Nocturnal Leg Cramps
Nocturnal leg cramps are sharp, painful contractions in your muscles that occur in about 50-60% of adults at some point in their lives. They often hit you out of nowhere and can be extremely painful. I've tried to do some research on this topic, and the exact cause is mostly unknown at this point as to why cramps occur. There are some theories, but it is not fully known. Whether it be fatigue, dehydration, stiffness, or another cause, it is hard to tell. Basically, what happens is that the muscles will suddenly contract, causing an uncomfortable, painful sensation. They most often occur in the calf muscles, but can happen anywhere. Treatment is hard because we don't know the cause. There have been studies done on magnesium and potassium supplementation, as well as vitamin B complex, which have shown some positive results, but don't work for everyone. Stretching and gentle activity (walking) has been shown to help some. Stretching before bed is super beneficial to relax your muscles before sleep. Other options include heat therapy, massage, adequate hydration, and avoidance of restrictive blankets or comforters, allowing for movement while you sleep.
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