Are Leg Cramps Disturbing Your Sleep?

If sudden cramping in your calves, feet, or thighs wakes you up at night, you’re not alone. Occasional nocturnal leg cramps are very common among middle-aged and older adults.

While they are generally impossible to predict, leg cramps sometimes can be caused by vigorous exercise. Be sure to stretch before and after working out, and try massaging the problem area before going to bed.

Even if your cramps aren’t caused by exercise, you may be able to relieve them by performing some simple exercises to stretch your calf muscles every day.

Here are some other steps to try if cramps continue to disrupt your sleep:

• Place a pillow under your feet in bed.
• Sleep on your stomach with your feet hanging over the edge of the bed.If none of these helps, talk to your doctor. Certain drugs can cause leg cramps. These include some diuretics and steroids. Other medical conditions also may be contributing to the problem, such as diabetes, thyroid or liver disease, or low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium.

When nocturnal leg cramps become a real problem, your doctor may prescribe medicine.