{"id":7131,"date":"2019-06-06T05:50:13","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T05:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7131"},"modified":"2022-02-07T09:28:29","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T09:28:29","slug":"14-unusual-causes-of-leg-cramps-at-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-unusual-causes-of-leg-cramps-at-night\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Unusual Causes of Leg Cramps at Night"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nocturnal leg cramps can occur at any stage of the night, regardless of whether you are sleeping <\/a>or awake. In most cases, the cramps occur as the patient is waking up in the morning. They may straighten their legs, and experience a slight tightness occurring in the calve muscle. As they relax after the stretch, the calve muscle aggressively contracts, causing the onset of a spasm that leads to a painful cramp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These nocturnal cramps can affect people of all ages and genders, but they are most common in people over the age of 40-years old, and in individuals that lead sedentary lifestyles. It\u2019s challenging to identify the causes of night-time cramps, but medical experts believe it has links to lifestyle factors and behaviors that increase tension in the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience night-time cramps, look through these eight causes of the condition to see if any of these factors could be responsible.
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1. Peripheral Artery Disease <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PAD typically occurs in seniors and people with weak circulatory systems. The condition describes a narrowing on the arteries <\/a>that service the peripheral areas of the body, such as the fingers and toes. People who are living with PAD find that their extremities often feel cold, and they have sensations of numbness or weakness in the limbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with the effects of PAD don\u2019t receive enough oxygenated blood to their limbs \u2013 especially when lying down. The body is not a pressurized vessel. Therefore, the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood around the body when you are lying in bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, people who are living with PAD have a narrowing of the arteries that makes it more challenging for the heart to pump blood to the extremities, even when lying down. The constricted arteries place pressure on the heart, and the patient may find that they develop leg cramps as a result of weakened circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.  Spinal Stenosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seniors who are living with chronic bone disease, osteoarthritis<\/a>, or osteoporosis, may find that they start to develop issues with their spine in the advanced stages of the condition. Spinal stenosis describes a situation where the tiny gaps between the vertebrae in the spine start to compress. As a result of compression, the patient may find that the vertebrae trap nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition usually occurs in the lower back, which serves as a hub for the nerves leading down to the lower limbs. When the vertebrae compress onto these nerves, the patient may feel numbness or weakness in the legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nocturnal cramps are also other symptoms of spinal stenosis, and the patient may find that they receive the pains regularly. Patients who are living with degenerative bone diseases, and who experience nocturnal cramps frequently, may need regular physiotherapy sessions to keep their muscles and joints limber and avoid trapped nerves that may cause the onset of night cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.    Anemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anemia <\/a>is a blood disorder that affects the body\u2019s production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. People who have low levels of hemoglobin are anemic, and require treatment to increase the levels of oxygen in their bloodstream,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with anemia may find that their lips turn blue and their fingertips feel cold. These discoloration symptoms occur due to the tissues in the affected area, not receiving sufficient quantities of oxygenated blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of anemia are treatable with an increase in iron intake. Physicians may recommend that the patient use an iron supplement with their meals to increase their hemoglobin count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anemia may also play a role in the development of leg cramps. When we starve the muscle of oxygenated blood, it may start to cramp. If you feel fatigued throughout the day, and you have a shortness of breath in conjunction with the discoloration symptoms mentioned above \u2013 visit your doctor for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.    Cirrhosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition describes the scarring of the liver <\/a>due to infection or lifestyle behaviors \u2013 like alcoholism. The liver is one of the few organs in the body that can regenerate tissues. However, if the patient experiences chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis, it may result in permanent damage to the liver that is irreversible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with chronic liver disease may experience a host of adverse symptoms affecting their health. It\u2019s common for people in the late stages of the disease to develop yellow eyes and yellow skin, due to the elevation in bilirubin production by the liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat patients with cirrhosis using medications and lifestyle changes to improve the health of the organ. However, in many cases, the patient may have to resort to the use of drugs for the rest of their life to maintain the health of their liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the medications used in the treatment of cirrhosis may cause leg cramps in patients. If you notice any cramping symptoms, speak to your doctor about changing your meds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.    Chronic Kidney Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are living with CKD experience a host of complications relating to their condition. CKD describes the slow erosion of kidney <\/a>function, leaving patients unable to filter toxins from their blood. There is no cure for the disease, and patients require treatment with dialysis every few days to remove toxins from the bloodstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are surfeiting from CKD require a kidney transplant to avoid kidney failure and death. Patients with CKD experience many imbalances in the critical minerals potassium, calcium, and sodium \u2013 responsible for muscle contractions. As a result, the patient may sustain an electrolyte imbalance that leads to the development of spasms and nocturnal cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, the intensity of the cramps may increase as the patient\u2019s condition continues to worsen. Patients with CKD who experience night cramps must mention these symptoms to their doctor. Your physician may adjust your medication to help you avoid nocturnal cramping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.    Diuretic Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Doctors issue diuretic <\/a>medications for flushing excess water from the body. Those patients with high blood pressure may experience relief from symptoms of hypertension by using diuretics to reduce the amount of fluid around the heart. As the water leaves the chest cavity, the patient experiences a drop in their blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diuretics are also useful for reducing the swelling in edema, as well as treating patients with CKD and liver disease. However, using diuretics can also occur in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances if the patient takes a high dose of the drug. As a result, the electrolyte imbalance may lead to the development of nocturnal cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under most circumstances, doctors can treat these symptoms by making adjustments to their treatment protocol. If a medical practitioner diagnoses you with hypertension, and you have noticed an increase in night-time leg cramping, speak to your physician about making the necessary changes to your medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.    Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our body is over 60-percent water. When we fail to replenish body fluids throughout the day, we end up experiencing dehydration. Dehydration <\/a>is a severe complication of many diseases and health disorders and may result in damage to the patients\u2019 health if left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most patients who experience night-time cramps are nowhere near this type of level of extreme dehydration. However, even being a little dehydrated when you go to bed can affect your quality of sleep and result in the development of nocturnal cramps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration produces the same mineral imbalance we discussed with diuretic use. When the patient is in a dehydrated state, they experience an increase in cramps, and there is also a possibility of the patient experiencing a seizure if they do not receive rehydration with fluids in time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always ensure you drink enough fluids throughout the day, and stop drinking an hour before you go to bed to avoid waking up in the middle of the night with the urge to urinate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.    Nerve Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nocturnal cramps can occur as a symptom of an underlying health disorder or disease. Patients who are living with Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a> or another disorder of the nervous system may find that they experience an increase in nocturnal cramps as the disease progresses. Doctors may be able to control the intensity and frequency of cramps through the use of medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who experience nerve damage through sustaining an injury in a car accident, or sports, may also find that they start to experience an increase in night-time cramps. In many cases, the immediate cause of the pains is unclear, and patients will require extensive neurological testing to identify the part of the brain responsible for the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some infections may also lead to the development of nerve damage, which may result in nocturnal cramping as well. If you have never had an issue with nocturnal cramps, and they start to occur frequently, speak to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. High-Intensity Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re experiencing leg cramps at night, you could be dealing with the effects of strenuous exercise. The high-intensity activity involves pushing your body to the limit. You place huge stress on the respiratory and muscular systems, requiring you to recover properly between training sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recovery refers to bringing your muscles back to their original state before starting the exercise routine. When we workout<\/a>, we create millions of tiny tears in the muscle that heal back stronger. However, if you don\u2019t get the right amount of recovery time between your workouts, you place additional stress on the muscular system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you practice running or work out your calves, you\u2019ll need to ensure your legs recover properly. Getting enough sleep and eating enough nutritious food is vital for the optimal recovery of the muscular system. If you\u2019re dealing with cramps, you\u2019re probably not getting the right amount of nutrients required to heal the muscle, or you\u2019re not resting enough between your workouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleep <\/a>is critical to the optimal recovery and maintenance of our bodies. When we sleep, our body goes into \u201cmaintenance mode.