What are the Causes of Having Leg Pain at Night?
Being awaken from a deep slumber because of extreme leg pain at night can be frustrating. Night leg pain is no laughing matter, it truly is painful! There are various causative factors that lead to this condition. Some may be of minor origins, but it could also be due to some major underlying diseases. Depending on the cause, the type of pain can be aching, dull, severe and excruciating. Lower leg pain at night is mostly leg muscle cramps. It is important to know what is causing the leg pain so that appropriate medical intervention can be started.
In this article we will explore the different plausible causes of leg pain at night.
Charley Horse Problem
It is a nocturnal leg cramps usually in the calf area. This discomfort is caused by dehydration, hormonal imbalance, electrolyte imbalance particularly potassium. It can also occur during the second trimester of pregnancy or in strenuous exercise.
Restless leg Syndrome
It is a condition wherein a person always moves his leg. This constant movement is done to reduce the burning leg pain at night. Additionally, the person also experienced numbness, tingling and unpleasant sensation. Obesity, iron deficiency anemia, and smoking are just some of the causes of restless leg syndrome.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
It is one of the factors that can lead to leg pain at night. In DVT, a clot is lodge in one of the veins in the leg causing inflammation.
Diabetic Neuropathy
It can lead to lower leg pain at night because the nerves on the legs are damage. For that reason, there is poor circulation of the blood in the lower leg.
Other conditions that can precipitate burning leg pain at night are nerve injury, varicosity, sciatic nerve problems, Achilles tendon rupture.
On the contrary, there are ways to relieve the pain in the lower leg. For severe muscle cramps like Charley horse, drink plenty of water and other fluids to hydrate your body. Leg cramps are often triggered by dehydration, thus hydration is essential.
Prevent excessive exercise because it can lead to muscle fatigue. If you assume that your leg pain is because of muscle overuse, elevate and rest your muscle legs whenever possible. Better yet, perform stretching and warm-ups exercises before and after physical exercise.
Eat a healthy diet. Consume foods that are rich in Potassium and Calcium to prevent electrolyte imbalance. Strawberries, bananas, oranges, spinach are just some of the foods with high potassium content.
Finally, consult your physician if you experiencing frequent leg pain at night. Ask your doctor to review the medicines you are currently taking, since certain drugs such as diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalance.
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