Approximately 40% of pregnant women will experience leg cramps at night. ![]() Nearly every adult age 50 and older will have them at least one time. Of people over age 60, 33% will have a leg cramp at night at least once every two months. Nocturnal leg cramps can happen to anyone at any age, but they happen most often to older adults. Yearly, monthly, weekly, nightly – the frequency of leg cramps depends on the person. They may wake you up, make it harder for you to fall back asleep and leave you feeling sore all night. Leg cramps at night happen when you’re not very active, or when you’re asleep. There are, however, ways that may prevent the cramp from happening in the first place (see the “Prevention” section). Unfortunately, there are no pills or injections that instantly relieve a leg cramp when it’s happening. (Read the “Management and Treatment” section for more tips.) It might also help to apply ice or heat – use a heating pad or take a warm bath. Jiggle your leg, massage it, or force yourself to walk. Try forcefully stretching the affected muscle (for example, stretch your calf muscle by flexing your foot upward). Your muscles in the area might hurt for hours after the cramp goes away. It can be severely uncomfortable, painful or even unbearable. ![]() What does a leg cramp feel like?Ī leg cramp feels like a clenched, contracted muscle tightened into a knot. Although painful to live with, cramps are generally harmless. You might also know them as a “charley horse.” Sometimes the cramp may cause your leg to spasm – to tighten uncontrollably. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary, intense muscle pains usually in your calf, foot or thigh.
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