Leg cramps

Causes and Manifestations

Leg cramps are a very common disorder, generally separated from any pathological condition. These violent, involuntary and painful spasms, mostly affecting the skeletal muscles of the calf, and occasionally that of the soles of the feet or thighs, are often a simple sign of excessive dehydration or physical fatigue.

Not surprisingly, leg cramps affect many of the sportsmen engaged in grueling competitions, such as footballers during the extra time of the summer championships. Cramps, which can also occur during sleep, awakening the subject in the throes of excruciating pain. These types of cramps are more common in old age, during the third trimester of pregnancy (see Cramps in Pregnancy) and, apparently, among people with flat feet.

Normal or Pathology?

When accompanied by specific symptoms or present in particular situations, leg cramps can be a sign of a much more serious problem than simple fatigue. For example, when they arise while walking or climbing stairs, it could be the so-called Intermittent claudication. It is a peripheral arterial disease which - due to the presence of one or more atheromatous plaques, slowly developing in the vessels carrying blood, rich in oxygen and nutrients, to the lower limbs - forces the patient to interrupt the walk due to the onset of violent leg cramps. These, however, immediately regress with rest.

Leg cramps are also characteristic of venous thrombosis, a disease in which - due to poor circulation - blood clots form in the deep venous areas of the lower limbs. The obstruction caused by these thrombi is accompanied by a sense of weakness, swelling, redness and a sensation of heat spread in the leg. Unfortunately this is a real medical emergency; as happens in most cases, the clot can in fact dissolve without cause major problems, but it can also increase in size or, worse still, rupture. If they do not dissolve in time, the small fragments generated by the rupture, called emboli, are carried by the blood to the heart, which then pushes them into the arteries of the lungs causing the so-called pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal disease.

Nocturnal leg cramps can also occur in the presence of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, anemia, thyroid dysfunction with hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, diarrhea, use of diuretics, electrolyte imbalances, alcoholism, use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (estrogen increases susceptibility to deep vein thrombosis). Among the drugs called into question, in addition to diuretics, we remember nifedipine, cimetidine, salbutamol, statins, terbutaline, lithium, clofibrates, penicillamine, phenothiazine and nicotinic acid or niacin.

What to do

Seek medical attention if cramps are accompanied by symptoms such as general malaise, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the legs or ankles, fever, redness or warmth in the affected area; ditto when leg cramps appear too frequently or during moderate effort. entity.

Prevent the appearance of leg cramps What to do when leg cramps appear Stay well hydrated Flex your feet, raising your toes straight up Maintain normal body weight and eat a balanced diet Massage the muscles affected by the cramps gently, using your hands or ice Place a slight elevation under your feet while you sleep Walk Avoid too intense efforts in relation to your training state Take a hot shower or warm bath Practice stretching regularly, especially after physical activity and before bedtime Take quinine (under medical supervision and only if all other measures have failed to solve the problem of leg cramps).

See also: All Remedies Against Cramps "