11 Causes of Leg Cramps

Photo designed by Jcomp

Leg cramps represent an involuntary contraction of leg muscles that are usually harmless. Cramps occur most frequently at night and may last from a couple of seconds to 10 minutes. Cramps in the leg may affect any region of the leg including thighs, calf or feet muscles. Sometimes, leg cramps may be quite painful, and muscle tenderness following cramps may persist for a whole day.

Pain relief meds such as ibuprofen or paracetamol are not helpful for resolving the pain originating from muscle cramps.  Therefore, it is quite important to comprehend the underlying causes of muscle cramps to prevent them from happening or at least significantly reduce their frequency.

Below are some of the most common causes of leg cramps. Some represent the physiological response to exercise or volume depletion, while others occur due to pathological conditions and require the attention of a healthcare professional.

1. Dehydration

Dehydration is known to be one of the most common causes of leg cramps. Inadequate hydration during physical exercise or any exertion, especially during the summer, may provoke leg cramps. Athletes most especially need to be aware of this and take the necessary precautions.

If you sweat a lot during exertion it is advisable you take plenty of water to keep the correct balance of water and electrolytes in the body – this will help to reduce or fully eliminate leg cramps.

2. Mineral Deficiency

Inadequate intake of several minerals might aggravate leg cramps.  When sweating, the body is not only losing water, but also losing minerals that are essential for the nerves and muscle function. The loss of water, combined with the loss of minerals and electrolytes causes instability of the muscles and nerves which directly leads to the development of leg cramps.

The imbalance of sodium, magnesium, and calcium are usually blamed when muscle cramps occur. A proper intake of liquid enriched with electrolytes and minerals, such as sports drinks, will help prevent the development of muscle cramps. Also, foods enriched with minerals and electrolytes, such as bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach or yogurt will provide the sufficient amounts of minerals to keep the leg cramps from developing.

More causes on next page…




mm
About Dr Alex Grbovic 13 Articles
Dr Aleksandar Grbović is a medical doctor from the Belgrade University, Faculty of Medicine. He is passionate about promoting medicine by bridging the gap between the patient’s and doctor’s point of view. Currently working in the biggest Occupational Medicine Institute in Serbia and attending the Radiology residency program.

38 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. online pharmacy cialis comparison
  2. cheap viagra prescription
  3. viagra online purchase singapore
  4. buy viagra discount
  5. buy viagra new york
  6. viagra super active plus
  7. cialis professional ingredients
  8. tadalafil troche side effects
  9. tadalafil professional 20 mg
  10. tadalafil 20mg dosage
  11. neurontin famille
  12. metronidazole mengobati
  13. sulfamethoxazole names
  14. valtrex thirst
  15. pregabalin for sleep dosage
  16. tamoxifen diarrhoea
  17. furosemide anaphylaxis
  18. metformin intestine
  19. lisinopril shivering
  20. first week on semaglutide
  21. adverse effects of semaglutide
  22. 1st choice meds semaglutide
  23. syp metronidazole
  24. teva cephalexin
  25. zoloft makes me last longer in bed
  26. cbd and fluoxetine dogs
  27. can i take ibuprofen with keflex
  28. lexapro insomnia
  29. generic of cymbalta
  30. gabapentin loopy
  31. escitalopram withdrawal symptoms
  32. how much is generic sildenafil
  33. duloxetine side effects weight loss
  34. azithromycin expired 6 months ago
  35. what is cephalexin 500mg
  36. how long should my dog take ciprofloxacin
  37. bactrim pediatric dosing calculator
  38. bactrim constipation reddit

Comments are closed.

Disclaimer

The content of this website is not intended to be taken as a replacement for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, dietician, nutritionist or fitness instructor. If you experience any medical symptoms you should consult your doctor immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.