What are leg cramps, exactly?
Leg cramps are sharp, involuntary muscle pains that commonly occur in the calf, foot, or thigh. A “charley horse” is another name for them. Your leg may spasm — tense uncontrollably – as a result of the cramp. Crampings are often harmless, despite how unpleasant they are to live with.
The sensation of a leg cramp is similar to that of a clenched, contracted muscle that has tightened into a knot. It can be excruciatingly unpleasant, painful, or even terrible. Your muscles in that location may hurt for hours after the cramp has passed.
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CAUSES OF LEG CRAMPS.
Leg cramps can be caused by a variety of factors.
Leg cramps have a variety of causes, some of which are unknown (idiopathic). In other circumstances, an underlying ailment or another recognizable cause may be present.
LEG CRAMPS SYMPTOMS.
Leg cramps can cause the following symptoms:
An involuntary contraction (shortening) of the leg muscle causes a sudden pain in the muscles of the leg.
The majority of them happen in the calf muscles, although they can also happen in the foot and thighs.
Cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, with thigh muscle cramps lasting the longest.
Cramping causes the affected muscles to become tight and painful, as well as stiff feet and toes.
You may experience discomfort and tenderness in your legs for several hours after the cramps have disappeared.
TREATMENT OF LEG CRAMPS.
Leg cramps are unlikely to be prevented by any medicine.
An over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller may assist if a severe cramp leaves a muscle sensitive.
Quinine was once widely utilized. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against using it since it could cause hazardous interactions and negative effects.
Exercise and stretching, calcium channel blockers, carisoprodol, and vitamin B-12 may assist, but there is limited proof. Multivitamins could be beneficial during pregnancy.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), calcium, and potassium have no evidence of effectiveness.