What should you know about calf cramps at night?

A cramp makes the calf tighten without your control and may leave soreness afterward. Night cramps can follow unusual exercise, prolonged standing, dehydration, pregnancy, or medicines that affect fluid balance. A calf cramp is a common presentation of muscle strain, but a cramp alone does not diagnose a condition. Persistent symptoms can also occur with peripheral arterial disease, hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, sarcopenia, or chronic kidney disease.

Straighten the leg, pull the toes gently toward your face, and massage the tightened muscle. Stand and place weight on the leg only if you feel steady. A warm shower or heat pack may relax the area; cooling can help lingering soreness. Drink regularly, review recent activity, and keep a note of timing, triggers, and medicines.

Get urgent help for one-sided calf swelling, warmth, redness, new breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or inability to walk. Arrange a medical assessment when cramps are frequent, severe, new after a medicine change, associated with weakness or numbness, or repeatedly disturbing sleep.

Ask whether your medicines, circulation, thyroid, kidney function, vitamin levels, or muscle strength should be assessed, and which stretching plan suits you.