Nocturnal (Nighttime) Leg Cramps
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Nocturnal (Nighttime) Leg Cramps
Take medicines called diuretics (also called "water pills " пїЅ)Are on dialysis (a kind of treatment for kidney disease)Sweat too muchExercisingHaving certain conditions " пїЅ For example, Parkinson disease, diabetes, or low thyroidBeing pregnant " пїЅ Some pregnant women do not have enough of the mineral magnesium in their blood. This can cause leg cramps.Taking certain medicines Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. Things you can try include: пїЅ пїЅ
If you get a cramp, slowly stretch the cramped muscle. To prevent more cramps, you can try: пїЅ пїЅ
Are there tests I should have? " пїЅ Probably not. Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about your symptoms and do an exam to find out what could be causing your nighttime leg cramps. Depending on your symptoms and exam, you might also need some blood tests. пїЅ пїЅ
How are nighttime leg cramps treated? " пїЅ Treatment is different for everyone. Most people have to try a few different things before they find a treatment that helps them. пїЅ пїЅ
What if my child gets nocturnal leg cramps? " пїЅ Nocturnal leg cramps are common in children. Talk to your child's doctor or nurse if your child: пїЅ пїЅ
Nocturnal leg cramps can run in families. Tell your doctor or nurse if someone else in your family also has nocturnal leg cramps. пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- Riding a stationary bike for a few minutes before bed " пїЅ If you normally get little exercise, this might help.
- Doing stretching exercises (picture 1)
- Wearing shoes with firm support, especially at the back of your foot around your heel
- Keeping bed covers loose at the foot of your bed and NOT tucked in
- Drinking plenty of water, especially if you take diuretics. (Do this only if your doctor or nurse has not told you to limit the amount of water you drink.)
- Limiting the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
- Staying cool when you exercise, and NOT exercising in very hot weather or hot rooms
- Walking around or jiggling your leg or foot
- Lying down with your legs and feet up
- Taking a hot shower with water spraying on the cramp for 5 minutes, or taking a warm bath
- Rubbing the cramp with ice wrapped in a towel
- You wake up several times a night with leg cramps
- Your cramps keep you from getting enough sleep
- Your cramps are very painful
- You have cramps in other parts of your body, such as your upper back or belly
- Making lifestyle changes " пїЅ For example, exercising differently, doing stretching exercises, wearing shoes with good support, or drinking enough fluids
- Taking supplements " пїЅ Supplements are pills, capsules, liquids, or tablets with minerals or vitamins your body needs. Tell your doctor or nurse about any minerals, vitamins, or herbal medicines you already take.
- Stopping any medicines you take that could cause cramps. But do not stop taking any medicine unless your doctor or nurse says it is OK.
- Medicines - Taking prescription medicines that improve sleep, relax muscles, calm overactive nerves, or help in other ways. Doctors and nurses prescribe medicines for nocturnal leg cramps only when other types of treatment do not work.
- Has leg cramps often
- Cannot sleep well because of leg cramps
How to stretch the backs of your legs
Stand facing the wall, feet together, about 2 feet from the wall. With your heels firmly on the floor and your shoulders, hips, and knees lined up straight, lean forward into the wall. This should stretch the backs of your legs. Hold this position for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat 5 times each session, at least twice a day.
Graphic 63450 Version 1.0
How to stretch the backs of your legs
Stand facing the wall, feet together, about 2 feet from the wall. With your heels firmly on the floor and your shoulders, hips, and knees lined up straight, lean forward into the wall. This should stretch the backs of your legs. Hold this position for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat 5 times each session, at least twice a day.
Graphic 63450 Version 1.0