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Leg cramps are a fairly common experience among all of us. Also known as a “charley horse,” this is a sudden, involuntary, intense muscle spasm usually felt in the calf, leg, or thigh.
The tendency to get leg cramps increases with age. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 60% of adults experience leg cramps at night, while 40% of children and teens do.
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The commonness of the incident has brought a tendency to “let it go” in the collective consciousness. However, Texas-based vascular surgeon Dr. Rema Malik believes that frequent nocturnal cramps are not simply a sign of dehydration or low potassium, but classic distress signals from the vascular system.
Taking to Instagram on November 4, Dr. Malik shared the two main vascular causes she looks for when she gets nighttime leg cramps.
1. Venous insufficiency (“pressure” problem)
According to Dr. Malik, this is the major vascular cause of leg cramps at night.
“After sitting or standing all day, blood pools in your lower legs. At night, stagnant, waste-filled blood and fluid can irritate your veins and muscles, causing intense cramps and the dreaded ‘restless legs’ feeling,” she explained.
2. Peripheral artery disease (“flow” problem)
Also known as “rest pain,” peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an advanced case of blocked arteries, where the leg muscles are deprived of oxygen even when the body is at rest. This condition can put the organ itself in danger.
Dr. Malik cautioned that these types of leg cramps cannot be attributed to the normal effects of aging. He said the risk of venous insufficiency increases significantly after the age of 40 and PAD after the age of 50.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
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