A muscle cramp in the calf is a painful experience and those who habitually suffer with this problem often wonder what causes calf muscle cramps at night. The causes for muscular cramps are many like dehydration, keeping the legs in uncomfortable positions for long periods especially when one is sitting still or even just sitting for long periods and then a sudden movement could bring on a cramp; standing for long periods for flat footed people; over exertion of the muscles or deficiencies like low levels of minerals in the body like sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium. This usually happens with marathon runners because of excessive sweating. Certain medications like diuretics cause severe cramps in the legs, patients on dialysis suffer with cramps and also pregnancy causes cramps sometimes. These cramps could be in any part of the leg like the calf, foot or even on the soles of the feet.
What causes calf muscle cramps:Calf muscle cramps treatment would depend mainly on what causes calf muscle cramps in the person. Immediate relief can be provided by massaging the muscle, but in order to cure the problem it is necessary that the underlying cause of the problem is known. If it is not because of any deficiency or medication but because of strain on the muscle then rest would give relief to the problem. However, if the problem persists then it is best to see a doctor about it.
Calf muscle spasms: Calf muscle spasms and calf muscle cramps causes could result from fatigue, dehydration, deficiencies or illnesses. Cramps and spasms could be mild or very painful and affect any skeletal muscle but are more common in the feet and legs where the muscles cross the dual joints. Other muscles which get affected are the quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocremius ones apart from the abdominal muscles and arms. Sometimes cramps could be just a tic or twitch while at other times the muscle could become rock hard and the cramps could last for much longer. Often cramps ease off and return in quick succession before disappearing completely.
Pain in calf muscle: Cramps could be one of the main reasons of pain in calf muscles. This could result when the muscle gets tense and is not relieved. When this happens the pain lingers on. Sometimes this could happen because of a new form of strenuous activity which causes muscle fatigue. Other common causes are depletion of electrolytes, dehydration or neuromuscular control which has altered. Exercising on a hot day often results in muscular cramps because of sweating a lot. This happens to sports people who are out on the field in extreme weather conditions.
Calf muscle cramps at night: Calf muscle cramps at night often disturb the elderly people or women who are pregnant. In the elderly it could be because of poor circulation while in pregnant women it is often a calcium deficiency. Nocturnal cramps affect the young also after an extremely strenuous day when they have not consumed sufficient water and are dehydrated. Children also exert their leg muscles a lot and could end up with severe pain in the calves at night.
Calf muscle cramps: Calf muscle cramps that tend to affect the individual when running, sleeping or walking happen for similar reasons and treatment and relief are the same for all the cramps. However, for a permanent cure the cause of the cramps has to be diagnosed and this has to be treated after giving the person immediate relief. On the spot relief can be given with a gentle massage and sufficient fluid intake. Apart from this warm fomenting and relaxing the muscle also helps.
answered by G M