Question: How to Prevent Leg Cramps While Sleeping?
Answer: You will come across many patients complaining of leg cramps while sleeping. These cramps are sudden involuntary, painful contractions of the calf muscles while you sleep.
In many cases there is no etiology found, but in some prevailing conditions they may need treatment.
Causes of Leg Cramps During Sleep
- People who sweat heavily may get cramps while sleeping due to salt depletion and dehydration.
- People undergoing dialysis, can also get cramps while sleeping.
- Hypertensive patients taking calcium channel blocker medicine can face leg cramps during sleep.
- Patients having varicose veins can have leg cramps while sleeping.
- Patients having peripheral artery disease, where due to the plaque formation the circulation in the end arteries is compromised.
- Diuretics can lead to leg cramps when you sleepy. Diuretics can cause potassium depletion, resulting into calf muscle pain at night. Therefore patient on diuretics are advised to take potassium supplements.
- Alcohol, unhealthy liver can also be the reason for leg cramps while sleeping.
- Patients taking insulin in diabetes can get calf muscle cramps while sleeping. Insulin lowers potassium level which in turn cause cramps in the calf muscles of the leg.
- Pregnancy can also cause leg cramps while sleeping.
Preventing Leg Cramps While Sleeping
- Exercise daily at least walking half an hour in fresh air.
- Drink plenty of water so that you are not dehydrated.
- Practice yoga techniques and meditation.
- Eat diet containing vitamins and minerals.
- Avoid excessive butter and cheese.
- Vitamin E supplementation is advocated in people having leg cramps while sleeping.
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