Leg cramps and seniors appear to go hand-in-hand, and the cramps tend to increase in frequency with aging. They are usually quite painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles in the thighs, calves or feet.
If this contraction occurs for longer than a few seconds, it moves from being a muscle in spasm to a leg cramp. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, tips for relief and preventive measures for leg cramps in seniors.
Leg cramps are quite common but generally come as a shock to an aging senior the first time they occur and can throw them into a panic.
This article seeks to educate the aging senior about this unexpected occurrence.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Leg Cramps
The most common site of a cramp in aging seniors is the calf.
Obvious sign of a leg cramp is localized intense pain caused by extreme muscle tightening which can last several seconds to several minutes. The muscle at the site of tightening feels tender and hard to the touch.
These cramps in the calf make walking virtually impossible due to extreme pain.
The longer the duration of the cramping, the more sore the muscle will remain even after the acute pain has subsided.
Contractions may occur while trying to sleep but are not uncommon at other times during the day.
These have both been experienced by the author.
Causes of Leg Cramps in Seniors
Aging causes a natural shortening of tendons (tissues connecting muscles to bones) and result in leg muscle cramps. It is estimated that about 75% of leg cramps occur at bedtime or during the night and can disturb the sleep pattern.
Statistics indicate that most adults above the age of 50 will experience leg cramps at least once.
Adults over 60 years of age are 33% more likely to have a leg cramp at night at least once every two months (Rodriguez 2020).
Night leg cramps in seniors are not uncommon.
UNKNOWN CAUSES
Some leg cramps happenĀ for no known reason.Ā Such cramps are called āidiopathic crampsā.
āSecondary cramps in the leg are usually a sign or complication of a more serious health condition.
They are generally associated with some type of lifestyle activity.
KNOWN CAUSES ā NON-MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Leg cramps in seniors may be triggered by various factors such as:
LifestyleĀ ā Stress, muscle fatigue from high-intensity exercise or overusing certain muscles, sitting for long periods of sitting in a way to obstruct regular blood flow in the legs and alcoholism (causes dehydration).
DehydrationĀ ā Aging is known to predispose to be less hydrated.
Many people have a long habit of getting up in the morning, having their coffee, and then continuing throughout the day drinking more caffeinated beverages than water.
This causes these fluids to be passed out in the form of urine because caffeine is a diuretic. This, of course, results in dehydration.
Changing this bad habit and drinking more water can make a difference (OāBrien 2015)
Electrolyte ImbalanceĀ ā The electrolytes calcium, potassium and magnesium may be lost during intense muscle use and dehydration through perspiration
MedicationsĀ ā Certain medications for treating conditions such as Heart disease, Alzheimerās, Parkinsonās, Cholesterol and Hypertension have been known to trigger cramping in seniors.
Leg Cramps in Seniors ā CAUSES FROM KNOWN MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Leg cramps can sometimes be a symptom of a serious health condition from a very long list:
- Diabetes
- Feet abnormalities such as flat feet (absence of the supportive arch in the feet).
- Heart conditions are caused by blood clots or diseased blood vessels.
- Kidney failure
- Low potassium blood levels.
- Nerve damage due to chemotherapy fused for cancer treatment
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinsonās disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Progressive neuromuscular disease and
- Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
Natural Treatment of Leg Cramps at Night
Leg cramps are painful, and when they do occur, the immediate desire of the affected is to find relief.
It is unhelpful if you do not know what to do as this will continue to prolong the pain. Lying down or sitting down will not provide any relief.
So, what is the best treatment for leg cramps? Can you stop leg cramps immediately?
Stretch. Despite your aversion to doing so, straighten your leg and then flex it several times. Pull your toes towards your shin to stretch the muscles.
Massage the muscles. Use your hands to gently massage the muscles. Sometimes you may find this difficult to do because of the pain.
Stand Up. Press your feet against the floor as forcefully as you can.
You might not have success doing this the first time, but persist until you can do it.
It will provide some relief.
Begin to Walk. While you are walking around, ensure that you periodically wiggle your leg.
Also, try to walk on your heels for some time to activate the muscles opposite your calf. Not very easy, but still doable!
