Muscle cramps

Overview

Triggers include tired muscles, dehydration, heat, and long sitting.

Some medicines (water pills, statins), pregnancy, and low magnesium or potassium can cause more cramps.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Sudden painful muscle tightening
• Muscle cramp or charley horse
• Leg pain or aching

Less common

• Muscle soreness after
• Hard knot in the muscle

When to get medical care

Causes

Muscle fatigue, dehydration, medicines.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Older age
• Pregnancy
• Athletes

Possible complications

• Blood clot in the leg: Can look similar

Diagnosis

Usually no tests.

Questions you may be asked

• Medicines, how often

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Blood tests: If frequent.

Treatment

Stretch and prevent.

Self-care

• Stretch the cramping muscle: for a calf cramp, pull your toes toward you
• Massage it
• Use heat, then ice if sore
• Stretch calves before bed
• Drink fluids during exercise

Prevention

To prevent cramps:

• Stretch daily
• Stay hydrated

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a physical therapist, or a sports medicine doctor.
• A physical therapist can help with exercises to rebuild strength and motion.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Pregnancy: Leg cramps are common in the second and third trimester.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Harmless for most people.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Could my medicines cause cramps?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Muscle cramps