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Night leg cramps

DEFINITION


Night leg cramps, also called nocturnal leg cramps, are painful, involuntary spasms, aching or contractions of muscles in your legs. In most cases, night leg cramps involve your calf muscles, but muscles in your feet or thighs may cramp as well.




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.


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.


Some drugs, particularly intravenous iron, estrogens and naproxen, have been linked to night leg cramps.


Restless 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.


Other conditions that may sometimes be associated with night leg cramps may include:


Structural disorders

  1. Peripheral artery disease
  2. Spinal stenosis


Medications and procedures

  1. Blood pressure drugs
  2. Diuretics
  3. Oral contraceptives
  4. Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins)
  5. Dialysis


Other conditions

  1. Dehydration
  2. Diarrhea
  3. Muscle fatigue
  4. Nerve damage, as from cancer treatments
  5. Osteoarthritis
  6. Parkinson’s disease
  7. Pregnancy


Metabolic problems

  1. Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency)
  2. Cirrhosis
  3. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  4. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  5. Chronic kidney disease
  6. Type 1 diabetes
  7. Type 2 diabetes



WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR


For most people, night leg cramps are merely an annoyance — something that jerks you awake infrequently. But in some cases, you may need to see a doctor.


Seek immediate medical care if you:

  • Experience severe and persistent cramping

  • Have night leg cramps after being exposed to a toxin, such as lead


Schedule an office visit if you:

  • Have trouble functioning during the day because leg cramps interrupt your sleep

  • Develop muscle weakness and atrophy with leg cramps


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

  • Untucking the bed covers at the foot of your bed


Activities that might help relieve night leg cramps include:

  • Flexing your foot up toward your head

  • Massaging the cramped muscle with your hands or with ice

  • Walking or jiggling the leg

  • Taking a hot shower or warm bath


Although once widely used, the medication quinine is no longer recommended, as its effectiveness has not been demonstrated in carefully performed studies of people with night leg cramps.