Apply heat or cold to the affected areaĀ if possible. To apply heat use a heating pad or apply cold by wrapping a bag of ice in a towel.
Take Over-the-Counter Pain killersĀ if you continue to experience soreness after cramping has subsided.
Finally, take some time to evaluate what could have triggered the event so that you try to manage future events.
Ways to Prevent Leg Cramps in Seniors
Because most leg cramps occur while in bed at night, it is helpful to find ways to prevent, reduce, or treat leg cramps in seniors and the elderly.
Here are a few ways to prevent nocturnal muscle cramps:
- Drink plenty of fluids during the day to avoid being dehydrated. Drink 6-8 cups of preferably non-caffeinated liquids each day
- During the day, always wear supportive footwear that is not tight especially if you have flat feet.
- Stretch your legs, especially your calves and hamstrings before going to bed. Regular daily stretching may also help prevent nocturnal leg cramps
- Sleep with loose, untucked sheets and comforters to keep feet un-constricted and pointed upward
- Change your sleeping position if you consistently find that one position triggers nocturnal clamping.
- For electrolyte imbalance, use of supplements may be beneficial. Two highly rated ones are Magnesium Bisglycinate TRAACS 100% Vegan Magnesium Supplement, and Jamieson Magnesium Night.
- Use pillows to elevate or wedge your legs to make your sleeping position more comfortable. Leg elevation pillows have proved beneficial to improving blood circulation in the legs and providing relief during the night when leg cramps in seniors largely occur as they age. Check a previous article on this website for detailed review of several leg elevation pillows and how to go about choosing the right one for you ā Leg Cramps in Seniors. The Best Leg Pillows for Night Relief.
Conclusion ā Leg Cramps in Seniors
Leg cramps in seniors and in general can be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies, blood circulation problems, dehydration, various medical conditions, and an excess or lack of exercise.
However, some people without these indications still experience unexplained muscle cramps with many of them happening in the middle of the night while sleeping.
This article looks at the cause of leg cramps in the night and provides tips for relieving pain along with some preventive measures.
Most importantly, see your healthcare provider immediately if the leg cramps are increasingly frequent with longer periods of pain. They could indicate an underlying medical condition.
Leave a comment if you liked this article or have your own experience to share.
Related Articles
- Leg Cramps in Seniors. The Best Leg Pillows For Night Relief
- Reasons for Leg Cramps. Natural Remedies that Work
References
1. Sharon M. OāBrien (2015) Overcoming nocturnal leg cramps https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/the-waiting-room/overcoming-nocturnal-leg-cramps/
2. J. Rodriguez (2020) Leg Cramps in Elderly Adults Griswold Home Care
Wow, that leg cramp at night is just horrible. I guess this is due to decreased movements. I find that with the working from home scenario, I have to force myself to move away from the computer and simply walk around the house to prevent these cramps. I know others who are just plain suffering from this inactivity crisis and they too have to make an effort to move around.
Thanks for sharing these tips to alleviate much of the discomfort. I try a bit of massage before going to bed and I find that the discomfort is less frequent. You are however perfectly correct that sometimes the pain is so intense that massaging is more painful. Thank you.
Hi Josephine,
Leg cramps are really horrible! There are natural remedies you can incorporate into your diet. You will find another article on this website useful that discusses this.
https://metamorphosishub.com/reasons-for-leg-cramps-natural-remedies/#more-2131
Ceci
Hi Ceci, I know this phenomenon very well. I have several autoimmune diseases and suffer for years already from leg cramps, mostly feet cramps. I use magnesium oil on my feet, and it helps very much. When we are getting older, the minerals decline very much, and our body takes them from tissue, so we experience a shortage. Magnesium is essential for many functions. Taking a half teaspoon of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt will do the trick. It helps to recover minerals and especially trace minerals! Beautiful and interesting article! Thank you very much!:)
Hi Sylvia,
Cramps are such a pain! Thank you also for the recommendation oof the use of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt to boost Magnesium. I will be trying it.
Ceci
Leg cramps have became more common with age and I now log them for frequency. Most are nighttime calf cramps that go away quickly. The worse ones have been thigh hamstring cramps after exercising and I think sometimes have been prompted by the way I was sitting for a long period of time after exercise. Also one must stretch after exercising as when I stretch after exercising they rarely happen from exercise. I also have discovered pickle juice to drink for day time cramps.
Yes CWL, leg cramps increase in frequency with age and they differ in the location in the leg, Some seem to have the night-time cramps in the calf area, but I find them more frequently occurring in the foot. I have found relieg by using a leg pillow.
I will certainly try the pickle juice tip and may write a follow-up article with my observations.
Thanks for visiting the site.
Ceci
I am 71 and Ihave started having very severe inner thighs cramps, calf cramps, & feet cramps, I have been using topical bio freeze and it helps to rub these gels on my legs before bed and I use a heating pad. I am also being challenged to drive even in the daytime because of these cramps. All my blood tests do not show any deficiencies. I Am at a loss on what to do! I have to get out of bed and get in the shower to put hot water on my legs and I am usually screaming bloody murder!
Hi Lucy, So sorry to learn about your cramps and especially since your blood tests show no deficiencies. Have you consulted a doctor for an opinion? It is such a shame that you are in so much pain. Have you tried using a couple of pillows to elevate your legs when you sleep or better still use a leg elevation pillow? Although no two individuals are the same, Iāve known a couple of folks who have found this helpful.
You might find another article written when I was similarly looking for a solution myself informative. There are several reasons why leg cramps develop and there are some natural remedies. Here is the link
https://metamorphosishub.com/reasons-for-leg-cramps-natural-remedies/
Finally, I would recommend that you see a doctor if you havenāt already done so because you really should not have to live with so much pain. I really would love to know how all this works out for you as the information could help someone else. Good luck!
Ceci
This is me too! I suffer every night! Iām up. every 2 hours! I have to get out of bed, force my heels down, then stretch the cramp out. Sometimes, itās so bad, I can hardly walk. Iāve tried every type of magnesium powder, supplement tablets, sprays, under the tongue sprays, drinking a ts baking soda in warm water before bedtime, corks in the bed, cooked banana juice and eat high magnesium foods, such as salmon, bananaās avocadoās etcā¦ā¦..to drinking a lot of water, which makes me pee, every hour! Doctorās not interested in helpingā¦..itās like, well thatās what happens when you get olderā¦ā¦.āyou just have to live with it! Oh, I do put my legs up the wall, every night before bed too!
So sorry to read about the challenges you have faced with leg cramps Pare. It is such a shame that despite all the tips and tricks you have tried, you have been unable to find a solution. I truly empathize with you as a fellow sufferer. The only other suggestion I can offer is that it might be a good idea to see another doctor because some medical conditions can cause leg cramps. Check out this article:
https://metamorphosishub.com/leg-cramp-causes-6-medical-conditions-that-are-hidden-culprits/
I too have thigh cramps. In fact they are more like contractions. Blooming awful. My right leg is the worst and it happens at night. I started going to a holistic clinic to have my legs massage every 4-5 weeks. I feel that it does help. And I try to get the right supplement, such as Himalayan salt. I donāt sit down much but if I have been sat at the computer longer than usual the back of the thigh is desperately painful even when I stretch my leg. It can happen in both legs these days. I am 70 now too. KB
Hi Kathy,
I can definitely empathize with you. These cramps can be excrutiating!! Although I am not a physician, my personal experience has been to regularly move the legs around during the day to help with blood circulation. I also found that regularly exercising my legs even while I am sitting in front of the television or at my computer desk very helpful. Finally, using a leg or sometimes knee pillow also works wonders for me. I think it is a combination of all three techniques that have helped rid me of these cramps.
Getting your legs massaged at the holistic clinic as you do is super, as it helps to increase circulation to your legs. I think you should try to exercise the legs more frequently even while you are just sitting down at the computer etc. By the way, have you discussed your situation with your doctor? He might be able to provide additional guidance.
Thanks
Ceci
Iām writing this now trying not to scream in pain due to terrible foot and shin cramps. Itās 3 am, Iāve just got back into bed but my ankle is still very sore and stiff. Iām 78 but quite active having to take my dog for walks.
