Leg cramps at night treatment

Picture this: You’re lying in bed, *just* about to fall asleep, when your leg starts to cramp.

The contractions, the twisting, the spasms, ugh!

When to worry about leg cramps at night

Naturally, you start to wonder, what causes leg cramps at night?

A leg cramp is an involuntary, often painful, contraction also referred to as a muscle spasm, or “Charlie horse,” says Arlesia Jones, DO, a primary care physician at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.

It typically feels like the muscle is twitching or quickly tightening, and you may be able to see the affected area contracting, she says.

Most people experience cramping in the calves, which usually lasts anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, says James Chen, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center.

“Since the muscle is under a sustained contraction, you may experience immobility and pain, and the muscle will feel firm.”

But why are leg cramps more common at night? “The simple answer is that most of us have been active throughout the day and have a higher l

pain in calf during night

cramp in calf at night reddit