10 Causes of Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are a pain, literally! It may not always obvious what causes them, but the pain associated with leg cramps makes them nearly impossible to ignore. The Orthopedic Institute team has compiled a list of 10 common causes of leg cramps to help you understand and avoid this pesky problem.

1. Dehydration

Have you been drinking enough water? Dehydration is one of the most common causes of leg cramps. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. The fluids in your body allow your muscles to relax, but—when those muscles are dehydrated—they get irritable and prone to cramping. Staying hydrated, especially during physical activity, is an excellent way to avoid leg cramps.

2. Overuse

In addition to dehydration, leg muscles can also cramp from overuse. When doing particularly intense physical activity, the nerves in your spine can become overexcited and fire involuntarily, contracting your muscles and causing a cramp. Those with more sedentary lifestyles may experience muscle overuse from more mild activities such as walking, hiking, gardening. Resting your legs and stretching often will help you avoid cramps from overuse.

3. Fatigue

Your muscles need time to recover. If you use them for extended periods of time without proper rest, the potential for leg cramps is greatly increased. As the muscles in your leg become tired, they become less efficient and require more nutrients than they would if they were rested. Avoid muscle cramps from fatigue by giving your muscles proper rest and conditioning them for any prolonged use.

4. Excessive Sitting or Standing

Bodies are meant to move, so staying in one position, regardless of whether you’re sitting or standing, puts you at greater risk for muscle cramps. Standing for too long can cause your muscles to fatigue, which will increase the likelihood of a cramp. Sitting can leave muscles in the same position for an extended period of time, which can lead them to spasm and cramp. If you sit or stand all day for work, try to alternate between sitting and standing so your body is not in one position for too long.

5. Medications

Certain medications prescribed to treat Alzheimer’s, high cholesterol, asthma, Parkinson’s and osteoporosis have a tendency to cause muscle cramps. If you’re experiencing leg cramps due to medication, talk to your doctor about your pain and possible medication alternatives.

6. Potassium Deficiency

Potassium in the cells of your leg muscles helps the brain tell the muscles when to start and stop contracting. When you have a potassium deficiency, these signals are not relayed properly, and muscle contractions may be prolonged, causing a cramp. Bananas are high in potassium, so adding them to your diet will help maintain proper potassium levels and avoid cramps.

7. Poor Circulation

Poor circulation in your legs can prevent your leg muscles from getting all the oxygen they need to function. This can lead to leg pain, muscle spasms and cramps. Walking, stretching, and wearing compression stockings can all help manage poor circulation in your legs and prevent cramping.

8. Excessive Alcohol Use

The nerves in your leg can be damaged by alcohol abuse. Excessive drinking can alter the levels of thiamine, folate and vitamins B6, B12, and E, which are all needed for your nerves to function properly. This is called alcoholic Neuropathy and can be the cause of leg cramps. Avoiding alcohol can restore the nutritional health of your muscles and stop your legs from cramping.

9. Pregnancy

Women in the third trimester of pregnancy often experience leg cramps, especially in the evening hours. In this case, cramps can be caused by the additional weight of the baby, changes in circulation, and pressure from the baby placed on the nerves in your legs. Regular exercise, leg and or foot massages, and stretching are all ways to prevent leg cramps.

10. Multiple Sclerosis

One of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis is spasticity, a condition which causes certain muscles to be continuously contracted. Multiple sclerosis causes damage to the central nervous system, which can cause spasticity and lead to cramping in the legs. You can manage leg cramping caused by multiple sclerosis through maintaining a healthy diet, stretching and massaging your legs and treating them with hot and cold therapy.

How to Rehydrate and Avoid Dehydration Cramps

If you’ve ever had cramps in your leg muscles or stomach, you know how debilitating the pain can be. From a searing charley horse to stomach pain, cramps can be uncomfortable and disrupt your ability to carry out daily tasks. What you may not know is that dehydration cramps are often the culprit.

