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Ask the Doc: ‘Help, I keep getting cramp’


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Secondary cramps can be caused by exercise.
Secondary cramps can be caused by exercise.

Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24 medical director, answers readers’ questions in our weekly column

Q. I keep getting cramp in my leg which is becoming a real nuisance. What should I do next?

A. Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful.

It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs.

After the cramping has passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your leg for several hours.

Three out of four cases occur at night during sleep – which can be very irritating.

Leg cramps can occur for no apparent reason, known as idiopathic leg cramps, or as a symptom or complication of a health condition, known as secondary leg cramps.

Causes of secondary leg cramps can include:

  • Pregnancy
  • Exercise
  • Certain types of medication, such as statins (medicines that help lower cholesterol levels)
  • Liver disease

During a cramp, your muscles suddenly contract (shorten), causing pain in your leg. This is known as a spasm, and you cannot control the affected muscle. The cramp can last from just a few seconds to 10 minutes.

Speak to your GP if your leg cramps are affecting your quality of life; for example, if you have frequent leg cramps or they are interfering with your sleep.

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and perform any required examination.

They may also ask if you have other symptoms, such as numbness or swelling, which may be a sign that you have secondary leg cramps caused by an underlying condition.

In this case, you may need further tests, such as blood tests and urine tests, to rule out the possibility of other conditions.

- For more information and advice about cramps, visit www.nhsinform.scot.

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