What Causes Leg Cramps

Leg Cramps

Leg Cramps

Updated on 3/26/2024
Mai DelacruzBy Mai Delacruz
Personal Fitness Trainer & Health Coach
Learn More about Mai Delacruz

Overview

what causes leg cramps

what causes leg cramps

Some people refer to them as Charley horses, while others refer to them as leg cramps. However, nobody considers them to be a pleasant experience. Cramps in the legs can cause unbearable pain. They frequently strike while you are fast asleep, rousing you with a strong reaction only made worse by the startling realization that they have arrived.

Preventing cramps of this type is sometimes possible if precautions are taken. Knowing What Causes Leg Cramps them and how you may find relief from them is essential by continuing to read this article.

What It's Like To Get Cramps In Your Legs

What It's Like To Get Cramps In Your Legs

What It's Like To Get Cramps In Your Legs

When your muscles contract involuntarily, you experience cramping. This causes your leg muscle to temporarily become inflexible and typically feels like a painful knot when it's happening. Even though calf muscle cramps are the most prevalent type of leg cramp, they can also occur in the thighs and the foot. Leg cramps often linger for a few seconds before the muscle relaxes and the discomfort disappears. During this time, your leg may feel quite painful.

Understanding The Causes

Understanding The Causes

Understanding The Causes

There are several potential causes of leg cramps, and each has its unique symptoms. Nevertheless, leg cramps frequently have no identifiable reason, so you should keep this in mind. Some people believe that the tension that occurs when our legs are slightly bent, and our feet are pointed downward is the source of spasms since they tend to occur throughout the night when our legs are in this position. When preventing these unpleasant situations from occurring again in the future, the most effective course of action is to lessen the impact of factors that might make them more likely to occur.

jogging for fun and exercise

jogging for fun and exercise

Leg cramps are more likely to occur after participating in certain types of activity. These include workouts that place a significant emphasis on the use of the leg muscles, such as the following:

  • jogging for fun and exercise
  • exercising the legs with weights
  • Sports like soccer and basketball, which demand significant running, are examples.

Leg cramps are often attributed to tired muscles, which experts agree is a common factor. The hazards become much more severe when these muscles become exhausted because of hot temperatures or because you do not remain hydrated. Leg cramps that are brought on by exercise can be avoided by hydrating well and taking it easy during the activity. I would recommend that you try to avoid exercising while you are feeling tired if you can avoid doing so.

Due To Medical Necessity

 leg cramps if you are pregnant

leg cramps if you are pregnant

You are more likely to have leg cramps if you are pregnant, have some medical issues, or are on certain medications.

If you have leg cramps that are more severe than usual and are pregnant or suffering from one of the following disorders, see a doctor:

  • The sickness of Addison
  • alcohol use disorder
  • renal failure
  • problems with the thyroid
  • The disorder known as Parkinson's
  • type 2 diabetes
  • sarcoidosis
  • cirrhosis
  • vascular disease
Pills used for birth control

Pills used for birth control

In addition, some drugs, such as the following, can be a factor in the development of leg cramps:

  • Pills used for birth control
  • diuretics
  • naproxen (Aleve)
  • Albuterol is a drug used to treat asthma.
  • statins

Managing The Pain Of Leg Cramps

Managing The Pain Of Leg Cramps

Managing The Pain Of Leg Cramps

Although avoiding severe leg cramps in the first place is the best course of action, it is helpful to know what to do if you find yourself in the throes of one.

When you notice a cramp, massage the affected area and gently stretch it. If the pain is in your calf, you can try to stretch the muscle by flexing your foot, or you can walk about on your heels if the discomfort isn't intolerable. Find out more about how to stop having cramps in your legs.

Takeaway

what causes leg cramps

what causes leg cramps

what causes leg cramps, the discomfort associated with cramps will go away within a few minutes. If the cramping continues for an extended period, you should consult a physician.

It is currently unknown whether there is a drug on the market that is formulated particularly to treat recurrent muscular cramps. If, on the other hand, your cramping is the result of another ailment, treating the underlying problem could help relieve your symptoms.