Leg Cramps: Reasons and How to Prevent It?

Leg cramps, which I personally experienced, are one of the worst pain that commonly occurs at night suddenly.

It mostly occurs in calves without signs or symptoms, and most occur while sleeping.

Muscle cramps in the legs can last seconds to minutes although not dangerous.

Reasons for Leg Cramps

Leg cramps at night are known as nocturnal leg cramps. There are no exact reasons why it mostly occurs while sleeping at night.

However, some triggering factors contribute to night LC are:

• Muslce Overuse: Excessive activity during the day or exercise where muscle overuse occurs.
• Dehydration: In dehydration, a lack of electrolytes occurs in the body and is one of the common reasons for it.
• Legs position: Contracting your legs is also the reason which I seen in my case.
• Medical conditions: Some medical conditions where a lack of fluid occurs in the body include:
  • kidney and liver issue
  • diabetes
  • peripheral artery disease
• Pregnancy: It also occurs in pregnant women where hormonal disturbance stress increases the chance of leg cramps.
• Age: Due to older age, their muscle also shrinks or change which increases the chance of leg cramps (1)

There are some other reasons for leg cramps such as:

• Nerve dysfunction
• low potassium
• electrolytes imbalance
• vitamins deficiency include – B-12, E, calcium

If you experience severe or frequent leg cramps then you should talk to the doctor it may be a sign of some medical condition.

How Can I Prevent It?

If you found your reason for leg cramps like in my case, leg contractions are my reason.

Dehydration, muscle overuse or fatigue are the most common reasons for leg cramps.

Apart from these, you can easily prevent it through these tips:

Change your Lifestyle

Staying hydrated throughout the day, especially if you are doing exercise and maintaining a healthy diet.

Make sure to add electrolytes to your water through salt, and coconut water.

Medicines

If you face frequent leg cramps then talk to the doctor they will suggest some prescribed medication to prevent cramps.

Physical Therapy

Stretching muscles before physical activity or deep massage by a therapist can improve muscle function.

So keep yourself hydrated through fresh juice or liquids during the daytime

If you experience night cramps, then try a tip – add electrolytes to your drinking water or you can drink coconut water.

Down Line

LC are one of the common muslce issues that occur, especially in physically active or dehydrated individuals.

Dehydration and lack of vitamins in the body are the most common reasons for it.

Talk to the doctor because leg cramps may be a sign of some underlying medical conditions.