Ask the doctor: How can I prevent leg cramps at night?
Ask the doctor
I have been having frequent foot and calf cramps at night that are quite painful. They come on when I first get into bed. What causes them? Can I do anything to prevent them?These cramps can result from musculoskeletal problems like flat feet or high arches, dehydration, long periods of sitting, or long hours of standing on hard floors. People with neurological problems such as Parkinson's disease or neuropathy (nerve damage) often get nocturnal muscle cramps, too. Anemia is a less common cause.
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