HEALTHY LIVING


When Leg Cramps Strike at Night


Painful muscle contractions are common, but can be alleviated. ::


BY CHRIS ILIADES, M.D. A


nyone who has suffered a leg cramp while sleeping knows how excruciating it can be.


A painful and involuntary muscle


contraction, a nighttime leg cramp can last from several seconds to several minutes. The muscle will tighten into a hard knot. The most common areas to cramp


are the calf, foot, and sometimes the thigh. Leg cramps at night increase with


age and may affect close to 40% of people over age 60. “Common leg cramps can be the


result of many different factors,” says Sabrina Barata, M.D., a primary care doctor with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “This can include dehydration, disrupted sleep, or low iron levels. More serious concerns could be nerve or blood supply issues.” While in most cases leg cramps


have no obvious cause, aging of blood vessels or nerves or shortening of the tendons that attach leg muscle to bone may increase the risk. Other risk factors can include


standing or sitting for long periods, too much exercise, or just stress. Night leg cramps are more common in women.


GET RID OF LEG CRAMPS “For starters, maintain hydration, consistent exercise, and sleep hygiene,” says Barata. “If symptoms continue or


90 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | MAY 2023


progress, your healthcare provider would likely pursue further work-up including blood tests for electrolytes, magnesium, and iron, or imaging studies of your legs.” If a leg cramp wakes you


up at night the best advice is get out of bed, stretch the muscle, massage it deeply, and try to walk it off. A severe cramp may cause soreness


you can ease with heat, elevation, and an over-the-counter pain reliever.


OTHER CONDITIONS The most common condition to be confused with leg cramps at night is restless legs syndrome (RLS). “RLS is usually described as discomfort and a persistent desire to move your legs at night, but not pain. Cramps, on the other hand, can be more episodic and require different treatment,” says Barata. Although not common, other conditions that may cause leg cramps include:


Alcoholism Heart disease Liver disease Diabetes Parkinson’s disease Peripheral artery disease (PAD) Medications that may cause leg


cramps include albuterol, estrogens, diuretics, gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), statins, and beta-blockers.


DO SUPPLEMENTS HELP? Supplements are not usually helpful, although some experts do recommend vitamin B12. “The data for magnesium and


other supplements have no large randomized controlled trials to make a strong recommendation,” says Barata.


“However, your provider may do a


blood test and replenish magnesium if needed. Without a blood test, magnesium supplements are not recommended.” Muscle fatigue is a much more


common cause of cramps than low magnesium, iron, calcium, or vitamins. Muscle relaxants and medications


called calcium channel blockers may be helpful. Consult your doctor.


PREVENTING THEM You may be able to reduce leg cramps by avoiding long periods of standing, sitting, or vigorous leg exercise. Drinking six to eight glasses of water may also help. One of the best ways to reduce


night cramps is to stretch and massage your leg muscles before bed or do some light exercise like riding a stationary bike.


SHOULD YOU CALL A DOCTOR? Leg cramps at night are a common condition of aging. In most cases they are not a sign of a medical condition that needs treatment. Let your doctor know if you have


leg cramps at night that last longer than a few minutes, are becoming more frequent, or are frequent enough to interfere with your sleep and quality of life. “Leg cramps can sometimes be


associated with blood clots called deep vein thrombosis. Seek urgent care if you see swelling and redness on the affected leg,” advises Barata.


MARIANVEJCIK©ISTOCK


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