Waking up suddenly with a painful tightening in your calf can be an unpleasant experience. Night leg cramps are common and usually harmless, but they can make it difficult to get back to sleep.
The good news is that several simple habits may help reduce how often they occur.
What Are Night Leg Cramps?
Night leg cramps, sometimes called nocturnal leg cramps, are sudden and involuntary muscle contractions that happen during sleep or while you’re resting. They most often affect the calf, but the feet and thighs can also be involved.
A cramp may last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, and the affected muscle can remain sore afterward.
Night cramps are also different from restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome generally causes an uncomfortable urge to move the legs rather than the sudden, painful muscle contraction associated with a cramp.
Why Do Night Cramps Happen?
In many
