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What Causes Severe Cramps In The Legs?
This morning I was awakened with severe leg cramps( which I occasionally get but not as bad) on both legs on the calves.. I sat up and tried massaging it but nothing happened. I tried walking but that didn t help. Got back into bed. It was a feeling I never had before - it s like my whole body was collapsing. It seemed like it was forever. I have never experienced anything like it before. I said to myself is this what a stroke is? I took my pulse and it was 50. 3 hrs. have passed & I m back to normal. My pulse is now 60. Thank you.
posted on
Wed, 19 Apr 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 11 Oct 2018
Answered on
Fri, 12 Oct 2018
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. It usually occurs in the calf muscles and in most cases there is no obvious cause of it If it happens sporadically then there is no need for any treatment or tests. But if this is common and affect your daily routine then some measures should be taken.
In some cases, there may be predisposing conditions such can be seen in pregnancy, after exercise and certain types of medication, such as statins or in liver disease. The best way to manage this is to stretch your muscles regularly. In some cases, magnesium or calcium supplements may help. Have enough fluids and avoid long sitting, regulate body mass.
In cases of progression or if there is no improvement, you need to see a doctor, to rule out some neuropathies or vascular disorders which are much less common but should be considered if there is no improvement on these measures that I have mentioned.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein,
General Surgeon
Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. It usually occurs in the calf muscles and in most cases there is no obvious cause of it If it happens sporadically then there is no need for any treatment or tests. But if this is common and affect your daily routine then some measures should be taken.
In some cases, there may be predisposing conditions such can be seen in pregnancy, after exercise and certain types of medication, such as statins or in liver disease. The best way to manage this is to stretch your muscles regularly. In some cases, magnesium or calcium supplements may help. Have enough fluids and avoid long sitting, regulate body mass.
In cases of progression or if there is no improvement, you need to see a doctor, to rule out some neuropathies or vascular disorders which are much less common but should be considered if there is no improvement on these measures that I have mentioned.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein,
General Surgeon
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