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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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What Causes Muscle Cramps in the Calves And How To Prevent?
Leg cramps can be caused simply from dehydration to something much more serious such as kidney disease.
- Cramps often result from
- Vigorous exercise
- Trauma to the muscle
- 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 bp) and steroids.
- A lack of potassium or calcium can also be the underlying cause, as well as cold weather.
How to prevent leg cramps
- There are a number of ways you can alleviate nighttime leg cramps. Once leg cramps set in, the best method to relieve them is movement, either walking around or simply jiggling or shaking your leg. In addition, things like pumping your ankles up and down or rubbing the muscles can help as well.
- Some people with chronic leg cramps have found relief using cool compresses, which work by numbing pain and reducing soreness. But anyone who regularly suffers leg cramps should also work to strengthen their muscles, which will make cramps less frequent.