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What Causes Leg And Foot Cramps At Night?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014
Question: nightly leg and foot cramps
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Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Stretching of muscles can prevent cramps Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. Cramps are caused by hyper excitability of the nerves that stimulate the muscles. They are overwhelmingly the most common type of skeletal muscle cramps. Cramps at rest are very common, especially in older adults, but may be experienced at any age, including childhood. Rest cramps often occur during the night. While not life threatening, night cramps (commonly known as nocturnal cramps) can be painful, disruptive of sleep, and they can recur frequently (that is, many times a night, and/or many nights each week). The actual cause of night cramps is unknown. Sometimes, such cramps are initiated by making a movement that shortens the muscle. An example is pointing the toe down while laying in bed, which shortens the calf muscle, a common site of muscle cramps. The cause of cramps is as following- 1. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. This may be a predisposing factor for the spontaneous true cramps experienced by many older adults. Cramps can also occur in excessive vomiting, dehydration. 2. On drugs which causes excessive urination. Leading to low calcium. Magnesium potassium level. Drugs given for asthma, angina and Parkinsonism also lead to cramps. 3. Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Most cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. For many cramps of the feet and legs, this stretching can often be accomplished by standing up and walking around. Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with vigorous physical activity, fluid and electrolyte (especially sodium and potassium) replacement is essential. Certain drugs like baclofen are helpful. A simple way to prevent night cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to bed 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds. Quinine water tonic is also useful to prevent night cramps before going to bed I hope this information will be helpful to prevent night cramps. If you have further query I shall be glad to answer. Take care Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (4 hours later)
Could you explain why calcium and D3 help dry vagina please.
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Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (14 hours later)
Brief Answer: Vitamin D helps in dry vagina Detailed Answer: Hi It’s good to see you again. Vitamin D is used in Vaginal Renewal Complex to increase the resistance of the vaginal lining to irritation and injury and to strengthen the vaginal wall. But, how they do this, I tried very hard from the online journal and book’s which I have but I could not find I regret for that. Vaginal dryness and atrophy is a silent epidemic that affects many women who are undoubtedly suffering in silence. This chronic and progressive medical condition has been estimated to affect up to 50%-60% of postmenopausal women. Take care and wish you good health Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Mukesh Chugh

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 1619 Questions

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What Causes Leg And Foot Cramps At Night?

Brief Answer: Stretching of muscles can prevent cramps Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. Cramps are caused by hyper excitability of the nerves that stimulate the muscles. They are overwhelmingly the most common type of skeletal muscle cramps. Cramps at rest are very common, especially in older adults, but may be experienced at any age, including childhood. Rest cramps often occur during the night. While not life threatening, night cramps (commonly known as nocturnal cramps) can be painful, disruptive of sleep, and they can recur frequently (that is, many times a night, and/or many nights each week). The actual cause of night cramps is unknown. Sometimes, such cramps are initiated by making a movement that shortens the muscle. An example is pointing the toe down while laying in bed, which shortens the calf muscle, a common site of muscle cramps. The cause of cramps is as following- 1. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. This may be a predisposing factor for the spontaneous true cramps experienced by many older adults. Cramps can also occur in excessive vomiting, dehydration. 2. On drugs which causes excessive urination. Leading to low calcium. Magnesium potassium level. Drugs given for asthma, angina and Parkinsonism also lead to cramps. 3. Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Most cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. For many cramps of the feet and legs, this stretching can often be accomplished by standing up and walking around. Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with vigorous physical activity, fluid and electrolyte (especially sodium and potassium) replacement is essential. Certain drugs like baclofen are helpful. A simple way to prevent night cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to bed 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds. Quinine water tonic is also useful to prevent night cramps before going to bed I hope this information will be helpful to prevent night cramps. If you have further query I shall be glad to answer. Take care Regards