Recurrent leg cramps – what could it be?

Leg cramps are a common problem encountered in general population. They usually involve sudden painful involuntary contractions of muscles of the calves, although muscles of any part of the leg, including feet and thighs can give rise to leg cramps. Leg cramps generally last for a few minutes, however they can leave soreness in the muscles for a prolonged period of time.

Although most of the cases of leg cramps can be idiopathic with no identifiable cause, there can be a variety of medical conditions which can give rise to recurrent leg cramps. Therefore it is important to get yourself checked by a doctor if you are suffering from leg cramps frequently.

Here are some possible causes of leg cramps:

1)Overuse / underuse

Your legs may experience cramps after vigorous exercise or working for prolonged period. Without proper rest, muscles of the legs are unable to recover properly. It is important to make sure you’re getting enough rest and working within the limits of your body. People who sit all day or do not exercise may also experience cramps in their legs. If you have to sit for extended periods, try to stand and be active for at least five minutes every hour.

2)Dehydration

Inadequate water intake, especially during hot conditions or after heavy exercises can result in muscle cramps. It is postulated that dehydration sensitizes the nerve endings eliciting involuntary muscle contractions causing cramps. Adequate water intake can help reduce the cramps.

3)Electrolyte imbalance

Imbalance in electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium can trigger spontaneous muscle contractions leading to cramps. It is important to have a healthy diet which includes bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach, yogurt, and nuts which are rich in these minerals. Sports drinks can also help to reduce cramps, as they are enriched with these minerals. 

4)Medications

Several medications such as those for asthma (albuterol), pain (naproxen, pregabalin), blood pressure (diuretics), osteoporosis (raloxifen, teriparatide), anemia (intravenous iron sucrose), birth control pills and lipid lowering drugs (statins) can be associated with muscle cramps as their side effects.

5)Peripheral arterial disease(PAD)

Peripheral arterial disease refers to the blockages in the arteries of the legs.  The typical symptom of PAD is intermittent claudication, which means a person gets muscle cramps after walking some distance, which relive after resting for a few minutes and come back again after walking.  Depending on the location of the arterial blockages, muscles of feet, calf or thigh can give rise to cramps after walking. See your doctor if you have these symptoms. The blocks in the arteries can be treated by minimally invasive vascular interventional radiology methods such as angioplasty and stenting.

6) Varicose veins

Varicose veins occur when the valves in the superficial veins of the legs do not function properly. This results in pooling of the deoxygenated blood in these veins under the effect of gravity and veins becomes enlarged and tortuous. Varicose veins can cause tiredness, pain and cramps in the leg muscles, especially calf muscles. Usually self-care measures, such as exercise, elevation, and compression stockings, can help alleviate these symptoms in the initial stages. See your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve. Currently newer minimally invasive painless treatment methods like VenaSeal are available which give instant relief from varicose vein symptoms.

7)Hypothyroidism

People with hypothyroidism can feel tingling, numbness, muscle cramps in the legs. It is postulated that reduced thyroid hormone levels damage the nerves supplying the muscles which cause spontaneous contractions.

8)Diabetic neuropathy

Long standing uncontrolled diabetes affects the nerves in the legs which can result in tingling, numbness in the legs, muscle twitching and full blown muscle cramps.

9)Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition which can cause abnormal muscle contractions, spasms and leg cramps.

Apart from these, there are various other conditions such as pregnancy, liver disease, renal failure, Addison’s disease, sarcoidosis, Parkinson’s disease which can cause recurrent muscle cramps.