An involuntary contraction of a muscle supporting the femur
Symptoms of Leg Cramps
The following features are indicative of Leg Cramps:
sharp pain
lump formation
swelling
redness
skin changes
leg muscle weakness
muscle fatigue
involuntary contractions of leg muscles
calf muscle cramps
It is possible that Leg Cramps shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Leg Cramps
The following are the most common causes of Leg Cramps:
malfunctioning of nerves
spinal cord injury
pinched nerve in the neck or back
Other Causes of Leg Cramps
The following are the less common causes of Leg Cramps:
straining or overusing a muscle
dehydration
lack of minerals in diet or the depletion of minerals in body
not enough blood getting to muscles
electrolyte disturbance
Risk Factors for Leg Cramps
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Leg Cramps:
dehydration
pregnancy
Prevention of Leg Cramps
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Leg Cramps. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
adequate conditioning
stretching
mental preparation
hydration
electrolyte balance
Occurrence of Leg Cramps
Common Age Group
Leg Cramps can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Leg Cramps can occur in any gender.
Complications of Leg Cramps if untreated
It is not know if Leg Cramps causes complications if left untreated.
Self-care for Leg Cramps
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Leg Cramps:
Stretch and massage: Helps calming down spindles by lengthening the muscle fibers and increasing firing duration to slow down the firing rate of the muscle
Apply heat or cold: Helps relieving pain of cramped muscle
High fluid intake: Fluids that are high in electrolytes helps relieving cramps
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Leg Cramps
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Leg Cramps:
Supplements: Vitamin B-complex supplements helps managing leg cramps
Physical therapy and exercise: Helps patients with muscle disease lead active lives
Massages: Provides relief from muscle spasms
Acupuncture: Helps in treating muscle spasms and pain