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What Causes Severe Leg Cramps At Night?
Question: I periodically get these severe leg cramps at night. Just before bed. So bad that they bring me to tears. Sometimes it lasts through out the night and when I wake up I can hardly walk because my calfs are so tight
Brief Answer:
Tell a few details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
There can be several common causes of 'Nocturnal leg cramps'.Please tell if you have any of the following:
1)Standing or walking for long times.
2)Alcoholism
3)Dehydration/dyselectrolytemia
3)Diabetes
4)Hypothyroidism
5)Nerve or muscle disease
6)Some medicines
You should get the following investigations done-
1)Blood sugar-fasting and post prandial
2)Thyroid function tests
3)Serum electrolytes
Meanwhile,you should take the following measures to prevent leg cramps-
1)Take enough of fluids-Be well hydrated
2)Wear properly fitted shoes
3)Gently stretch your leg muscles before going to bed.
4)Massage the legs gently before going to bed
5)Take a warm bath around 2 hours before going to bed
6)Gently stretch your legs before going to bed
Hope this will bring improvement in your leg cramps.
If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Tell a few details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
There can be several common causes of 'Nocturnal leg cramps'.Please tell if you have any of the following:
1)Standing or walking for long times.
2)Alcoholism
3)Dehydration/dyselectrolytemia
3)Diabetes
4)Hypothyroidism
5)Nerve or muscle disease
6)Some medicines
You should get the following investigations done-
1)Blood sugar-fasting and post prandial
2)Thyroid function tests
3)Serum electrolytes
Meanwhile,you should take the following measures to prevent leg cramps-
1)Take enough of fluids-Be well hydrated
2)Wear properly fitted shoes
3)Gently stretch your leg muscles before going to bed.
4)Massage the legs gently before going to bed
5)Take a warm bath around 2 hours before going to bed
6)Gently stretch your legs before going to bed
Hope this will bring improvement in your leg cramps.
If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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