We’ll walk you through how dehydration can cause cramps and how to rehydrate to avoid these painful and pesky side effects.

Understanding how to identify risk factors and mild dehydration symptoms is essential — and learning how to combat these impacts as simply drinking water does not solve the issue.

Electrolytes play a major role in rehydrating your body and your muscles, which is why adding an electrolyte drink mix to your water can help you recover more quickly.

Does Dehydration Cause Cramps?

Dehydration is a medical issue caused by your body losing more fluids and electrolytes than it takes in. It can range from cases with mild dehydration symptoms like extreme thirst to severe cases that can be life-threatening.

Losing more fluids and electrolytes than you’re absorbing makes it difficult for your body to function properly. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, decreased urination, extreme thirst, dizziness — and, of course, cramps. In fact, two of the most common signs of dehydration include muscle cramping and stomach cramps.

Here’s why: Your body reacts to dehydration by storing water for the most vital organs, including your heart and lungs. That means less vital organs — like your muscles and digestive system — don’t receive the water and electrolytes required to properly function.

Without these essential fluids, your muscles can start to cramp. You may particularly experience leg cramps in your calf and thigh muscles. You may also experience involuntary contractions like muscle spasms. Dehydration also decreases blood volume, which can also cause cramping as there is less blood flow to organs and muscles.

These combined factors can lead to cramping elsewhere in the body, often in the stomach, because your digestive system uses fluids and electrolytes to store nutrients and create waste. When dehydration sets in, constipation can occur since your body doesn’t have enough water to create stool. This can lead to stomach cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain.

If you’re wondering how to rehydrate and get rid of these symptoms, you’ll need more than just increase water intake. When you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have the right balance of electrolytes.

Dehydration can cause mineral depletion, including decreases in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These electrolytes play a key role in muscle function. When you suffer from an electrolyte imbalance, dehydration sets in and your leg muscles can cramp. To help recover from mild dehydration symptoms like cramping, adding an electrolyte drink mix to water can help speed up this recovery.

How to Recognize Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when you don’t get enough water and electrolytes. It’s sometimes caused by medical conditions that affect the kidneys and thyroid. It can also be exacerbated by certain medications.

The most common causes of dehydration include not drinking enough fluids, excessive sweating, and heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. This is why it’s important to drink water and replenish electrolytes while exercising and avoid working out outside if the temperature is too high.

When you sweat, you secrete water and salt to the surface of your skin. There, it evaporates to create a cooling effect. If you don’t replace these lost fluids and electrolytes fast, you may become dehydrated. It’s vital to manage hydration throughout the day, especially when you engage in physical activity in cold or hot weather that raises your body temperature.

You can also get dehydration when you’re sick or have gastroenteritis. Dehydration risk is elevated if you’re vomiting, have severe diarrhea, or a high fever.

While anyone can become dehydrated, older people and young children experience dehydration at higher rates.

Older adults with ailments like Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders may have a higher risk of dehydration cramps. People who take diuretics like medications for high blood pressure are at increased risk of dehydration. That’s because diuretics can change the concentration of electrolytes like sodium and potassium. That also means an increased risk of dehydration cramps.

Here are some signs of dehydration to watch out for:

• Dry mouth or dry skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Decreased urination or difficulty peeing
• Constipation
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Fatigue and muscle weakness

To fend off and manage dehydration cramps, you need to address your hydration levels. If you have signs of severe dehydration like sunken eyes, fainting, or confusion, seek medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional immediately.

How to Manage Dehydration Cramps

Dehydration cramps can be uncomfortable, and they can reduce performance and increase the risk of injury, whether you’re working out or hard at work on a job site. By staying hydrated, you can manage dehydration and avoid muscle cramps and stomach cramps.

Dehydration is a leading cause of muscle cramps. Thus, the best way to avoid dehydration cramps is to avoid dehydration in the first place. If you think dehydration is causing your muscle or stomach cramps, you can remedy the situation by addressing the dehydration directly.

