Leg Cramps Quiz
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Muscle pain
Leg cramps
Leg muscle pain
My mouth is dry
Muscle cramps
Pain in the calf muscles
My muscles are sore
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Leg Cramps?
Leg cramps are episodes of sudden pain in leg muscles caused by involuntary contractions (shortening) of the leg muscle. Most leg cramps happen in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs.
Typical Symptoms of Leg Cramps
- Leg cramps
- Muscle pain in legs
- Muscle pain
- Calf pain
- Pain when exerting physically e.g. climbing the stairs
- History of diabetes or pre-diabetes
- Dry mouth
- Numbness or tingling
Diagnostic Questions for Leg Cramps
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you experienced leg cramps lately?
- Are you having muscle pain in your legs?
- Are you experiencing muscle pain?
- Are you experiencing calf pain?
- Does pain improve with rest but worsen with movement?
Treatment of Leg Cramps
Stretching, massaging, or applying heat or cold may provide relief. Some medications may help prevent recurrent leg cramps, depending on the underlying condition.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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See full list
Symptoms Related to Leg Cramps
Diseases Related to Leg Cramps
FAQs
Q.
What foods can help prevent leg cramps? How about vitamins?
A.
Leg cramps, particularly nocturnal leg cramps, can be uncomfortable and disruptive. While the exact causes of leg cramps can vary, certain dietary choices and vitamins may help prevent them.
References:
Hooper Marosek SE, Antharam V, Dowlatshahi K. Quantitative Analysis of the Acetic Acid Content in Substances Used by Athletes for the Possible Prevention and Alleviation of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Jun;34(6):1539-1546. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003595. PMID: 32459412.
Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM. Muscle Cramping During Exercise: Causes, Solutions, and Questions Remaining. Sports Med. 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):115-124. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01162-1. PMID: 31696455; PMCID: PMC6901412.
Tan J, Zhu R, Li Y, Wang L, Liao S, Cheng L, Mao L, Jing D. Vitamin K2 in Managing Nocturnal Leg Cramps: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2024 Dec 1;184(12):1443-1447. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.5726. PMID: 39466236; PMCID: PMC11581596.
Q.
What are some home remedies to stop leg cramps immediately?
A.
If you experience leg cramps, there are several effective home remedies you can try to relieve the discomfort immediately. These remedies can help relax the muscles and alleviate the cramping sensation.
References:
Riley JD, Antony SJ. Leg cramps: differential diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 1995 Nov 1;52(6):1794-8. PMID: 7484689.
Allen RE, Kirby KA. Nocturnal leg cramps. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Aug 15;86(4):350-5. PMID: 22963024.
Mitsikostas, D. D., Thomas, A. M., & Gatzonis, S. D. (2010). The pathophysiology of medication overuse headache: The ‘neurochemical’ hypothesis revisited. ](https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181d0ccca)[_Neurology, 74_](https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181d0ccca)[(5), 398–399.
Q.
What are the causes of leg cramps at night?
A.
Leg cramps at night, also known as nocturnal leg cramps, can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle fatigue, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and certain medical conditions. Understanding these causes can help in managing and preventing these painful episodes.
References:
Hallegraeff J, de Greef M, Krijnen W, van der Schans C. Criteria in diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps: a systematic review. BMC Fam Pract. 2017 Feb 28;18(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12875-017-0600-x. PMID: 28241802; PMCID: PMC5330021.
Monderer RS, Wu WP, Thorpy MJ. Nocturnal leg cramps. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2010 Jan;10(1):53-9. doi: 10.1007/s11910-009-0079-5. PMID: 20425227.
Allen RE, Kirby KA. Nocturnal leg cramps. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Aug 15;86(4):350-5. PMID: 22963024.
Q.
What are the side effects of kampo medicine?
A.
Kampo medicine, a traditional Japanese form of herbal medicine, can have side effects, similar to other forms of herbal and traditional medicine. While many people use Kampo for its therapeutic benefits, it is important to be aware of potential adverse effects, which can vary depending on the specific formulation and individual patient factors.
References:
Yu F, Takahashi T, Moriya J, Kawaura K, Yamakawa J, Kusaka K, Itoh T, Morimoto S, Yamaguchi N, Kanda T. Traditional Chinese medicine and Kampo: a review from the distant past for the future. J Int Med Res. 2006 May-Jun;34(3):231-9. doi: 10.1177/147323000603400301. PMID: 16866016.
Dai Z, Liao X, Wieland LS, Hu J, Wang Y, Kim TH, Liu JP, Zhan S, Robinson N. Cochrane systematic reviews on traditional Chinese medicine: What matters-the quantity or quality of evidence? Phytomedicine. 2022 Apr;98:153921. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153921. Epub 2022 Jan 10. PMID: 35104758; PMCID: PMC9741948.
Q.
What is the best drink to prevent muscle cramps? Are sports drinks effective for this?
A.
To prevent muscle cramps, the best drinks are those that help maintain hydration and replenish electrolytes. Sports drinks can be effective for this purpose, especially during prolonged exercise or in hot conditions, as they contain essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium. However, they also may contain quite a bit of extra sugar and calories as well.
References:
Earp JE, Stearns RL, Stranieri A, Agostinucci J, Lepley AS, Matson T, Ward-Ritacco CL. Electrolyte beverage consumption alters electrically induced cramping threshold. Muscle Nerve. 2019 Nov;60(5):598-603. doi: 10.1002/mus.26650. Epub 2019 Aug 12. PMID: 31350753.
Jung AP, Bishop PA, Al-Nawwas A, Dale RB. Influence of Hydration and Electrolyte Supplementation on Incidence and Time to Onset of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. J Athl Train. 2005 Jun;40(2):71-75. PMID: 15970952; PMCID: PMC1150229.
Hooper Marosek SE, Antharam V, Dowlatshahi K. Quantitative Analysis of the Acetic Acid Content in Substances Used by Athletes for the Possible Prevention and Alleviation of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Jun;34(6):1539-1546. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003595. PMID: 32459412.
Q.
Why do I get leg cramps when I stretch in bed?
A.
Leg cramps during stretching in bed, often referred to as nocturnal leg cramps, can occur due to several factors, including muscle fatigue, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and certain medical conditions. Understanding these causes can help in managing and preventing cramps.
References:
Allen RE, Kirby KA. Nocturnal leg cramps. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Aug 15;86(4):350-5. PMID: 22963024.
Brown TM. Sleep-Related Leg Cramps: A Review and Suggestions for Future Research. Sleep Med Clin. 2015 Sep;10(3):385-92, xvi. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 Jun 14. PMID: 26329449.
Monderer RS, Wu WP, Thorpy MJ. Nocturnal leg cramps. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2010 Jan;10(1):53-9. doi: 10.1007/s11910-009-0079-5. PMID: 20425227.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Young G. Leg cramps. BMJ Clin Evid. 2015 May 13;2015:1113. PMID: 25970567; PMCID: PMC4429847.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429847/Allen RE, Kirby KA. Nocturnal leg cramps. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Aug 15;86(4):350-5. PMID: 22963024.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2012/0815/p350.htmlYoung G. Leg cramps. BMJ Clin Evid. 2009 Mar 26;2009:1113. PMID: 19445755; PMCID: PMC2907778.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907778/Muscle Cramp - Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820