what causes leg cramps severe
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When Should You Worry About Leg Cramps? Also, when the blood supply to the leg muscles is compromised, specifically from a build-up of cholesterol plaques in the arteries, the muscles will cramp. The cramping of the calves during exertion is something called claudication, which heralds the presence of peripheral artery disease, or PAD.
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- According to the Mayo Clinic, the following is what causes leg cramps: -Dehydration -Muscle overuse -Muscle strain Repeating a particular motion for a long period or standing in one place too long may also lead to cramping ... In some cases, leg cramps are caused by chronic ... Main cause of leg cramps www.lifescript.com/health/briefs/m/main_cause_of_leg_cramps.aspx. b> Muscle cramps develop when a muscle involuntarily tightens and will not relax, causing sharp, intense pain. ... The main cause of leg cramps is muscle overuse. Other, less common causes of leg cramps include: Dehydration; Muscle strain or injury; Lack of the minerals potassium ... What causes leg cramps at night www.lifescript.com/health/briefs/w/what_causes_leg_cramps_at_night.aspx.
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Leg Cramp A leg cramp is a sudden, uncontrolled contraction of a muscle. This type of pain is most commonly experienced in the lower extremity, and therefore often called a leg cramp or a charley horse.. Leg cramps occur when the muscle suddenly and forcefully contracts. The most common muscles to contract in this manner are muscles that cross two joints.
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Cramps in the Leg Leg cramps are common. The cause is not known in most cases. However, some medications and diseases sometimes cause leg cramps. Regular calf stretching exercises may prevent leg cramps. Quinine tablets may be advised as a last resort if you have cramps regularly. A leg cramp is a pain that comes from a leg muscle.
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Chiropractic - Muscle Spasm And Cramp Secondary leg cramps are caused by an underlying condition or another identifiable cause. These include: pregnancy: the extra weight of pregnancy can place strain on the leg muscles, making them more vulnerable to cramping. exercise: leg cramps are often experienced when resting after exercise.
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Causes and treatment for leg cramps Leg cramps are sudden, painful involuntary contractions of a leg muscle. The cramp usually only lasts a few minutes, sometimes a few seconds. Rarely though, they can last up to 10 minutes. Sometimes the pain is so severe that the patient is woken up and has a tender muscle for up to 24 hours afterwards.
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Severe Leg Pain mostly in the morning The pain that is associated with muscle cramps that are caused by poor circulation to the legs that worsens with walking is referred to as claudication. Deficiencies of certain vitamins or minerals, including iron deficiency, thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine(B6), can also cause muscle cramps.
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What Causes Leg Pain? Muscle Cramps. The muscles of the legs can cramp and cause severe pain, which may be due to muscle fatigue or overuse, dehydration, or intake of certain medicines like statins (anti-cholesterol drugs) and diuretics.
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What Causes Leg Cramps and How Can You Stop Them? Other causes can include medications such as birth control, diuretics (which are often prescribed for people with high blood pressure) and steroids. A lack of potassium or calcium can also be the underlying cause, as well as cold weather. Acute leg cramps frequently are confused with restless legs syndrome (RLS). But RLS is a different and more serious, chronic condition characterized by discomfort and persistent throbbing and pulling sensations in the legs. How to Prevent Leg Cramps
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Leg Cramp Leg cramps usually last less than one minute, but may last several minutes before the contraction subsides. In some patients, the spasms occur primarily at night, and can awaken the patient from sleep. More severe leg cramps can cause pain that lasts several days after the cramp occurs.
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Leg Cramps If you have frequent and severe leg cramps, talk to your doctor. You'll want to make sure there's not a health problem causing the cramps. Your doctor might also prescribe medication. Drugs don't always work for leg cramps, and they can cause harmful side effects. The anti-malaria drug quinine, for example, was once used for leg cramps, but doctors and the FDA no longer recommend it -- side effects include severe bleeding.
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Muscle Cramps or Spasms Muscle cramps are involuntary contractions (tightening) of muscles. A common type of muscle cramp happens in the calf muscle of the leg and is called by some a charley horse. Muscle cramps are usually caused by over exercising, dehydration, lack of key nutrients, and/or nerve irritation.
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- Leg cramps can be very painful and are fairly common. A leg cramp is a spasm that comes from a muscle in the leg. It usually occurs in one of the calf muscles below and behind the knee. Sometimes, the small muscles of the feet can be affected, as wells as the hands. Typically, a cramp lasts a few minutes. In some cases, it lasts only seconds, but it can last for up to ten minutes. The muscle may remain tender after a severe leg cramp for as long as 24 hours.
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Leg Cramp Causes of Leg Cramps. The most common cause that is typically seen in patients who develop leg cramps is exercising in an unusual way, meaning either more activity or a different exercise. Leg cramps are more common in young (adolescent age) and older (over 65) patients.