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what is it, causes and types, first aid

What are convulsions

Seizures are paroxysmal involuntary muscle contractions accompanied by discomfort and pain.

Most often, cramps appear after excessive exercise or during sleep and mainly affect the lower extremities: calf muscles, hamstring (hamstring), anterior thigh (quadriceps muscle). Less common are cramps in the muscles of the chest, arms, and abdomen.

Seizures usually come on suddenly and last from a few seconds to a few minutes. It can be repeated regularly – in this case, they talk about convulsive syndrome .

In practice, cramps of the calf muscles, popliteal and quadriceps muscles are more common

Types of convulsions

Seizures are classified according to the nature of muscle involvement, prevalence and mechanism of development.

Types of seizures according to the nature of muscle involvement:

• tonic – sharp and prolonged (sometimes up to a minute) muscle contractions, in which the limbs or the whole body seem to “freeze” in a forced position. The body is tense, the back is arched;
• clonic – irregular fast muscle contractions. The person throws his head back, takes his hands back, blinks very quickly. At the same time, the eyes can rotate, and the jaws can make involuntary chewing movements;
• tonic-clonic, or mixed, – alternation of prolonged spasm and rapid contractions of skeletal muscles.

Tonic and clonic convulsions

Type of convulsions by group of muscles affected:

• flexor – flexor muscles involved;
• extensor – extensor muscles are involved.

Types of seizures by prevalence:

• partial (focal) – cover one muscle group;
• generalized – affect several muscle groups.

Types of convulsions according to the mechanism of development:

• epileptic;
• non-epileptic.

Physiological causes of seizures

Seizures are not always caused by any disease. Sometimes this condition occurs after excessive physical exertion, in women – during pregnancy.

Convulsions after exercise

In healthy people, seizures may occur after intense physical activity. As a rule, the spasm begins in the calf muscle, then spreads to the foot and thigh area.

Most often, seizures in athletes are caused by dehydration. Due to profuse sweating, a person loses a lot of moisture. The water balance in the body is disturbed, and first of all, the brain suffers from this – a person has a severe headache, dizziness, and convulsions.

As a rule, spasms after physical activity are not accompanied by pain and pass on their own – after restoration of water and electrolyte balance

Convulsions during pregnancy

During pregnancy, global changes occur in a woman’s body, which are often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms.

During the first trimester, a pregnant woman may experience mild cramps that resemble menstrual cramps. Typically, such muscle contractions are associated with the development of the embryo.

In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, convulsions may be associated with circulatory disorders in the pelvis. The uterus increases in size and begins to compress the inferior vena cava. Avoiding vein compression syndrome is very simple: do not lie on your back. In the vertical position, blood flow normalizes and the condition of the pregnant woman improves rapidly. Another common cause of seizures during pregnancy is a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins (including potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron).

In general, convulsions during pregnancy should not be regarded as a physiological norm. Sometimes this can be one of the manifestations of eclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy.

Febrile convulsions

Febrile seizures usually develop in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. With a sharp rise in temperature to 38-39 ° C, the need for oxygen in the brain increases. Oxygen starvation develops, a convulsive attack begins.

The child may twitch (clonic convulsions) or freeze in a tense position (tonic convulsions). Fortunately, despite the severe clinical picture, febrile convulsions are usually not life-threatening or life-threatening.

Pathological causes of convulsions

Depending on the type of seizures – tonic, clonic or tonic-clonic – their causes differ.

Causes of tonic seizures

A characteristic symptom of tonic convulsions is a sudden tension in the muscles of the body. For the entire duration of the attack, the person seems to freeze in a forced position, while his teeth are strongly compressed, his torso and legs are extended, and his arms are bent.

