Always Get Leg Cramps At 3AM? You May Have One Of These Conditions

Legs in bedMost of the time, the NHS says, late-night spasm in your calves is normal.Per the health service, “Leg cramps are common, usually harmless, and only last a short time.” They add that the phenomenon usually happens at night and can be caused by everything from ageing to changes in the weather. But sometimes, vascular surgeon Dr Rema Malik shared on Instagram, “That 3 AM jolt from a searing leg cramp [is] more than just a bad night’s sleep for your parents.” Among older people in particular, she said, the “frequently dismissed” symptom can be “a critical warning sign” from your vascular, or blood vessel, system.Here are two conditions she said could lead to the symptom: 1) Peripheral artery disease (PAD)This happens when a buildup of fatty deposits prevents blood from getting to the leg muscles.It doesn’t always have symptoms, but it can result in an ache in one or both legs – especially while walking after rest – because, as Dr Malik wrote, the blockages start “starving the muscles of oxygen, which causes cramping and pain”.Other symptoms include numbness and weakness in your legs, slower-growing toenails, leg and toe hair loss, and shiny skin on your legs.2) Venous insufficiencyChronic venous insufficiency means your blood vessels don’t work the way they’re meant to, preventing blood from returning to your heart. Instead, Dr Malik explained, “The blood pools in the lower legs, leading to pressure, aching, and intense cramps, especially when lying down.” Per the Cleveland Clinic, about one in 50 people with varicose veins will go on to develop the condition, though that’s not the only cause (about one in 20 adults have chronic venous insufficiency: those over 50 are more susceptible). It can cause aches in your legs or arms as well as “pins and needles,” cramping in your legs at night, swelling in your lower legs and ankles, and open sores, often near your ankles. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rema Malik, MD, FACS, RPVI (@rema.malikmd)When should I see a doctor about leg cramps?If you notice any of these signs, if leg cramps disturb your sleep, if they last for 10 minutes or longer, and if they’re accompanied by numbness or swelling, see your GP. “Ignoring this is not a benign choice,” Dr Malik said. “What starts as cramping can escalate to chronic pain, constant heaviness, dangerous blood clots, non-healing wounds, and a severe loss of mobility. It can be the very thing that steals the independence they value so much.” Still, she added, it’s not all bad news: calling modern vascular care “incredibly advanced,” she said: “We can diagnose the root cause with a simple, painless ultrasound and most treatments are minimally invasive procedures done right in the office”. Related...6 Symptoms A Lymphoma Doctor Would Never, Ever Ignore4 Signs Your Bad Breath Might Be A Symptom Of Something Serious7 'Normal' Symptoms A Doctor Says You Should Never, Ever Ignore

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