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- Leg cramps can occur for no apparent reason, known as idiopathic leg cramps, or as a symptom or complication of a health condition, known as secondary leg cramps. Causes of secondary leg cramps can include: 1  pregnancy. 2  exercise.  certain types of medication, such as statins (medicines that help lower cholesterol levels)
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Expert Q&A When the cause is found, cramping can be due to prolonged sitting or leg position during sedentary activity. Perhaps most commonly, cramps can be due to overuse of muscles that are not accustomed to exercise. The second most common cause is dehydration. Cramps can also be caused by electrolyte and metabolic disorders. Diuretic drugs can commonly cause cramping through dehydration, sodium or potassium depletion. Parathyroid disease causes high or low calcium levels and is associated with cramping, as is thyroid dysfunction.
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Cramp Cramps may occur in a skeletal muscle or smooth muscle. Skeletal muscle cramps may be caused by any combination of muscle fatigue, a lack of electrolytes (e.g., low sodium, low potassium, or low magnesium) . Cramps of smooth muscle may be due to menstruation or gastroenteritis.
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- Leg cramps may happen for several reasons: lack of fluids, injury, muscle strain, or staying in the same position for a long period of time. Blood circulation problems or pressure on the nerves in the spine can also cause cramp-like pains in your legs. Other common causes include: 1  Pregnancy. 2  Diabetes. 3  Decreased potassium level. 4  Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. 5  Certain medications. 6  Alcohol and excess caffeine use. 7  Several vitamin deficiencies may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps including thiamine, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6.
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Why do I often have cramps in my whole body? Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as: 1  Inadequate blood supply. Narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to your legs (arteriosclerosis of the extremities) can produce cramp-like pain in your legs and feet while you're exercising. 2  Nerve compression.
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Overview Most muscle cramps develop in the leg muscles, particularly in the calf. Besides the sudden, sharp pain, you might also feel or see a hard lump of muscle tissue beneath your skin. Muscle cramps usually disappear on their own and are rarely serious enough to require medical care. However, see your doctor if your cramps: 1  Cause severe discomfort. 2  Are associated with leg swelling, redness or skin changes. 3  Are associated with muscle weakness.  Happen 1  frequently. Don't improve with self-care.  Aren't associated with an obvious cause, such as strenuous exercise.
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Cramp in the Calf Muscles Cramp explained. Although the exact cause of leg cramps has not yet been successfully determined there are thought to be a number of possible causes including: Dehydration caused by not taking on enough water, especially in hot conditions. Low water means low blood volume which in turn effects the muscles.
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- Dehydration is the excessive loss of fluids in the body. Low levels of calcium and potassium may also cause muscle cramps, since both minerals contribute to healthy muscle function. Low blood supply to your legs and feet can cause cramping in those areas when you exercise, walk, or participate in physical activities. In some cases, a medical condition can cause muscle cramps. These conditions include: 1  spinal nerve compression, which can cause muscle cramps in your legs when walking or standing. 2  alcoholism. 3  pregnancy. 4  kidney failure.
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What Causes Leg Cramps and How Can You Stop Them? Cramps often result from vigorous exercise, trauma to the muscle, or keeping the leg in an awkward position for too long, such as sitting in a crowded theater. Other causes can include medications such as birth control, diuretics (which are often prescribed for people with high blood pressure) and steroids. A lack of potassium or calcium can also be the underlying cause, as well as cold weather.. Acute leg cramps frequently are confused with restless legs syndrome (RLS) . But RLS is a different and more serious, chronic condition characterized by discomfort and persistent throbbing and pulling sensations in the legs.
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What Are the Causes of Leg & Foot Cramps? For athletes, leg, calf or thigh cramps may occur following intense exercise. Inadequate stretching before or after exercise may cause cramping. Inadequate blood supply can narrow the arteries and produce cramps in the legs and feet while exercising, according to MayoClinic.com. The cramps may go away after exercising.
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What Causes Leg Cramps? In some cases, leg cramps are caused by chronic conditions that require medical attention, including issues with blood flow and nerve compression. If you develop leg cramps that are not prompted by physical activity, or the causes listed above, then seek medical attention.
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- Causes of Muscle Cramps. Muscle cramps have several causes. Some cramps result from overuse of your muscles. This typically occurs while you are exercising. Muscle injuries and dehydration can also trigger cramps. Dehydration is the excessive loss of fluids in the body. Low levels of calcium and potassium may also cause muscle cramps, since both minerals contribute to healthy muscle function. Low blood supply to your legs and feet can cause cramping in those areas when you exercise, walk, or participate in physical activities. In some cases, a medical condition can cause muscle cramps. These conditions include: 1  spinal nerve compression, which can cause muscle cramps in your legs when walking or standing.
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- b> Muscle cramps develop when a muscle involuntarily tightens and will not relax, causing sharp, intense pain. ... The main cause of leg cramps is muscle overuse. Other, less common causes of leg cramps include: Dehydration; Muscle strain or injury; Lack of the minerals potassium ... What causes leg cramps at night www.lifescript.com/health/briefs/w/what_causes_leg_cramps_at_night.aspx.