Patient education: Nocturnal (nighttime) leg cramps (The Basics)

What are nocturnal (nighttime) leg cramps? — Nighttime leg cramps cause pain and sudden muscle tightness in the legs, feet, or both. The cramps can wake you up from sleep. They can last for many minutes or just a few seconds.

Nighttime leg cramps are common in both adults and children. But as people get older, they are more likely to get them. About half of people older than 50 years get nighttime leg cramps.

What causes nighttime leg cramps? — Most nighttime leg cramps do not have a clear cause. When doctors do find causes, they can include:

●Having an abnormal leg or foot structure – For example, having flat feet or a knee that bends in the wrong direction.

●Sitting in an awkward position, or sitting too long in 1 position

●Standing or walking a lot on concrete floors

●Changes in your body's fluid balance – This can happen if you:

•Take medicines called diuretics (also called "water pills")

•Are on dialysis (a kind of treatment for kidney disease)

•Sweat too much

●Exercise

●Having certain conditions – For example, Parkinson disease, diabetes, or low thyroid (also called hypothyroidism).

●Being pregnant – Some pregnant people do not have enough of the mineral magnesium in their blood. This can cause leg cramps.

●Taking certain medicines

What can I do to feel better? — You can try to:

●Ride a stationary bike for a few minutes before bed – If you normally don't exercise much, this might help.

●Do stretching exercises (picture 1).

●Wear shoes with firm support, especially at the back of your foot around your heel.

●Keep the bed covers loose at the foot of your bed and not tucked in.

●Drink 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.)

●Limit alcohol and caffeine.

●Stay cool when you exercise, and don't exercise in very hot weather or hot rooms.

If you get a cramp, slowly stretch the cramped muscle. To prevent more cramps, you can try to:

●Walk around or jiggle your leg or foot.

●Lie down with your legs and feet up.

●Take a hot shower with water spraying on the cramp for 5 minutes, or take a warm bath.

●Rub the cramp with ice wrapped in a towel.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See a doctor or nurse if:

●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.

Will I need tests? — 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 cramps. Depending on your symptoms and exam, you might need blood tests.

How are nighttime leg cramps treated? — Treatment is different for everyone. Most people have to try a few different things before they find a treatment that helps them.

Treatment options include:

●Lifestyle changes – For example, you can exercise differently, do stretching exercises, wear shoes with good support, and drink enough fluids.

●Taking supplements – These 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 that could cause cramps – But do not stop taking any medicine unless your doctor or nurse says that it is OK.

●Taking medicines – There are 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.

What if my child gets nocturnal leg cramps? — Nocturnal leg cramps are common in children. Talk to your child's doctor or nurse if your child:

●Has leg cramps often

●Cannot sleep well because of leg cramps

Nocturnal leg cramps can run in families. Tell your doctor or nurse if someone else in your family also has nocturnal leg cramps.

More on this topic

Patient education: Restless legs syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Insomnia (The Basics)
Patient education: Good sleep hygiene (The Basics)

Patient education: Insomnia (Beyond the Basics)