Main causes of tonic seizures:

• epilepsy in children is a pathology in which excessive electrical activity occurs in the brain;
• infectious diseases: influenza, parainfluenza, rotavirus and adenovirus infection, tonsillitis, pneumonia, tetanus, rabies;
• fluid and electrolyte disorders: excess potassium or lack of calcium and magnesium in the body;
• endocrine diseases, including diabetes mellitus;
• hereditary metabolic pathologies: leucinosis (maple syrup disease), phenylketonuria, glycogenosis, Gaucher’s disease, Norman-Wood’s disease;
• cardiovascular pathologies, including acute hypotension – a decrease in blood pressure by more than 20% compared to normal indicators;
• renal and hepatic insufficiency;
• hyperventilation syndrome – a condition in which the blood is oversaturated with oxygen;
• alcohol intoxication;
• carbon monoxide poisoning, strychnine;
• drug overdose: neuroleptics, morphine;
• severe overheating or hypothermia.

Tonic convulsions may develop in a child during an epileptic seizure

Causes of clonic seizures

In clonic convulsions, muscle contraction and relaxation alternate. During an attack, the patient’s arms and legs are usually bent and the body extended. If the spasm affects the respiratory muscles, then the person cannot speak normally, begins to stutter.

Main causes of clonic seizures:

• epilepsy in adults;
• stroke;
• tumors of the spinal cord;
• childhood infections: measles, chickenpox;
• gray matter lesions of the brain: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis;
• Tay-Sachs disease;
• Down syndrome;
• tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disease that affects the central nervous system;
• poisoning with arsenic, formaldehyde.

Causes of tonic-clonic seizures

Tonic-clonic seizures usually involve three stages. At the first stage, a person experiences strong muscle tension, while his pupils dilate, his eyes may roll back. In the second stage, involuntary convulsions occur. On the third, profuse salivation begins, foam may come from the mouth.

Main causes of tonic-clonic seizures:

• vascular pathologies: stroke (acute cerebrovascular accident), aneurysm (protrusion of the artery wall, arteriovenous malformation) – a condition in which pathologically tortuous vessels appear between arteries and veins instead of a network of capillaries;
• infectious diseases: poliomyelitis, cholera, meningitis, encephalitis;
• arterial hypertension – chronic high blood pressure;
• eclampsia is the most severe form of late toxicosis: a series of convulsions, first tonic, then clonic, which can develop in the second half of pregnancy, during and after childbirth;
• alcohol and nicotine intoxication;
• poisoning with lead, phosphorus, oxalic acid.

Arterial hypertension is one of the possible causes of tonic-clonic seizures

Symptoms that may accompany convulsions

Quite often convulsions are accompanied by other signs of pathology.

Main symptoms that may accompany convulsions:

• severe darkening of the eyes,
• blurred vision,
• confused mind,
• fuzzy speech,
• mimic change,
• tingling in hands and feet,
• blue skin,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• head tilt,
• feeling of body numbness,
• increased salivation,
• tightly clenched teeth,
• Urinary and fecal incontinence,
• sudden fainting.

If any of these symptoms appear during a seizure, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The most dangerous form of convulsions, an epileptic seizure, is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, numbness of the body and an inexplicable feeling of fear

Diagnostics

If seizures are not occurring for the first time, a physician should be consulted. If the endocrine nature of seizures is suspected, he will refer the patient to an endocrinologist, and to a neurological one, respectively, to a neurologist. If the cause of seizures may be in vascular disorders, the therapist will recommend contacting a phlebologist.

At the appointment, the specialist will collect an anamnesis – draw up a picture of the patient’s complaints, ask about lifestyle and bad habits, and also take an interest in the symptoms that are most disturbing and most often manifest. Then the doctor will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe additional studies.

General and biochemical blood tests will help to assess the state of human health and identify infectious processes.

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If you suspect a lack of calcium (hypocalcemia) or an excess of potassium (hyperkalemia) in the body, the doctor may prescribe targeted studies.

