Nighttime cramps are frequent and sometimes very painful.
While they are usually not serious, they may require a visit to a doctor if they persist.
There is nothing more unpleasant than waking up with leg pain.
Nighttime cramps occur more often in the lower limbs, particularly the calf, thigh, or ankle. The pain is relatively short-lived but can be very intense.
What is a nocturnal cramp? Definition
A cramp is an involuntary muscle contraction that begins suddenly. It most often occurs after physical exertion, but it can also occur at night or during sleep. This cramp occurs when a muscle or group of muscles fails to relax after movement. We move at night without realizing it, so cramps occur even during sleep.
What causes nocturnal cramps? What deficiencies cause them?
There are many causes of nocturnal cramps. They often occur at night after a particularly intense workout, when you miss a workout, or skip a warm-up. They can also be caused by insufficient hydration or a lack of potassium or sodium – two electrolytes essential for muscle contraction.
Excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, poor circulation, blood pressure and cholesterol medications, and pregnancy can also cause nighttime cramps.
What diseases cause these muscle spasms?
In some cases, nocturnal cramps are caused by an underlying medical condition. This includes chronic kidney failure, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and certain neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or polio. People with arteritis, varicose veins, or Raynaud’s disease are also more likely to experience nocturnal cramps.
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