Night cramps

Why do I get night cramps regularly?

Night cramps are painful involuntary muscle spasms and commonly occur in the legs. Night cramps usually involve the calf or foot muscles. Some night cramps can be agonizingly painful and last more than 20 minutes. Most resolve within a few minutes.

In most cases, the cause of night cramps is never known. Night cramps are generally harmless but they may be due to an underlying disorder like diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. For some unknown reason night cramps also increase with age. Pregnant women also tend to experience night cramps which disappear once the baby has been delivered.

Other causes of night cramps include excess alcohol consumption, liver failure, and several blood pressure medications. Dehydration, use of water pills, under active thyroid gland, kidney failure, muscle fatigue after exercise and Parkinson disease.

If your cramps persist and you are unable to sleep, it is best to see a physician. Unfortunately, many general physicians have no clue how to treat this annoying disorder. The best home remedy for night cramps includes drinking ample fluids, massaging the muscle, application of ice after intense work outs, walking around, applying a warm compress or taking a hot shower. For those prone to recurrent night cramps, wear proper shoes during the day and stretching prior to exercise. In some cases, none of these remedies help and the cramp usually disappears with rest and time. There are several medications that can be taken to relieve cramps. Doctors often prescribe baclofen or valium. While these medications do work, they also have potent side effects.