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Comprehensive studies help to exclude or confirm diabetes mellitus – one of the possible causes of seizures.

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Ultrasound – Ultrasound

If you suspect a pathology of the internal organs that could cause convulsions, the doctor may refer the patient to an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, kidneys, and thyroid gland.

Ultrasound is a simple, informative and painless method of examination

During the examination, the specialist uses a special device that sends an ultrasound signal to the organ being examined. The signal is reflected and picked up by the sensor. Then the computer processes the received information and displays an image on the monitor – a cross section of the organ.

Ultrasound duplex scanning

Ultrasound is a study that allows you to assess the condition of the vessels of the neck and other parts of the body, as well as to detect circulatory disorders.

Thanks to duplex ultrasound, it is possible to diagnose atherosclerosis and thrombosis, as well as other vascular pathologies that can provoke seizures.

During the procedure, the specialist scans the vessels using an ultrasonic sensor. The device reacts to erythrocytes (red blood cells) moving in the blood and sends signals to the monitor, which are then converted into a two-dimensional color image of blood vessels in a section.

The procedure is painless and lasts from 15–20 (if examining neck vessels) to 30 minutes (if examining cerebral vessels).

MRI – magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect congenital developmental pathologies, head injuries, neoplasms and epileptic disorders that can cause seizures in humans.

The main advantage of MRI is the absence of radiation, since a harmless magnetic field is used for “transmission”. The examination can be carried out an unlimited number of times, which is convenient for assessing the development of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.

MRI examination of the brain usually lasts 15-20 minutes

CT – computed tomography

Computed tomography (CT) is an “advanced” version of X-ray that takes pictures in layers. The result is not a flat image, but a real three-dimensional model of the organ under study. At the same time, during CT, the patient receives a lower dose of radiation.

CT scan reveals tuberous sclerosis, one of the causes of seizures. In addition, the study well visualizes brain tumors, injuries and anomalies in the structure of the skull bones.

Computed optical tomography of the spine

For seizures of unclear nature, the doctor may order the patient a computed optical tomography of the spine. This study allows you to determine the shapes, sizes and positions of the body bends from a series of photographic images.

The procedure is absolutely painless and takes only 7-10 minutes. As a result, the patient receives a 3D image of the spine at rest and in motion, the conclusion and recommendations of a traumatologist or orthopedist.

Treatment

Regardless of the cause, convulsions are considered an acute condition requiring medical attention.

Before visiting a doctor, local cramps can be relieved with the help of self-massage, pinching and muscle stretching. If the patient develops a seizure, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the ambulance arrives, it is necessary to put a pillow or roller under the person’s head, clean the mouth from foam and mucus, and provide fresh air.

If a patient has a seizure, you should not try to open his teeth with fingers, a spoon or other objects.

Which doctor to contact

General practitioners, endocrinologists, neurologists, surgeons or phlebologists deal with the diagnosis and treatment of convulsive syndrome.

Medical therapy

Depending on the cause that caused the convulsions, the following groups of drugs can be used for treatment:

• anticonvulsants. Such drugs reduce brain activity, thereby preventing the development of an epileptic seizure;
• electrolytes – help relieve muscle spasm and reduce the level of potassium in the blood;
• antihypertensive drugs – normalize blood pressure;
• diuretics – allow you to eliminate cerebral edema;
• antidotes – allow you to cope with intoxication, chemical poisoning;
• antibiotics and antivirals – treat bacterial and viral infections.

Surgical treatment

If medical therapy fails, surgery may be required.

The main types of operations used to treat convulsive syndrome:

• resection (removal) of part of the temporal lobe;
• hemispherectomy – removal or disconnection of a cerebral hemisphere;
• subpial transsection – excision of the epileptic focus in the area where it borders on healthy brain tissues;
• callosotomy – dissection of the corpus callosum, which transmits nerve impulses from one hemisphere to another;
• thrombectomy – removal of a blood clot from a vessel;
• angioplasty with stenting – surgical restoration of blood flow.

