Cramping in the leg is one of the most common conditions experienced by people of all age groups. Sportsmen and dancers are specially more prone to suffer from leg cramps. Cramping is nothing but a sudden and painful contraction of the leg that can occur at any time of the day and night. Leg cramps is also commonly observed by women during pregnancy. So what causes leg cramps? There are several leg cramp causes ranging from minor to severe ones. Let us take a look at them in detail.
Causes of Leg Cramps
In minor cases, leg cramps can be caused due to sudden movement of the leg. If one moves the leg after a long time, it can result in a cramping. This usually occurs during the night. Apart from this, there are several other causes of leg cramps at night and day.
Exercise
Sudden strenuous and rigorous exercise is one of the common reasons for leg cramps in people. People who do not exercise regularly, yet carry out rigorous exercise suddenly, experience upper and lower leg cramps.
Dehydration
One should be aware that muscles in the body require water for proper functioning. If you wish to know what causes leg cramps at night, then remember that one experiences leg cramps if the body lacks in water or is dehydrated. Dehydration is one of the major causes of leg cramps at night.
Mineral Deficiency
Muscles deficiency is the answer to your query what causes leg cramps while sleeping? Mineral deficiency and dehydration often go hand-in-hand in causing leg cramps in children and adults. When the body becomes deficient in minerals like potassium, calcium and other electrolytes, cramping in the leg muscles take place.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the size of the uterus increases which also leads to increase in the woman's body weight. The excess weight exerts pressure on the legs and this what causes leg cramps during pregnancy. Cramps in legs during pregnancy is very common and usually nothing to worry about.
Use of Medications
Use of certain medications is one of the other prominent leg cramp causes. Medications like diuretics when consumed in excess can lead to mineral or electrolyte imbalance which in turn leads to severe leg cramps.
Diseases and Disorders
Apart from the above mentioned ones, if you wish to know what causes leg cramps, then it can also be a symptom of some medical conditions. Leg muscle cramps can be symptom of diseases like type 2 diabetes, Addison's disease, cirrhosis, gastric bypass surgery, kidney failure, etc. Use of alcohol is also termed as one of the potential leg cramp causes.
If one experiences frequent leg cramps, it is essential to consult the doctor immediately. Treatment of leg cramps depends on the cause and varies according to it. Usually no medications are required for treating leg cramps; there are several self help methods to get rid of cramping of leg muscles. Firstly, it is advisable to drink adequate amounts of water (8 - 10 glasses) a day to treat dehydration and prevent leg cramps. One should perform exercise regularly and preferably under the supervision of a trainer. On the other hand, pregnant women should consult the doctor before going for any medications to treat cramping. The doctor may advise leg exercises to treat muscle cramping.
Causes of Leg Cramps
In minor cases, leg cramps can be caused due to sudden movement of the leg. If one moves the leg after a long time, it can result in a cramping. This usually occurs during the night. Apart from this, there are several other causes of leg cramps at night and day.
Exercise
Sudden strenuous and rigorous exercise is one of the common reasons for leg cramps in people. People who do not exercise regularly, yet carry out rigorous exercise suddenly, experience upper and lower leg cramps.
Dehydration
One should be aware that muscles in the body require water for proper functioning. If you wish to know what causes leg cramps at night, then remember that one experiences leg cramps if the body lacks in water or is dehydrated. Dehydration is one of the major causes of leg cramps at night.
Mineral Deficiency
Muscles deficiency is the answer to your query what causes leg cramps while sleeping? Mineral deficiency and dehydration often go hand-in-hand in causing leg cramps in children and adults. When the body becomes deficient in minerals like potassium, calcium and other electrolytes, cramping in the leg muscles take place.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the size of the uterus increases which also leads to increase in the woman's body weight. The excess weight exerts pressure on the legs and this what causes leg cramps during pregnancy. Cramps in legs during pregnancy is very common and usually nothing to worry about.
Use of Medications
Use of certain medications is one of the other prominent leg cramp causes. Medications like diuretics when consumed in excess can lead to mineral or electrolyte imbalance which in turn leads to severe leg cramps.
Diseases and Disorders
Apart from the above mentioned ones, if you wish to know what causes leg cramps, then it can also be a symptom of some medical conditions. Leg muscle cramps can be symptom of diseases like type 2 diabetes, Addison's disease, cirrhosis, gastric bypass surgery, kidney failure, etc. Use of alcohol is also termed as one of the potential leg cramp causes.
If one experiences frequent leg cramps, it is essential to consult the doctor immediately. Treatment of leg cramps depends on the cause and varies according to it. Usually no medications are required for treating leg cramps; there are several self help methods to get rid of cramping of leg muscles. Firstly, it is advisable to drink adequate amounts of water (8 - 10 glasses) a day to treat dehydration and prevent leg cramps. One should perform exercise regularly and preferably under the supervision of a trainer. On the other hand, pregnant women should consult the doctor before going for any medications to treat cramping. The doctor may advise leg exercises to treat muscle cramping.
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