{"id":16827,"date":"2022-05-10T11:44:32","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T09:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurologiaclinica.es\/neurological-diseases-and-disorders\/leg-cramps\/"},"modified":"2025-04-29T10:11:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T08:11:29","slug":"leg-cramps","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurologiaclinica.es\/en\/neurological-diseases-and-disorders\/leg-cramps\/","title":{"rendered":"Leg cramps"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Leg cramps<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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What are cramps?<\/h3>

Cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that are usually located in the muscles of the legs, feet or thighs. They are characterized by the sudden onset of intense pain and sensation of muscle contraction, which can become unbearable. <\/p>

They may last from seconds to several minutes and the affected muscle may be sore for hours. Recurrent cramps may cause severe insomnia. <\/p>

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They affect between 40% and 60% of people over 50 years of age, especially women.<\/p>

What is its cause?<\/h3>

The exact mechanism is unknown in most cases, although they are most likely related to muscle fatigue and peripheral nerve dysfunction. In addition, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of onset such as advanced age, pregnancy, dehydration or strenuous physical exercise. <\/p>

These diseases can also cause cramps: flat feet, hyperextension of the knee (genu recurvatum), anemia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, peripheral vascular disease, venous insufficiency in legs, liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease (hemodialysis), Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease (ALS), radiculopathies (lumbar canal stenosis), neuropathies and myopathies.<\/p>

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Likewise, there are many drugs whose possible side effects include cramps, as should be indicated in the package insert. Some of them are brocodilators, antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin), antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, statins and fibrates, estrogens, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and others such as, for example, ciprofloxacin, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, statins and fibrates, estrogens, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or others such as, for example, cisplatin, vincristine, donepezil, naproxen, nifedipine, pyrazinamide, raloxifene, teriparatide, tolcapone.<\/p>

How do you get to know a possible cause of cramps?<\/h3>

The patient’s history is essential in order to identify a possible cause of cramps, which should take into account the need to differentiate them from other medical disorders such as restless legs syndrome, rhythmic lower limb movements during sleep, sleep myoclonias, intermittent claudication, venous thrombophlebitis, myalgias. The history should also include active diseases, medical history, and all drugs and supplements taken. <\/p>

When do they usually occur?<\/h3>

Cramps usually appear at night, so they can cause insomnia. They appear abruptly without warning, although there are situations such as pregnancy, muscle overload or side effects of certain drugs that may warn of the possibility of cramps appearing. <\/p>

What circumstances may facilitate the onset of cramps?<\/h2>