what causes legs to cramp at night
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Night leg cramps Causes. 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. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age.Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of experiencing night leg cramps.estless legs syndrome (RLS) is sometimes confused with night leg cramps, but it's a separate condition. In general, pain is not a main feature of RLS, but RLS could be the cause of night leg cramps.
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Steps Can Be Taken to Relieve or Prevent Night Leg Cramps ANSWER: Anyone who's ever woken up with a leg cramp knows how painful it can be when one of their muscles suddenly contracts. Night leg cramps typically involve calf muscles. Yet, it's possible to get these cramps in the feet or thighs, as well. In most cases, night leg cramps are harmless and can be relieved or even prevented with some simple stretching or other self-care measures.
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- It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you’re falling asleep or just as you’re waking up. The exact cause of night leg cramps isn’t known.
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- Quick Answer. Ankle and leg cramps at night often occur for unknown reasons, but structural disorders, such as spinal stenosis; medications for blood pressure and cholesterol; or conditions such as dehydration and diarrhea can cause the discomfort, according to Mayo Clinic.
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What Are the Causes of Night Leg Pain? Just when it is time to unwind and give the legs a much-needed break, leg pain at night can ruin any plans for rest. Night leg pain is so common that it is difficult to meet a person who has not experienced total sleep disruption as a result. Men, women and children have experienced this phenomenon. The causes of night leg pain might be from restless leg syndrome, nocturnal leg cramps or growing pains. Video of the Day
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Leg Problems, Non-Injury It often occurs in the legs. A muscle cramp is also called a charley horse. Nighttime leg cramps are usually sudden spasms, or tightening, of muscles in the calf. The muscle cramps can sometimes happen in the thigh or the foot. They often occur just as you are falling asleep or waking up.
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What You Can Do About a Nighttime Charley Horse Experts weigh in on causes of, and cures for, leg cramps while we sleep. Most of us have experienced an occasional charley horse, that sudden, intense muscle pain that grips the calf muscle. Many people have, inexplicably, felt this pain in the middle of the night.
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What Causes Pain in the Legs at Night? One of the most common causes of pain in the legs at night is pregnancy. This normally happens because the expectant mother is lacking certain nutrients that are vital for bone development and muscle strength. To remedy this situation, eating foods rich in magnesium and calcium may be a good idea.
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- Also known as “charley horses,” leg cramps often come on suddenly during the night and cause intense pain in the thighs, calves, feet or toes. ... Causes of nocturnal leg cramps include: Sitting for long periods during the day; Muscle strain or overexertion; Working or ...
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Sleep Leg Cramps â Overview & Facts The soreness felt after the cramp can also make it hard for you to go back to sleep again. Leg cramps are sometimes confused with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Both problems involve discomfort with the legs during the time of sleep. RLS usually does not involve a feeling of pain nor does the muscle become tight.
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Causes of Leg Cramps While Sleeping Causes of Leg Cramps While Sleeping. There could be several causes behind leg cramps while sleeping, also known as nocturnal leg cramps. A quick overview of all such causes, is presented in this article. Leg and foot cramps while sleeping may also be attributed as nighttime leg cramps. These cramps are characterized by muscle contractions in your leg. And these contractions may flare up with intense degree of pain, while sleeping. The cramps mostly occur due to tightening of the muscles in the calf.
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What Causes Leg Cramps at Night? Because there are several conditions that can cause leg pain at night: 1  fibromyalgia. 2  sciatica. 3  arthritis. night leg cramps.  varicose 1  veins. Use of statins for lowering cholesterol.  lower extremity arterial disease (atherosclerosis).
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- Nighttime Leg Cramps: Meds That Hurt, Meds That Help. by Dr. Sharon Orrange on May 2, 2012 at 11:24 am. Nocturnal leg cramps are a common cause of pain in the legs that can disrupt sleep. They are present in nearly 50 percent of those over the age of 50.
