A marathon is the ultimate goal for many athletes who are serious about running. However, with a marathon reaching 26 miles, the distance alone can be taxing on your muscles. A common side effect of the work necessary to complete a marathon are...
Humans rely on the leg muscles for innumerable activities. Whether standing motionless or engaging in a competitive sprint, the leg muscles support the body. A variety of temporary or chronic conditions and diseases can interfere with the normal...
A muscle cramp or "charley horse" in the legs may come on suddenly and unexpectedly, then disappear just as quickly. It may wake you up in the middle of the night in agonizing pain, or interrupt your swim mid-stroke and leave you stranded in the...
Unlike a muscle cramp in your calf, a blood clot in your leg--a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT--requires emergency medical attention as a potentially life-threatening problem. People who suffer blood clots sometimes confuse the symptoms with those...
Muscle spasms and leg cramps are caused by sudden involuntary contractions of the muscles. Spasms and cramps are common problems, often occurring after periods of exercise or strenuous labor. While the conditions may cause pain and discomfort,...
A muscle spasm, also known as a muscle cramp, is a painful but common occurrence. During a muscle spasm, the muscle contracts and will not release. A muscle spasm in the leg is also sometimes called a charley horse and may occur in the thigh or...
If you've been jolted out of bed with a severe pain down the back of your calf, you've experienced a muscle cramp. Leg cramps can strike anytime, in the middle of the night or in the middle of your workout. They are characterized by a sudden pain...
Leg muscle cramps are common childhood ailments that affect approximately one-third of children, according to the Texas Children's Hospital. Several conditions can cause leg cramps in children. Although painful, muscle cramps are usually harmless...
The large muscles of the legs can be prone to cramping, particularly after high-intensity sporting activities such as football. Football demands a lot from the body, and any number of issues can initiate muscle cramps in the legs after football...
There are numerous causes of leg muscle pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, leg muscle pain is a common symptom and complaint. Leg muscle pain can be caused by repetitive overuse...
Voluntary muscle contraction is the result of an intricate step-by-step process leading to relaxation. Muscle cramps occur when a muscle is contracted involuntarily and does not relax. Cramps in the leg are fairly common in the calf muscle--a...
Regardless of when cramping in the legs occurs, the contributing factors are usually the same. Cramping can develop during intense exercise but may also occur in the middle of the night, waking you up to muscle spasms that can be very painful. It...
A nocturnal leg cramp, also called a charley horse, typically occurs at night or while you are resting or asleep. Improper bicycling technique and poor exercise habits can lead to these types of cramps. Because they can be extremely painful and...
Calf cramps are a common manifestation of leg cramps, caused by typically by dehydration or overuse of the calf muscles. Treatments for breast cancer can also cause leg cramps, as can alcoholism or hypothyroidism. Contact your physician if the...
Cramps in the feet and legs can cause painful reactions that may last for moments at a time. Muscle cramps occur when muscles fail to relax and involuntarily contract. Cramping may include the entire muscle, parts of a muscle or whole muscle...
If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, your physician might have prescribed a statin drug to lower your cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, one of the common side effects of statins is leg and muscle cramps. While these should be mild,...
Muscle cramps can stop you in your tracks. A muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction that can make it temporarily impossible to use the affected muscle. They can happen at any time. Your glutes are one of the largest muscles in...
Normal leg circulation occurs when your leg arteries supply your leg muscles with oxygenated blood. The main arteries that supply blood to your legs are your iliac, femoral, popliteal and tibial arteries. These arteries provide the blood supply to...
Roller skating has been a popular activity for children and young adults for many decades. In-line skating, which involves a different configuration of wheels, has largely surpassed roller skating in popularity and has attracted the attention of...
Diabetes is a serious disease that occurs when your body does not produce or cannot use insulin. Insulin is necessary to help process glucose, which is the fuel your cells need to do their job. In diabetes, the level of blood glucose, or blood...
According to MayoClinic.com, menopause is not a medical illness but a biological process in which menstruation and fertility come to permanent end. Many changes occur in your body when this change occurs, including hormonal changes as well as...
Cycling is not only an eco-friendly mode of transportation but also a great way to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, improve blood flow and circulation and cut your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. Cycling is a...
Pineapple, grapefruit and orange juice are nutritious beverages and natural sources of potassium and vitamin C. Too much of these juices, however, may increase painful leg cramps in certain situations. Leg cramps do not usually require medical...
Cycling is an aerobic sport that works the muscles in your calves and thighs. With this workout comes the risk for leg muscle cramps. Caused by an unruly muscle contraction that fails to relax as it should, muscle cramps bring along pain and...
The excruciating pain of a muscle cramp can stop you in your tracks during a workout. In most cases, though, the cramp is probably not serious and you can resolve it on your own in a matter of minutes. If you are prone to getting cramps, however,...
Calf and thigh pain upon touching and flexing can result for a number of reasons, including sciatica, which produces pain along the path of your sciatic nerve that can be painful to the touch. Muscle cramps, strains and tears may also cause pain...
When your leg muscles cramp up during the middle of a basketball game, it becomes more than just a minor annoyance. It can actually turn into a hindrance to your team's chances of winning the game. Understanding the nature of cramps and learning...
Whether they occur at night or during physical activity, leg cramps hurt. Muscle cramps occur when muscles that can be voluntarily controlled, like those in the legs, tighten involuntarily and remain contracted for an extended period of time. This...
You are just about to fall asleep or already are asleep when sudden leg cramps make you spring from bed to stand painfully until they go away. The foot may feel like it is curling under itself or the intense pain in the calf or thigh may make it...
Leg cramps are painful involuntary contractions of the muscles in the leg. Get expert tips and advice on massage and other treatments in this video.
Muscle spasms and cramps are often harmless but can accompany serious medical conditions. Learn about spasms and cramps in this medical video.
A birthing ball can be a great tool for strengthening abdominal and back muscles and relieving tension during labor. Learn how to use a birthing ball during pregnancy in this video.
