People who have jobs that require long intervals of standing and walking are often more susceptible to leg and foot cramps as well. All that activity can fatigue muscles, leading to a dysregulation of the nerve impulses which control muscle contraction. Overexertion and muscle fatigue - If you are not used to strenuous exercise and on a whim decide to go on a hike in the mountains, then you are a candidate for leg muscle cramping. So, what causes nighttime muscle cramping and why do they happen mainly at night? And even more importantly, what can you do to prevent them or calm them down when you do get them?įirst, let’s look at some of the common causes of nighttime leg and foot cramps: If experienced regularly, these unwelcome nighttime visitors can severely disrupt sleep, and can even cause anxiety about going to bed. Also known as “charley horses,” these sudden, involuntary and intense muscle contractions are more frequent as you get older, affecting nearly one in three adults. calf muscle cramps often develop if the calf muscle has been overstretched and/or torn as a protective mechanism to prevent further injury.If you have ever been jolted from sleep by a painful cramp in your foot or calf, you are certainly not alone, as nearly half of all adults, as well as nearly ten percent of children report getting leg and foot cramps at some point. Trauma often causes the muscles to spasm to protect from further damage e.g. Athletes and dancers who place more stress on their feet are more prone to foot and toe cramps, runners are more prone to calf muscle cramps 10) Injury too intensely or for too long, or your body is generally fatigued, you are more likely to develop cramp. If you have been over-working your muscles, e.g. Tightness in the calf muscles can cause calf cramps and tightness in the foot muscles, especially those running under the sole of the foot, can cause foot and toe cramps 9) Fatigue This reduces oxygen levels in the muscles leading to cramp 7) Lack of ExerciseĬan result in muscle weakness and obesity, both of which increase the risk of cramp 8) Muscle Tightness One of the most common is Diuretics, commonly known as water pills, which increases urine production that can cause an imbalance of calcium and potassium 6) Reduced Circulation Some medications can cause cramping as a side effect. Conditions such as Diabetes, thyroid problems, anaemia, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s all increase the risk of foot cramps 5) Medication Smoking and excessive alcohol intake also increase the risk of dehydration 4) Health IssuesĬramp may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Sweating reduces the levels of calcium, potassium and magnesium. pinched, signals cannot pass through properly correctly resulting in foot cramps 3) Dehydration Nerves transmit the signals from your brain to the muscles, telling them when to contract and relax. Vitamin B6: is vital for health function of nerves and muscles 2) Nerve Damage Magnesium: lack of magnesium locks calcium and sodium ions into the muscle, preventing it from relaxing Getting at least fifteen minutes of sunlight a day helps prevent a lack of vitamin D Vitamin D: helps absorb calcium and magnesium. Potassium: low potassium levels are known as hypokalemia and can be caused by excessive vomiting or sweating, kidney problems and medication Lack of vitamin E can therefore reduce oxygen levels to the muscles resulting in foot cramps Vitamin E: promotes good circulation and is needed for the production of red blood cells.
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