A muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes - essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions - by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:

• Muscle overexertion
• Prolonged sitting
• Dehydration
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Decreased potassium levels
• Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
• Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications
• Alcohol use

If you do get a leg cramp, you may be able to make it go away by:

• Walking on the affected leg
• Massaging the affected muscle
• Straightening your leg and flexing your foot toward your knee until you feel the calf muscles stretch
• Applying a cold pack to the affected muscle
• Taking a hot bath

To help prevent night leg cramps:

• Drink plenty of fluids during the day.
• Stretch your leg muscles before bedtime.
• Get adequate potassium in your diet.

If you have frequent and severe leg cramps at night, talk to your doctor. Treatment results vary. But the most effective treatments based on current research are:

• Vitamin B-12
• Gabapentin

Night leg cramps should be distinguished from another common cause of night leg discomfort called restless legs syndrome, a condition in which your legs have a creepy, crawly or fidgety sensation unless you move them. The sensation often worsens as night approaches. Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic condition that requires different treatment from that of night leg cramps.

Answered by YourS , an ibibo Specialist, at 7:29 PM on September 12, 2008

A reason why a person may get leg cramps is because he or she isn't drinking enough water. Water is important for transporting vitamins, minerals, and other substances throughout the body. Hydration is not the same when drinking caffeine or alcohol, since they are diuretics and end up dehydrating a person even further. Muscle needs hydration to function properly; without it cramping is more likely to occur. That is why athletes who do not replenish their water lost from sports and exercise end up with a charley-horse. Likewise, low water intake in an otherwise sedentary person can cause muscles twitches during sleep.

Another reason for nocturnal leg cramps is mineral deficiencies. Low levels of calcium, potassium, and magnesium are cited as causal factors of nocturnal leg cramps. While they can all be found in things we eat, some foods lose mineral levels when processed or refined. For example, nearly 85% of magnesium in grains is lost when finely milled.

Calcium deficiency is also responsible for muscle tremors and twitching at night and may lead to nocturnal leg cramps. However, milk and other dairy products do not make effective calcium replacement sources because of their phosphorus levels. A non-phosphorus containing calcium supplement is possibly the best alternative. Another mineral easily depleted is potassium, which is the most important mineral regarding muscle activity, serving as an electrolyte in the body and helping to balance body fluids. It also plays an essential role in muscle control and acts as a co-factor in muscle building.

SOURCE SITE :http://www.wisegeek.com/what- causes-nocturnal-leg-cramps.ht m

Answered by Sanya Tahir , an ibibo Master, at 9:39 PM on September 09, 2008

well mike !
Edward Laskowski, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.
Answer
A muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes — essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions — by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:

Muscle overexertion
Prolonged sitting
Dehydration
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Decreased potassium levels
Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications
Alcohol use
If you do get a leg cramp, you may be able to make it go away by:

Walking on the affected leg
Massaging the affected muscle
Straightening your leg and flexing your foot toward your knee until you feel the calf muscles stretch
Applying a cold pack to the affected muscle
Taking a hot bath
To help prevent night leg cramps:

Drink plenty of fluids during the day.
Stretch your leg muscles before bedtime.
Get adequate potassium in your diet.
If you have frequent and severe leg cramps at night, talk to your doctor. Treatment results vary. But the most effective treatments based on current research are:

Vitamin B-12
Gabapentin
Night leg cramps should be distinguished from another common cause of night leg discomfort called restless legs syndrome, a condition in which your legs have a creepy, crawly or fidgety sensation unless you move them. The sensation often worsens as night approaches. Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic condition that requires different treatment from that of night leg cramps.
for more check http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ni ght-leg-cramps/AN00499

Answered by sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 1:49 PM on September 05, 2008

In most cases the cause is not known. One theory is that cramps occur when a muscle that is already in a shortened position is stimulated to contract. As the muscle is already shortened, to contract further may cause the muscle to go into spasm. This commonly happens at night in bed as the natural position we lie in is with the knees slightly bent (flexed), and with feet pointing slightly downwards. In this position the calf muscle is relatively shortened and prone to cramps. This theory explains why stretching exercises may cure the problem.

Secondary causes
In some cases, the cramps may be a symptom of another condition or problem. For example:

Some medicines can cause cramps as a side-effect, or make cramps occur more often. These include: diuretics ('water tablets'), nifedipine, cimetidine, salbutamol, terbutaline, lithium, clofibrate, penicillamine, morphine (withdrawal), phenothiazines, and nicotinic acid.
Over-exertion of muscles.
Dehydration.
Conditions that cause alterations in the balance of salts in the bloodstream (such as a high or low sodium or potassium level).
Some people who have renal (kidney) dialysis get leg cramps.
Pregnancy - usually in the later stages.
An untreated under-active thyroid gland.
Peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the leg arteries which causes poor circulation).
Cirrhosis of the liver is a rare cause.
Lead poisoning.
Sarcoidosis.
Rare disorders of nerves.
Excess alcohol.
With the above conditions the cramps would just be one of various other symptoms. Therefore, if you are otherwise well, and have no other unexplained symptoms, then the leg cramps are likely to be idiopathic (unknown cause) and not due to a secondary cause.

