Muscle Spasms in Legs

A muscle spasm, which is also referred to as a muscle cramp, is an involuntary contraction of one or more muscles. The most common place of its occurrence is the calf muscle. While muscle spasms commonly affect the foot and calf muscles, muscle groups in areas such as the front and back of the thigh, arms, hands, abdomen and muscles along the rib cage could also get affected by muscle cramps. While muscle spasms generally last for a couple of seconds, these may sometimes last for as long as ten minutes. The involuntary contraction of the muscle group is also accompanied by pain which varies in intensity from mild to severe. One can also see and feel the involved muscle harden at that time. In this article, we would be looking into the circumstances under which one may suffer from muscle spasms in legs along with ways to treat the same.

What are the Causes of Muscle Spasms in Legs?

Muscle spasms can be caused due to a variety of reasons. More often than not, involuntary muscle contractions in the leg are caused by the overuse of leg muscles. Here are some of the most common causes of leg spasms.

• Leg muscle spasms may occur in event of contraction of a muscle that is already in contracted position. For example, the calf muscle is prone to muscle spasms if one is sleeping in a position in which the knees are slightly bent, with one's feet pointing downwards.
• Another cause of involuntary muscle spasms and twitches in legs is overexertion of leg muscles. Performing an intense workout without performing warm-up exercises may cause over-stretching of the leg muscles which in turn may cause muscle fatigue. This may make one susceptible to muscle spasms in leg.
• It is believed that dehydration and loss of electrolytes may also put one at an increased risk of developing muscle spasms. Excessive sweating that may occur when one exercises in very hot weather, can lead to the depletion of electrolytes. High or low concentration of sodium or potassium would cause alteration in the concentration of salt balance in the blood thereby causing muscle cramps in legs.
• Sometimes neurological disorders may be the reason behind the occurrence of chronic muscle spasms in legs. Multiple sclerosis is one such disorder wherein the myelin sheath that covers or protects the nerves becomes inflamed. This leads to nerve damage. Muscle spasms are often associated with this neurological disorder. A spinal cord injury could also lead to muscle spasms.
• Medical conditions that lead to an abnormal distribution of body fluids are most likely to cause muscle spasms. Liver cirrhosis and kidney failure are medical conditions that are characterized by such body fluid shifts and may therefore lead to muscle spasms. Those who have been diagnosed with renal failure and need to frequently undergo dialysis often suffer from muscle cramps in legs.
• Poor circulation in legs could also make one susceptible to muscle spasms in legs. Pregnant women may suffer from spasms in legs due to the circulatory changes that take place during the course of pregnancy. Since the body goes through many changes, pregnant women are asked to take nutritional supplements to maintain normal levels of calcium and magnesium in the blood. Pregnant women suffering from a deficiency of calcium and magnesium are most likely to suffer from leg muscle cramps.
• Prolonged use of certain diuretics, antipsychotic drugs, asthma medication and statin medication may also cause involuntary muscle contractions in the leg muscles.

Ways to Prevent Muscle Spasms in Legs

Since overuse of muscles is most likely to cause leg muscle cramps, one must refrain from indulging in activities that may cause muscle fatigue. Do perform stretching exercises before performing an intense workout. After all, it is extremely essential to prepare the muscles for the impending physical activity. If you often suffer from muscle leg cramps, you can follow the remedies and precautionary measures given below.

• If you suspect the intake of a particular medication to be the possible cause of muscle spasms in the legs, consult your doctor immediately.
• Stretch your legs and feet every time you take off your shoes. This will prevent leg muscle spasms in future.
• Keep your legs elevated while resting. You can put pillows under your feet. This will help in preventing muscle spasms in legs at night.
• Massage your legs regularly with warm mustard oil, coconut oil or olive oil in the direction of muscle growth.
• Soak your feet or legs in warm water for about 10-15 minutes daily. You can also add Epsom salt to warm water.
• Drinking chamomile tea will also prove beneficial. Chamomile contains glycine, which is an amino acid that is known to relieves muscle cramps and muscle pain.
• Cut down on your intake of alcohol, tea and coffee. These have a dehydrating effect on the body.
• Exercising moderately will increase blood circulation in your body. Do take breaks and keep your body hydrated.

If you don't find any relief after trying the aforementioned natural treatments for muscle spasms, it would be best to consult a medical practitioner for proper evaluation of the cause and medical treatment. Doctors may prescribe drugs for treating the underlying cause and may also recommend the use of nutritional supplements. Generally, muscle relaxers are prescribed for those who suffer from chronic or severe muscle spasms in legs.