1. Typical Causes of Leg Cramps
The biggest cause of leg cramps is a muscle spasm, also referred to as a charley horse. When a muscle is over-used or injured, it will involuntarily contract. The cause of that uncomfortable leg cramp could also be an overstretched or torn muscle. If one of your tendons -- that fibrous structure that joins muscle to bone -- becomes irritated, you could also experience leg cramps. In the very physically active, lower leg pain can also be caused by shin splints. Shin splints happen when the muscles that lift the foot become inflamed often due to an increase in workout intensity.
2. Diuretics Can Cause Leg Cramps
Weight-conscious professional and amateur athletes sometimes take diuretics to get rid of water weight through urinating so that they can have a thinner, leaner look. It's a short-term solution that's been banned in many professional sports for a variety of reasons, one of them being that it's unhealthy and puts the athlete at risk of dehydration. Dehydration is also a cause of leg cramps because it washes out or dilutes crucial minerals in the body like potassium, calcium and magnesium.
3. When a Leg Cramp Is Dangerous
Usually a leg cramp just means you've pulled a muscle. But in some cases it could be a sign of something more serious. A blood clot, or deep venous thrombosis, could cause low leg cramps. The clot starts out by interfering with the blood flow to a certain part of your leg, but it could break off and travel through your bloodstream, or embolize. If the blood clot moves through your veins, it could lodge in the heart, lungs or brain and damage the organ or even kill you.
4. A Symptom of Another Illness
Sometimes a leg cramp that won't go away can be a sign of another illness. This situation is rare so you shouldn't worry about it, but you should be aware of the possibility. Leg cramps could be a be the sign of an endocrine disorder. These disorders affect the glands that make hormones and include thyroid disease and Addison's disease. Leg cramps can also be a symptom of an electrolyte disorder, which are caused by an imbalance of certain ionized salts.
5. Leg Cramp Relief
In most cases, you can easily treat a leg cramp at home. Resting the leg usually helps. Applying ice to the pulled muscle can reduce swelling. Gentle stretching and self massaging the area often provides relief. Sometimes a professional sports massage will help the leg cramp. Over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to deal with the pain. If none of these self-care techniques work, contact a doctor. You should also contact a doctor if the leg becomes black and blue or cold and pale or if it becomes red or swollen.
