Nocturnal Leg Cramps

Leg cramps that strike at night are not only painful, but they interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. Muscles can seize up and cause intense pain for as much as 10 minutes before relaxing. You wake up in the morning groggy from lack of sleep and often with sore muscles.

What Causes Nocturnal Leg Cramps?

Leg cramps at night usually occur in the calf muscles, but they may also affect your hamstrings, quads or even your feet. Muscles typically feel hard to the touch, and you may even find it difficult to move your leg.

But what causes these muscle spasms? Unfortunately, the cause of nocturnal leg cramps is often unknown, but there are several lifestyle factors that may contribute to the condition.

If you are sedentary throughout the day, your legs are more likely to cramp at night, especially if you often sit and sleep with your toes pointed, which shortens the calf muscles. Lack of exercise can also decrease your mobility and shorten the tendons that connect your muscles to your bones. This can also contribute to muscle cramps.

On the other end of the spectrum, muscle overexertion can also contribute to muscle cramps. Watch for problems if you overdo your leg workout.

Prevention Nocturnal Leg Cramps

When you experience leg cramps, note the amount of activity you engaged in during the day and your posture. This can help you narrow down the factors that may trigger cramps for you. Even if you can’t narrow it down and the muscle cramps strike unexpectedly, there are still some things you can do to prevent problems in the future.

If your job keeps you stuck behind a desk all day, take some time to exercise. This can be as simple as taking a walk and doing some light leg stretches. Wear shoes that offer good support and loosen your covers so that they aren’t putting pressure on your feet.

Finally, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and be sure to get enough electrolytes. You can drink a sports drink or try a comprehensive muscle supplement like Cramp Medic that contains electrolytes and other ingredients to support muscle function.

How Can I Treat Nighttime Leg Cramps?

Sometimes muscle cramps strike anyway. Relieve the cramp by gently massaging the muscle or doing some light stretches. If the cramp is in your calf, pull your toes towards you to lengthen the tight muscle. Heat will also help to relax the muscle and relieve cramping. Take a hot shower or bath or apply a heating pad to the muscle.

Mix up a serving of Cramp Medic for relief in as little as 15 seconds. Unlike other muscle cramp products that only contain magnesium, Cramp Medic’s comprehensive formula is designed for fast acting relief for all muscle cramps and to help to prevent future cramps for up to two weeks.

Be sure to drink plenty of water so your body is hydrated. If your muscle is still sore after the cramp has released, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.