What to do when experiencing leg cramps at night

Jun 04, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

What to do when experiencing leg cramps at night

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Huang Shichang
When experiencing leg cramps during sleep, you can take the following measures to manage them: 1. Stretch the calf: Immediately straighten the leg that is cramping and try pulling the top of your foot toward your body to relieve muscle tension. 2. Massage the calf: Gently massage the affected area with both hands to help relax the muscle and improve blood circulation. 3. Apply heat or soak feet: Use a hot water bottle to apply warmth to the calf or soak your feet in warm water to soothe the muscles and reduce cramp-related pain. 4. Adjust sleeping position: Change your sleeping posture to avoid prolonged pressure on the calves, which may help reduce the occurrence of cramps. 5. Supplement calcium: If cramps occur frequently, they may be caused by calcium deficiency. Consider increasing calcium intake through foods such as milk or soy products.