 10 scale...walking helps but will not go away for hours and then comes back.
65 year old female 120 pounds, 5'3 Fibro. On wellbrutrin and mobic for oa of rt knee and left wrist. clonazepam helps but I refuse to medicate my self every night. Trying magnesium chloride spray and Dr Whals diet.
65 year old female 120 pounds, 5'3 Fibro. On wellbrutrin and mobic for oa of rt knee and left wrist. clonazepam helps but I refuse to medicate my self every night. Trying magnesium chloride spray and Dr Whals diet.
Brief Answer:
Self-care Activities that might help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
After going through the description, I understand your concern regarding your symptoms. Most of the time, night leg cramps occur for no known reason, and they're usually harmless. In general, night leg cramps are likely to be related to muscle fatigue and nerve problems.
Infact, till date there is no clear cut evidence for the cause of muscle cramps. But the most common cited theories include -
- Altered neuromuscular control
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte depletion
- Poor conditioning
- Muscle fatigue
- Doing a new activity
In rare situations, night leg cramps can be associated with an underlying disorder, such as peripheral artery disease — in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs, Diabetes or spinal stenosis.
Self-care Activities that might help prevent night leg cramps include:
• Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• Stretching your leg muscles or riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before you go to bed
• Massaging the cramped muscle with your hands or with ice
• Walking or jiggling the leg
• Taking a hot shower or warm bath
• Foods such as bananas, potatoes, prune juice and dried fruit may be helpful in relieving muscle cramps
• Including calcium fortified foods like seafood and fish, almonds, flaxseed, oats, parsley, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and XXXXXXX can help to stave off muscle spasm. Vitamin D supplements will also help in relieving myalgia's.
• Natural and holistic treatments are also highly effective in reducing muscle spasms and providing relief. Useful herbal remedies that help to treat involuntary muscle spasms include Celery seeds, Cramp bark and warm, moist herbal packs.
-Aromatherapy oils can be used together with massage to provide welcome relief from muscle spasm.
• Avoid foods acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes and vinegar which blocks the body’s natural ability to absorb calcium.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Self-care Activities that might help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
After going through the description, I understand your concern regarding your symptoms. Most of the time, night leg cramps occur for no known reason, and they're usually harmless. In general, night leg cramps are likely to be related to muscle fatigue and nerve problems.
Infact, till date there is no clear cut evidence for the cause of muscle cramps. But the most common cited theories include -
- Altered neuromuscular control
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte depletion
- Poor conditioning
- Muscle fatigue
- Doing a new activity
In rare situations, night leg cramps can be associated with an underlying disorder, such as peripheral artery disease — in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs, Diabetes or spinal stenosis.
Self-care Activities that might help prevent night leg cramps include:
• Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• Stretching your leg muscles or riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before you go to bed
• Massaging the cramped muscle with your hands or with ice
• Walking or jiggling the leg
• Taking a hot shower or warm bath
• Foods such as bananas, potatoes, prune juice and dried fruit may be helpful in relieving muscle cramps
• Including calcium fortified foods like seafood and fish, almonds, flaxseed, oats, parsley, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and XXXXXXX can help to stave off muscle spasm. Vitamin D supplements will also help in relieving myalgia's.
• Natural and holistic treatments are also highly effective in reducing muscle spasms and providing relief. Useful herbal remedies that help to treat involuntary muscle spasms include Celery seeds, Cramp bark and warm, moist herbal packs.
-Aromatherapy oils can be used together with massage to provide welcome relief from muscle spasm.
• Avoid foods acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes and vinegar which blocks the body’s natural ability to absorb calcium.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Saurabh Gupta
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :2004
Answered : 5930 Questions
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