![]() ![]() The following night-time advice may also help: You might find it useful to stretch your calves before you go to bed each night (see stretching advice above or try this post-exercise calf stretch). If you often get leg cramps, regularly stretching the muscles in your lower legs may help prevent the cramps or reduce their frequency. Read more about treating leg cramps Preventing leg cramps Your treatment plan may include using medications such as muscle relaxants. Treating cramps that occur as a result of serious liver disease can be more difficult. Leg cramps that occur during pregnancy should pass after the baby is born. If you have secondary leg cramps, treating the underlying cause may help relieve your symptoms. Medication is usually only needed in the most persistent cases where cramping does not respond to exercise. Hold for a few seconds before lifting your heels back up to the starting position. Slowly lower your heels so that they are below the level of the step. To stretch your calf muscles, stand with the front half of your feet on a step, with your heels hanging off the edge. Exercising your legs during the day will often help reduce how often you get cramping episodes. Most cases of leg cramps can be relieved by exercising the affected muscles. In this case, you may need further tests, such as blood tests and urine tests, to rule out other conditions. They may also ask if you have other symptoms, such as numbness or swelling, which may be a sign that you have secondary leg cramps caused by an underlying condition. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine your legs and feet. Speak to your GP if your leg cramps are affecting your quality of life for example, if you have frequent leg cramps or they are interfering with your sleep. Read more about the causes of leg cramps. ![]() When the spasm passes, you will be able to control the affected muscle again. The cramp can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes. This is known as a spasm, and you cannot control the affected muscle. certain types of medication, such as statins (medicines that help lower cholesterol levels)ĭuring a cramp, your muscles suddenly contract (shorten), causing pain in your leg.Leg cramps can occur for no apparent reason, known as idiopathic leg cramps, or as a symptom or complication of a health condition, known as secondary leg cramps.Ĭauses of secondary leg cramps can include: Read more about the symptoms of leg cramps. Three out of four cases occur at night during sleep. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs.Īfter the cramping has passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your leg for several hours. Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful.
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