Calf cramps at night

If a cramp in the legs occurs during the night, the associated pain is usually so severe that the person concerned wakes up. These nocturnal muscle cramps usually occur in less athletic people. But even if intensive sports were done during the day, cramps can occur at night.

Even pregnant women often experience cramps in their legs at night due to hormonal and metabolic changes. Diabetics may also experience frequent muscle cramps at night. A short walk in the evening helps to prevent cramps at night.

You should also make sure that you drink enough. Stretching exercises before going to bed are also helpful. A very rare cause of cramps at night is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease in which the motor nerves are affected. Painful cramps and muscle twitches can occur during the course of the disease. However, ALS is very unlikely to be the cause of night-time cramps, as it is a very complex and rare clinical picture.

Muscle cramps at night

Muscle cramps can occur acutely during exercise or at rest, typically at night after increased exertion. In most cases, there is a relative magnesium deficiency due to the muscular strain during the day, which leads to increased excitability with a lowered cramp threshold. At night, particularly one-sided postures, uncomfortable lying positions or slight permanent pressure on the muscles can cause spontaneous cramps which are very unpleasant and tear the person concerned out of sleep. Particularly frequently affected are athletes, pregnant women or those suffering from certain metabolic or gastrointestinal diseases.

Cramps in the thighs

The thighs are a relatively common location for muscle cramps. The muscles of the thigh are heavily strained during many sports and everyday activities. Increased muscle work also leads to an increased metabolism and an increased consumption of important electrolytes and messenger substances at the muscle cells.As a result, magnesium or calcium deficiency can occur, which leads to hyperexcitability of the muscle cells and a tendency to cramps. Even with a balanced diet and a sufficient intake of electrolytes and minerals, muscle cramps can often occur as a result of heavy athletic strain, both in inexperienced and professional athletes.