What Causes Calf Muscle Cramps?

Posted on Sun, 14 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 14 Sep 2014 Answered on

Tue, 7 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : At night I get excruciating muscle cramps. At first, the cramps were in my right calf & caused unending pain. My dr. Had me use an elastic bandage & RICE. After a week that muscle feels better. During this time, the cramps moved to my left ankle. These cramps happen 3-4 x every night. I have tried tonic water, muscle relaxants, 1/2 a banana, topical creams,& anything else I can think of to do. I do stretching exercises everyday.

During the daytime, I get these cramps in my neck and side.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Magnesium and Potassium deficiency.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Calf muscle cramps are usually caused by Magnesium and Potassium deficiency. Such deficiency can be caused by coffee or caffeinated drinks intake or stress. Some medicines like hypertension medicines can also cause it.
Please note that Magnesium and Potassium stabilize nervous system. In case of deficiency muscles and nerves are oversensitive and can spontaneously trigger muscle cramps. This mostly happens during the night and can be very painful.
I suggest you to start with Magnesium 250 mg and Potassium 250 mg three times a day supplementation.
If this wont help, please consult your doctor.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar