What are some surprising causes of leg cramps that interrupt your sleep?

In the middle of the night, waking up with painful leg cramps can be both frightening and perplexing.

While you may believe it's because of your sleeping position, there is more to understand about nighttime leg cramps.

In the original interviews, two physicians provided insights into the causes and remedies for nighttime leg cramps.

Here's what to know.

What are nighttime leg cramps?

A nighttime leg cramp is commonly referred to as a charley horse, where the muscles in a leg suddenly seize up.

A charley horse is a sudden, painful, and involuntary muscle spasm or cramp that can occur in any muscle, not just the calf, as noted by health.com.

As per Mike Sevilla, M.D., a family physician at Family Practice Center of Salem in Salem, Ohio, a person may experience leg cramp symptoms that can cause them to be awakened.

He stated that while leg cramps typically last for a few minutes, he has encountered patients whose cramps persisted for a longer duration.

Who gets nighttime leg cramps?

As people age, nighttime cramps become more prevalent and can occur more frequently, according to Sara Austin, M.D., an associate professor of neurology at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, who shared this information with Planet Chronicle Digital.

She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

If you experience frequent leg cramps, your primary care doctor should test to make sure your thyroid hormone level is normal.

Some causes of nighttime leg cramps exist, she stated.

"We all experience being human sometimes," she stated.

Your thyroid hormone level should be tested by your primary care doctor if you frequently experience cramps, she said.

If you sweat excessively or are dehydrated, make sure to drink more fluids with electrolytes, she advised.

Those with restless leg syndrome often describe their symptoms as cramps, according to her.

Restless leg syndrome may be the cause if you frequently wake up feeling like you've been asleep for several hours and experience leg symptoms such as cramping, tingling, burning, and aching, which are alleviated by getting up and walking around, according to Austin.

"If you find that you're having two to three cramps every night for weeks to months, you should check in with a neurologist."

Speak with your doctor for further evaluation.

Can leg cramps be a sign of serious conditions?

Dr. Austin stated that while some neuromuscular diseases can cause more frequent muscle cramps, this occurrence is not typical.

"They are very rare," she said.

If you experience two to three cramps every night for weeks to months, it's recommended to consult a neurologist, advised the expert.

"If you experience cramps that are linked to weakness in the extremity or interfere with your walking, inform your doctor."

How can someone treat leg cramps?

According to Sevilla of the Family Practice Center of Salem, when leg cramps occur, begin with a gentle stretching of the muscles.

"Applying a heating pad and massaging the affected area may also alleviate symptoms."

He advised taking over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Prescription medication options are available, but patients should consult their family physician before taking any prescription medications.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health.