Prophylaxis

In most cases, one-time seizures can be prevented by self-massage and stretching. And you can avoid their repetition by observing the regime of work and rest, eating rationally and giving up smoking and alcoholic beverages.

Basic measures to prevent seizures:

• moderate physical activity. Exercises are best performed under the supervision of a medical specialist or trainer;
• active lifestyle: hiking, cycling, yoga, fitness;
• lifestyle changes. If the work is sedentary, then several times a day it is useful to do a warm-up or light exercises;
• salt restriction, obligatory presence in the diet of vegetables, meat, cereals, dairy products;
• normalization of the drinking regime. It is important to drink as much fluid as the body requires;
• creating a comfortable place to sleep. It is advisable to use an orthopedic mattress with small pillows;
• kneading muscles before going to bed.

Sources

1. Hypoparathyroidism in adults: clinical guidelines / Russian Association of Endocrinologists, Association of Endocrine Surgeons, Russian Society of Head and Neck Tumor Specialists. 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines for the provision of emergency medical care for convulsive syndrome, status epilepticus / Russian Society for Emergency Medicine (ROSMP). 2017.
3. Federal clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in epilepsy / Russian Society of Psychiatrists. 2013.
4. Federal clinical guidelines for the provision of emergency medical care for convulsions in children / Union of Pediatricians of Russia, Russian Society for Emergency Medicine, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. 2015.

Leg cramps | causes, treatment, diagnosis and prevention

Leg cramps are common and can affect anyone at any age. This is an extremely uncomfortable sensation where the muscles in the legs contract involuntarily and cannot relax, which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Although seizures are rarely a serious problem, they can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, especially if they occur too often or during sleep. In this article, we’ll look at why leg cramps occur, as well as ways to prevent and treat them.

Contents

• Essence of pathology
• Varieties of convulsions
• Danger
• Causes
• Night cramps
• Diagnostics
• Treatment
• Prophylaxis

The essence of the pathology

When leg cramps appear, unpleasant painful sensations, severe discomfort and inability to move often occur. This phenomenon most often occurs in the elderly, pregnant women and professional athletes. Cramps are characterized by severe muscle spasm, in which muscle tissue becomes elastic and dense to the touch. Spasm can spread to the entire limb, but most often occurs in the calf muscles. If the symptoms appear regularly, are accompanied by pain and negatively affect the quality of life, you should consult a doctor to find out the causes of seizures and prescribe timely treatment.

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Types of cramps

There are several types of leg cramps. First, idiopathic which appear without a specific cause, and secondary which can be caused by a variety of factors, both natural and pathological.

Depending on the nature of muscle contraction, convulsions can be divided into epileptic and non-epileptic . Epileptic seizures are manifested by the simultaneous activation of a group of neurons in the brain and excessive stimulation of peripheral muscles. Non-epileptic seizures may occur for other reasons.

There are also hereditary krumps, which are a more stable variant of idiopathic seizures.

What is the danger?

Many people think leg cramps are minor and don’t go to the doctor about it. However, if a person suffers from cramps often, this can lead to complications, since cramps can be the first sign of an emerging pathology in the body. Although generalized epileptic seizures are very dangerous, persistent local muscle spasms can also indicate the initial stage of metabolic disorders that can lead to serious diseases such as diabetes mellitus , arthritis , varicose veins , which can be fatal if not treated. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor if frequent cramps cause anxiety and interfere with a comfortable state.

Causes of leg cramps

Leg cramps can be due to various reasons. One of them is the increased activity of the cerebral cortex, as well as a decrease in the nerve conduction of the fibers and the level of ATP in the blood. These processes can be caused by various factors, such as intense physical activity, traumatic brain injury, stressful situations and wearing uncomfortable shoes. However, the most common source of leg cramps is varicose veins . The diagnosis is carried out by a phlebologist who will help determine the factors that provoked the appearance of seizures in a particular case.

