At the end of the day, all you want to do is sleep but a Foot cramp occurs and interferes with the quality of your sleep. Foot cramps can be mild or severe because involuntary muscle contractions can last for a few seconds or minutes. In 2012 a study published stated that 60 percent of adults experience leg cramps at night. Leg cramps affect the foot and the calf and can also include the hamstring. A foot cramp feels contracted to a knot and clenched causing discomfort and pain.
If you are looking for some expert advice on nighttime foot cramps, seek help from a Houston podiatrist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment for your foot and leg problems. Our foot specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Possible causes of leg cramps at night
- Are you stretching?
It has been stated that due to the modern lifestyle, people do not have enough time to stretch their feet and calf muscles. In ancient times people spent a lot of time squatting which is a suitable position for stretching the leg muscles and tendons.
- Are you dehydrated?
It has been discovered that dehydration promotes cramps. Higher numbers of cramping at night have been noted in summer while there are lower numbers in winter. It means that heat and fluid balance influence the cramps as the electrolyte imbalance triggers a cramp.
- Nutrient deficiency
Potassium and magnesium deficiencies can cause foot cramps while lacking enough vitamin B, B12, folate, and thiamin may lead to nerve damage. If the Houston foot care specialist suspects deficiency, they might order a blood test that will indicate the levels of the nutrients and they can recommend supplementation and treat any underlying condition.
- Do you engage in tough workouts?
Tough workouts have been linked to muscle cramps because of skeletal muscle fatigue and overload. It affects professional athletes who might not have a way of preventing overuse cramps.
- Do you wear proper footwear?
Footwear and the surfaces you walk on may cause the feet to be fatigued. The feet are responsible for supporting your body weight and improper footwear impairs the foot’s oxygen and blood circulation. The foot muscles are also affected by working or standing on hard surfaces such as concrete floors.
- Are you pregnant?
Pregnant women are more susceptible to foot and leg cramping, especially in the second and third trimesters. Some possible reasons for this include dehydration, extra weight as the baby grows, and nutrient deficiencies such as magnesium.
- Are you under medication or have any health issues?
Some conditions such as structural issues like peripheral arterial disease or metabolic issues such as diabetes, anemia, and hyper or hypothyroidism. Other health issues that can cause nighttime foot cramping include Parkinson’s disease, nerve damage, and osteoarthritis. It has also been noted that some medications leave you susceptible to cramping. These medications include some birth control pills, blood pressure medications, diuretics, and statins. If you are on dialysis you are at risk of foot cramping.
Foot cramps treatment
Exercising regularly prevents foot and leg cramps. When you experience a foot or leg cramp at night try to stretch the foot to relieve the cramp by pressing your big toe down and flexing your foot.
