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Sudden, uncontrollable cramping of the calf muscle at night is a painful condition that afflicts about 70 percent of adults over the age of 50.
These nocturnal leg cramps are often sharp enough to interrupt a deep sleep and can last anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes.
What causes the condition? Researchers don’t have a definitive answer, but dehydration, prolonged sitting, and overexertion of the muscles all appear to contribute to the problem.
Doctors can prescribe medication to relieve acute cramping that regularly interferes with sleep, but if you suffer from just occasional symptoms, try the following:
Drink water. Try a few ounces of prevention: Drink six to eight glasses of water during the day. Water is the best choice for keeping the body well hydrated.
Stay loose. Don’t wrap blankets tightly around your body, especially your feet. Don’t point your toes downward while you sleep—this can also affect circulation.
Stretch. Throughout the day, periodically stretch your calf muscles.
React the right way. If you wake up with a cramp in the middle of the night, flex your foot so that your toes point upward.
You can also stand up, placing all your weight on the affected leg, and bend at the knee to stretch out the muscle. Applying a heating pad or ice pack can also relieve the pain.