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I Have Multiple Episodes Of Muscle Cramps At Night In My Both Calf Muscles
Question: I have multiple episodes of muscle cramps at night in my both calf muscles. I have this complaint from last 1 month
Brief Answer:
Nocturnal leg cramps
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Nocturnal leg cramps are common and most likely harmless. Leg cramps can result from many reasons like excessive exercise during day, wrong posture at night, electrolytes imbalance (sodium, potassium, calcium), spine/brain issues, medicine use or compressed blood flow to that muscle. Such symptoms may also be seen in pregnancy, obesity or lump in abdomen that compresses blood flow.
Kindly let me know if you have any other symptoms like back pain, high BP, medicine use.
We can do some tests to find cause. Tests include:
- complete blood count
- serum electrolytes (sodium, calcium, potassium) and vitamin D levels
- Doppler ultrasound for blood flow to calf muscles
- MRI/CT brain and spine (if needed).
- Ultrasound abdomen (if needed).
Currently you can manage it by stretching the muscles or hanging the leg during cramp. Drink adequate fluids. Drinking water should be clean.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Nocturnal leg cramps
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Nocturnal leg cramps are common and most likely harmless. Leg cramps can result from many reasons like excessive exercise during day, wrong posture at night, electrolytes imbalance (sodium, potassium, calcium), spine/brain issues, medicine use or compressed blood flow to that muscle. Such symptoms may also be seen in pregnancy, obesity or lump in abdomen that compresses blood flow.
Kindly let me know if you have any other symptoms like back pain, high BP, medicine use.
We can do some tests to find cause. Tests include:
- complete blood count
- serum electrolytes (sodium, calcium, potassium) and vitamin D levels
- Doppler ultrasound for blood flow to calf muscles
- MRI/CT brain and spine (if needed).
- Ultrasound abdomen (if needed).
Currently you can manage it by stretching the muscles or hanging the leg during cramp. Drink adequate fluids. Drinking water should be clean.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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