Pain that affects the legs during the night is called nocturnal leg cramps or night cramping in legs. This pain happens usually because of the lack of the activity during the day, and can even wake you up in the middle of the night since it can be so strong. Although night cramping is more common in the calf area, it can also occur in the feet and thights. Pain duration can varie from a couple of seconds to several minutes.
Nocturnal leg cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Both nocturnal cramping and restless leg syndrome happen during the night. In all other aspects they are different and we give you some of their main differences:
The resting leg syndrome is described as a feeling of soreness/ crawling in the lower limbs.
As opposed to nocturnal cramping, this syndrome does not trigger pain or cramps.
When you expirience the resting leg syndrome, moving your legs will bring you some relief, in contrary to nocturnal leg cramps where you will not feel relief, and you should stretch your leg instead of moving it.
The syndrome forces you to move the limbs, but when dealing with cramps, the last thing you want to do is move.
What causes leg cramps at night and which are the risk factors?
Eventhough the real causes of nocturnal leg cramps are still in the shade of mystery, experts have defined several potential causes and risk factors that induce cramping such as:
- Improper sitting posture
- Sedentery lifestyle
- Standing for long hours or working in rooms with concrete floors
- Over-exertion of lower limb muscles
Certain medical conditions may also cause leg cramping. Here are the most common:
- Statins, diuretics, beta agonists
- Endocrine disorder, such as diabetes
- Neuromuscular disorder
- Structural disorder, such as flat feet
- Parkinson’s disease
Treatment and prevention of leg cramps
The causer of nocturnal leg cramps is the main factor for their treatment. For example, if dehydration is the causer, you should consider drinking more liquid throughout the day. However, you can use some other preventative methods or treatments that will bring you some great relief:
- Perform some stretching exercises before going to bed
- Enjoy a hot, relaxing bath before you go to bed; it will free your muscles of the tightness
- Support the affected area with a heating pad
- Always wear a comfortable and ergonimic shoes; Keep your high heels in the closet for a while
- Horse chestnut stimulates blood flow in the entire body, including the lower limbs
- Increase your magnesium and potassium intake, because their deficiency is often associated with leg cramps.
- Water exercises build strong leg muscles
- Acupuncture works well and releases the tightness from the muscles
What you should do in cases of leg cramps?
Leg cramps are the most annoying thing that can happen to you in the middle of the night, but the worst part is that they almost paralyze you. Use these handy tricks that will give you some relief.
Here are some of them:
Gently massage the sore spot using circular motions
Get up and carefully walkd around for a while; in order to stimulate your blood flow, shake your leg
Relieve the discomfort with a tablespoon of yellow mustard
Prevent your leg muscles from contracting by loosening your blankets and sheets
Sit on the floor and stretch your legs; Flex your feet at the ankle area; Point your toes in the direction of your knees, and pull the feet for an optimal stretch.