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Wikipedia:Verifiability The word source when citing sources on Wikipedia has three related meanings: 1  The piece of work itself (the article, book) 2  The creator of the work (the writer, journalist) 3  The publisher of the work (for example, Random House or Cambridge University Press)
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What Causes Leg Cramps and How Can You Stop Them? We respect your privacy. Leg cramps - also know as night cramps or Charley Horse - are painful spasms that typically occur in the calf muscles. Leg cramps tend to jolt a person awake in the middle of the night, but can also strike in the daytime during physical activities such as running and cycling. Fitness can put strain on your leg muscles.
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- Causes. 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. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of experiencing night leg cramps.
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What causes leg cramps during sleep? If you do not have a serious cause, you can often prevent night cramps by exhausting the stretch reflex before you go to bed by stretching your calf muscles with wall pushups, and applying a heating pad for 10 minutes before you go to sleep.
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Nocturnal Leg Cramps The exact mechanism is unknown, but the cramps are probably caused by muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction rather than electrolyte or other abnormalities. Nocturnal leg cramps are associated with vascular disease, lumbar canal stenosis, cirrhosis, hemodialysis, pregnancy, and other medical conditions. Medications that are strongly associated with leg cramps include intravenous iron sucrose, conjugated estrogens, raloxifene, naproxen, and teriparatide.
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Left Leg Pain at Night: Causes and Remedies RLS is a common affliction characterized by a tingling sensation in the legs at night, and the constant urge to keep them moving. This feeling may disappear if you get up to walk and stretch your legs, but it returns upon going back to bed. The condition may merely be irritating, but can cause leg pain when lying down. You may also feel twitches in your legs. RLS can cause major sleep disruption and you could be left tired and irritable during the day. Treatment. 1  Take a warm bath or shower before going to bed. 2  Try placing alternate hot and cold compresses on your legs to relieve the pain.
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"Doctors have multiple treatment options for ""twitchy"" legs" A: From your description, restless legs syndrome could be the cause of your symptoms. The condition can cause a number of vague and unusual sensations in the legs at night. People often describe it as burning, tingling, crawling or pressure. The cause is not known. There's often an overwhelming urge to move or stretch the legs.
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Night leg cramps 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.The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of experiencing night leg cramps.ost 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.
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Nighttime Leg Cramps Are Twice As Common In The Summer; 4 Home Remedies For Charlie Horses Nighttime Leg Cramps Are Twice As Common In The Summer; 4 Home Remedies For Charlie Horses. Cramps happen twice as often in the summertime as they do at night. A nighttime Charlie Horse rides deep into the calf muscles and causes painful leg spasms that are enough to wake you up in the middle of your sleep.
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Home Remedies for Leg Cramps While Sleeping at Night Leg cramps while sleeping can be extremely painful and can ruin a good night’s sleep. They can also cause soreness or a stiffening of the affected muscles the next day. These Nocturnal cramps are caused by the sudden contraction or over-shortening of the muscles.
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What Causes Leg Cramps at Night? The cramp, or charley horse, is due to the muscle contracting (shortening and tightening) in a sudden and violent way. These nocturnal leg cramps usually occur in the calf muscle. But foot and leg cramps do happen at night also. Cramps in the thighs are less common. One main reason for the pain is because blood flow to the muscle is restricted. Waste products also build up within the muscle tissue.
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Weak Legs and Constant Stretching at Night Weak Legs and Constant Stretching at Night. Some medical conditions can cause discomfort in the legs, especially during rest. Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images. It is common to experience weaknesses and discomfort in your legs at night. This causes the desire to constantly stretch and test your legs, which inhibits a restful sleep. Several issues can lead to these symptoms.
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What Causes Leg Cramps at Night? 1 In fact, when it comes to what causes leg cramps in women, high heel shoes are something to consider. 2  Kidney dialysis can be a cause of leg cramps at night.  Medications, including diuretics for high blood pressure, oral contraceptives, and statins.