Leg Cramps Cause

A number of things can be a leg cramps cause, and there are things you can do to ease or alleviate the cramps. Whether you only get them at night or all day long, one of these could be what is afflicting you. 

1. Restless Leg Syndrome. RLS is one cause of leg cramps. It mostly occurs at night while trying to fall asleep; though, it can also happen in the daytime when a subject gets tired or drowsy. It may also occur while the subject is asleep, causing poor rest. The symptom is an irresistible desire to move one or both legs because of a dull ache. Doctors do not know what causes it and there is no cure; however, there are prescription medications that can reduce or alleviate symptoms.
2. Nocturnal Leg Cramps. Some people call these Charley Horses. They can be funny when they happen to someone else, but not to you. They are seemingly funny because they can make you jump out of bed and hop around stomping your feet on the floor trying to loosen up the knot that is developing in the leg muscles. These cramps happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is dehydration and/or the lack of minerals such as salt, potassium, magnesium or calcium. In that situation, the best thing to do is rehydrate, and possibly take a supplement. Your doctor will likely tell you to eat a banana.
3. Overuse of the Leg Muscles. If you have been working hard at something that you're not accustomed to, you are a candidate for leg cramps. Any time the legs are overworked or held in the same position for an extended period, they are subject to cramping. The best way to handle this is massaging the muscles and treating them to a warm bath. Working them again to a lesser extent will also help to loosen them.
4. Diabetic neuropathy. This is nerve damage brought on by diabetes. It can also cause leg cramps. The simple solution for it is avoidance of diabetes through regulation of blood glucose levels. You can control those levels through diet and exercise. Prescribed medications may also be necessary.
5. Alcoholism. Alcoholism can cause leg cramps because it causes dehydration. There is a theory that it also causes cramps because the body is trying to extract the alcohol out of the cells during detox. There is a cure for this, and you probably don't want to hear it: Stop drinking. See … we told you.