Coping with LEG CRAMPS

These are common, are generally harmless muscle spasms and don’t last a long time

Cramps usually affect the calf muscles but can occur in any muscle. Around 75% of cases occur at night when you're asleep. During cramp, a muscle contracts, causing uncontrollable, acutely painful spasms lasting several minutes. Thigh muscle cramps tend to last the longest. It's also common when resting after exercise. During a cramping episode, the affected muscles will become tight and painful, and the feet and toes will be stiff. After the cramps have passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your legs for several hours.

There may be no apparent reason (idiopathic leg cramps), although theories include dehydration leading to a drop in salt levels, abnormal nerve activity during sleep or excessive leg muscle strain.

Other possible causes include a sudden restriction in blood supply to the affected muscles or age-related tendon shortening, causing connected muscles to cramp.

Cramps can be secondary to health conditions, including pregnancy, certain medications (such as cholesterol-lowering medication, diuretics or nifedipine), nerve disorders (including motor neurone disease or peripheral neuropathy), liver disease, infections, such as tetanus, or exposure to toxins, including lead or mercury.

Speak to your GP if your leg cramps are affecting your quality of life, sleep or walking. They'll examine you, checking your blood supply to exclude a specific muscle pain called claudication, due to poor blood or oxygen supply, and check your nervous system, asking if you've numbness or swelling, then consider your medication. You may need blood and urine tests to rule out other conditions.