There are a number of common causes of daytime and nighttime leg cramps, including:

1. Deficiency, deficiency of vitamins and minerals that can occur due to dehydration, strenuous exercise or malnutrition. Symptoms can be caused by a lack of B vitamins and magnesium.
2. Hypoglycemia, which may occur in people with diabetes, especially when insulin is administered. Treatment should be carried out only by a specialist who will select an individual therapy regimen and dosage of insulin.
3. Excessive exercise, especially in athletes such as football players, basketball players and weightlifters.
4. Seizures can occur with thrombophlebitis and varicose veins, regardless of the stage of development of these diseases.
5. Atherosclerosis, which puts high pressure on the entire circulatory system, especially on the heart and blood vessels. The basis of its development may be hereditary predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and high cholesterol.
6. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels can negatively affect blood flow and lead to swelling, pain and cramps in the legs both at night and during the day.
7. Hormonal changes can cause leg cramps in women during pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives, during menopause, or during puberty during drastic changes in hormonal levels.
8. With increased stress on the central nervous system, frequent stress and sleep disturbances, muscle spasms can also occur, which can go away on their own after the cause is eliminated.

In addition to diseases, cramps can also be caused by other factors, for example:

1. When wearing beautiful but uncomfortable shoes with heels, which can lead to varicose veins and cause swelling and painful muscle spasms.
2. An unbalanced diet devoid of essential nutrients can lead to chronic digestive diseases and beriberi, which can also cause painful cramps.
3. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and pain medications can also cause seizures.

Nocturnal leg cramps

Often, leg twitching syndrome is characteristic of some diseases and can develop suddenly. Muscle spasms occur at night, causing discomfort during sleep. This condition can be short-term or long-term and accompanied by weakness in the muscles after an attack. Chronic venous insufficiency is one of the common symptoms of this condition and the elderly and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. In some cases, it may be a symptom of epilepsy or other neurological conditions. Even the most well-rested people experience twitching of the feet and toes at night, which can be caused by a deficiency of trace minerals such as sodium and others. Leg cramps can also occur when muscles are overloaded, dehydrated, or stay in one position for a long time. In most cases, such attacks are idiopathic, that is, they occur without apparent reason, and do not pose a health risk. However, they can be symptoms of serious diseases such as venous insufficiency or arterial dysfunction. Nocturnal spasms most often occur in the calf muscles and may be accompanied by sharp pain, tissue hardening, discomfort, redness and swelling, and muscle weakness.

Diagnosis may sometimes require a procedure using lower extremity fluid samples. To treat this symptom, it is often necessary to do moderate exercise and provide a good diet, including mineral elements and other micronutrients. Controlling body weight and wearing comfortable shoes can also help. In some cases, it is necessary to consult a surgeon to identify the cause of this condition. Nighttime attacks of leg cramps are often accompanied by heaviness in the legs and require timely treatment. If you experience such a symptom, you should not self-medicate and take any medication for seizures. It is necessary to contact a phlebologist in a timely manner to find out the cause of this condition.

Diagnosis

During the initial consultation with a phlebologist, it is necessary to tell in detail about the possible causes of seizures, their location and duration. The doctor will order a series of tests, including laboratory blood and urine tests, ultrasound of blood vessels, and electromyography, to find out the causes of spasms. Further treatment of leg cramps will depend on the results of the diagnosis.

Treatment

In order to get prescription pills for leg cramps, you need to see a doctor who will conduct a preliminary examination and find out why this condition has occurred. It is possible to stop an attack of seizures with medication, then a complex treatment is prescribed, which is designed to eliminate the occurrence of such a symptom. In most cases, treatment is carried out using conservative methods.

Depending on the occurrence, different groups of drugs may be prescribed, such as:

• multivitamin complexes;
• preparations for relaxing tense muscles;
• means to improve blood supply;
• painkillers.