\u201d It utilizes the nutrients we give it through our nutrition to heal the muscles and repair the micro-tears from exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you spend all day walking around or working out and fail to get a decent night\u2019s sleep, you\u2019re going to encounter problems with all the biological systems on the body, including the muscular system. During sleep, the body relaxes, and blood flows to the calve muscles, ensuring they get the nutrition and blood flow they need to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience calve pain or leg cramps at night, you might not be getting the right amount of sleep you need for the optimal repair of the calve muscles. People with sleeping disorders should consult with their doctor. The physician will outline strategies or OTC medications to help you get the rest you need. They may prescribe sleeping drugs to help you get some shuteye in rare cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Multiple Sclerosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Multiple Sclerosis<\/a> (MS) is a form of autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS is challenging for doctors to diagnose, and the affected individual may need to seek several medical opinions before uncovering the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS affects the CNS and how it responds to stimuli from the brain. As a result, people who experience leg cramps at night may be going through CNS dysfunction caused by MS. MS can cause a variety of adverse events in the muscular system due to its inability to communicate effectively with the CNS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the common symptoms of MS include spasms and twitching in the feet and legs and cramps. You might find that your muscles feel like they are tingling, and in advanced cases of the disorder, they make experience pain during the cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS, and the patient will experience a slow degradation of the CNS and its ability to control the muscular system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Improperly Fitted Shoes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the lesser-known causes of leg cramps <\/a>at light is wearing improperly fitting shoes. If you walk around all day or have a job where you are on your feet for hours, you need proper footwear. Wearing tight-fitting shoes, like stilettoes or high heels, will cause problems with pressure applied to the plantar fascia in the foot and the nerves in the toes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of wearing improper footwear, the affected individual may notice they sat to experience calve cramps and leg cramps at night. These types of shoes create an elevated position in the calve muscle during wear. While it might provide more shape to the calves wearing the shoes, they are not worth the potential damage they can do to your feet and legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re experiencing leg cramps at night, consider changing your footwear. This strategy will likely yield immediate results, and your pain will disappear overnight. Look for shoes with wide toe boxes and padding in the arch and heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Mineral Deficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of leg cramps at night is mineral deficiency. We rely on potassium, sodium, and electrolytes to provide the infrastructure for correct nerve signaling to the muscular system. When we have low levels of these essential minerals, it causes problems with the normal nerve signaling, resulting in spasms and cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the legs have some of the largest muscle groups in the body, you\u2019re likely to feel the effects of mineral deficiency there first. Having the right amount of minerals and electrolytes in your body is critical to your well-being. If you are deficient in minerals and electrolytes, you can start experiencing cramps, which may progress into seizures if you don\u2019t treat the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>is a common cause of electrolyte and mineral loos, leading to deficiency. If you\u2019re sick with a stomach bug, you\u2019ll have to replace the minerals and electrolytes, leaving the body with a specialized rehydration product to restore balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Excess Cortisol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cortisol<\/a>, otherwise known as \u201cthe stress hormone,\u201d is highest in the morning and lowest at night. Cortisol is what gives you that burst of energy in the morning to get out of bed and start your day. At night, cortisol production drops off, allowing you to fall asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, due to our stressful lifestyle, many of us end up in a constant state of stress, known as the \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d response. When you\u2019re constantly charged up on cortisol, you\u2019ll find it challenging to get to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cortisol also interferes with the natural recovery process of the muscular system during sleep. As a result of high cortisol levels at night, you might start developing leg cramps. If you want to get cortisol under control, you will need to reduce stress levels before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving your sleep hygiene by avoiding caffeine after 2 pm, taking a hot bath before bed, and meditating for a few minutes before sleep can help to dramatically lower cortisol production during the night, eliminating your cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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