Note: leg cramps are different to a condition called restless legs syndrome. In this condition the legs can be uncomfortable, you feel creeping sensations in the legs, and it is relieved by walking about. See separate leaflet called 'Restless Legs Syndrome' for details

Answered by Meera , an ibibo Master, at 11:01 PM on September 04, 2008

hello mike

muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes — essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions — by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:
Muscle overexertion
Prolonged sitting
Dehydration
Pregnancy
Di abetes
Decreased potassium levels
Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease

Answered by Saq , an ibibo Master, at 10:55 PM on September 04, 2008

In most cases the cause is not known. One theory is that cramps occur when a muscle that is already in a shortened position is stimulated to contract. As the muscle is already shortened, to contract further may cause the muscle to go into spasm. This commonly happens at night in bed as the natural position we lie in is with the knees slightly bent (flexed), and with feet pointing slightly downwards. In this position the calf muscle is relatively shortened and prone to cramps. This theory explains why stretching exercises may cure the problem.
In some cases, the cramps may be a symptom of another condition or problem. For example:

Some medicines can cause cramps as a side-effect, or make cramps occur more often. These include: diuretics ('water tablets'), nifedipine, cimetidine, salbutamol, terbutaline, lithium, clofibrate, penicillamine, morphine (withdrawal), phenothiazines, and nicotinic acid.
Over-exertion of muscles.
Dehydration.
Conditions that cause alterations in the balance of salts in the bloodstream (such as a high or low sodium or potassium level).
Some people who have renal (kidney) dialysis get leg cramps.
Pregnancy - usually in the later stages.
An untreated under-active thyroid gland.
Peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the leg arteries which causes poor circulation).
Cirrhosis of the liver is a rare cause.
Lead poisoning.
Sarcoidosis.
Rare disorders of nerves.
Excess alcohol.
visit www.patient.co.

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 6:17 PM on September 04, 2008

Cramping during sleep is usually due to an exaggeration of a normal muscle reflex. When you turn during sleep, you contract your calf muscles and stretch their tendons. This stimulates nerve stretch receptors in the tendon and sends a message back to the spinal cord, telling the calf muscles to contract. Sometimes, the muscles remain contracted and hurt. Painful muscle cramps at night can also be caused by nerve damage such as that caused by pinching a nerve, muscle damage, a partially-obstructed flow of blood to the legs, or abnormal mineral or hormone levels, so if you have this problem, check with your doctor. If you do not have a serious cause, you can often prevent night cramps by exhausting the stretch reflex before you go to bed by stretching your calf muscles with wall pushups, and applying a heating pad for 10 minutes before you go to sleep.

The only drug that has been shown to be effective in treating night-time leg cramps is quinine, but the Food and Drug Administration stopped over-the-counter marketing of this remedy because of concerns about irregular heart beats and other side effects. Doctors may still prescribe quinine pills for relief of leg cramps, but they can cause birth defects and miscarriages, so they should never be taken by a pregnant woman. Quinine can also cause ringing in the ears, headache, nausea, disturbed vision, chest pain, asthma and other problems.

Answered by Vinay Kiran , an ibibo Specialist, at 5:23 PM on September 04, 2008

well, A muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes - essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions - by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:

* Muscle overexertion
* Prolonged sitting
* Dehydration
* Pregnancy
* Diabetes
* Decreased potassium levels
* Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
* Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications
* Alcohol use

For more: http://www.revolutionhealth.co m/articles/night-leg-cramps-wh at-causes-them/527C9615-0194-4 19C-B6E7208C9CE140A4

Answered by Satya ~ , an ibibo Master, at 12:14 PM on September 04, 2008

well,A muscle cramp is an involuntary, sustained tightening (contraction) of one or more of your muscles. It can result in intense pain and an inability to use the affected muscles. Night leg cramps are contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the back of the lower leg (calf). They often occur just as you're falling asleep or just as you're waking up.

The exact cause of night leg cramps isn't known. Some experts believe they may be due to abnormal processing of electrolytes — essential elements and chemical substances your body needs for basic functions — by muscles. Almost everyone has occasional leg cramps. But they occur most often in older adults. Common causes of night leg cramps include:

* Muscle overexertion
* Prolonged sitting
* Dehydration
* Pregnancy
* Diabetes
* Decreased potassium levels
* Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
* Certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications
* Alcohol use

If you do get a leg cramp, you may be able to make it go away by:

* Walking on the affected leg
* Massaging the affected muscle
* Straightening your leg and flexing your foot toward your knee until you feel the calf muscles stretch
* Applying a cold pack to the affected muscle
* Taking a hot bath

To help prevent night leg cramps:

* Drink plenty of fluids during the day.
* Stretch your leg muscles before bedtime.
* Get adequate potassium in your diet.

If you have frequent and severe leg cramps at night, talk to your doctor. Treatment results vary. But the most effective treatments based on current research are:

* Vitamin B-12
* Gabapentin

Night leg cramps should be distinguished from another common cause of night leg discomfort called restless legs syndrome, a condition in which your legs have a creepy, crawly or fidgety sensation unless you move them. The sensation often worsens as night approaches. Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic condition that requires different treatment from that of night leg cramps.
source:www.mayoclinic .com/health/night-leg-cramps/A N00499

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 12:10 PM on September 04, 2008