So sorry to hear about your ordeal Jan. I empathize with you because I had a period where I was constantly experiencing these cramps myself ā and at such unholy hours just like you too. Keeping the cramps at bay seemed to work well for me with a combination of preventive measures highlighted in the blog. Staying hydrated by drinking lots and lots of water throughout the day and wearing compression socks proved to be helpful for me.
Regards,
Ceci
10:18 a.m. ā 10/10/22
Last night was a ānightmareā. I awoke each and every hour with screaming calf, shin and foot cramps. Mostly in my left leg, but right leg, some, but not as much. It was able to ease off a little by walking around the house. slowly. Every time I went back to bed, and fell asleep, the cramps would wake me up again and again. I drink plenty of water (bottled) and bicycle ride. We played bocce yesterday afternoon, and both legs started to hurt a little then. In 2018 I did have hip replacement; and one year after that, I fell. The doctor did take exrays, but said all was ok. (Iām not so sure).
Hi Constance,
I empathize with you because I have also experienced these crams and I know that they are really painful! I am not a medic, and since your doctor said all was Ok, I presume that means you do not have medical causes triggering these cramps. The only thing I could see from my research (stated in the article ) could be due to the āintense muscle useā in the afternoon when you played bocce.
I applaud you for keeping hydrated with lots of water throughout the day. My cramps were triggered by by not drinking enough water during the day, with a preference for coffee. Once I corrected this and used some of the tips in the article, I was in better shape.
Ceci
Although it sounds unlikelyā¦. Spraying the cramped area with the cheapest, canned hair spray does make it stop. We were skeptical, but tried it, and it works. Occasionally, it might take more than one spray. But, it works. My wife carries the small can in her purse.
Hi Larry, Thanks for the read.
Wow! Now that youāve shared this tip about spraying the cramped area with cheap canned hair spray, I am going to try it out. Unfortunately, I hardly ever experience these cramps since I evaluated my diet. Check out this article which you may find helpful as well https://metamorphosishub.com/reasons-for-leg-cramps-natural-remedies/
Ceci
I have had occasional leg cramps for years. The most effective treatment for me has been the use of heated bean bags. Heat in the microwave, on max, for 1.25-1.5 minutes. Apply to painful area. Sometimes I even have to crawl to the microwave, but the cure is almost instantaneous, ~15 sec. It helps to do this with stretching. I usually leave the bags on until they have lost the majority of their heat. You can repeat the treatment if needed.
Hi Joel,
Thanks for sharing your remedy! Some find that either a hot or a cold pack gives them relief. I personally agree with you on the heated pack and have some personal experience with that. I think the heated bean bag will not lose heat as quickly as the regular packs. Hope some of our readers will try it out.
Ceci
I went to my doctor and he prescribed me Quinine sulphate tablets to be taken at night before sleep. my problem was severe calf cramps on .my left leg on waking up. the cramp always starts when I move my legs on awakening and have to jump out of bed to press my foot to the floor. i have found that the quinine helped however lately had to increase the dosage from 200mgs ie 1 tablet to 2 tablets to take an effect , certainly helps.
Hi Terry,
Thanks for sharing your experience. It really is interesting that your cramps occur upon waking up each day. This must really be quite distressful for you. Thankfully, your doctor was able to provide you with a prescription. I am delighted to learn that this is helping you.
Ceci
Some very interesting tips from other sufferers of leg cramps. I am a retired a nurse and my leg cramps just started with a vengeance. Sometimes every night for the past 4 weeks. I have increased my water intake and reduced my coffee intake by half. I have used electrolyte tablets in my water as well when I am gardening most of the day. This new problem is discouraging to me. The walking around the house sometimes 3x a night is very depressing. You wonder when will it stop. And I do scream sometimes with the pain from my toes to my groin and sometime my fingers and arm. Thanks for the suggestions I will try the ones that I am not already using. Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for the read and visiting Metamorphosis Hub. So sorry to read about your leg cramps Nancy. I can certainly feel your pain!
I am however delighted that you found the article useful and learned about useful tips proffered by other sufferers. Have you increased your water intake throughout the course of the day, or do you tend to drink most of it in the evening or shortly before bedtime? I have found that doing the latter just keeps me paying visits to the bathroom several times during the night. Seems like itās in ā¦ā¦.and then out in a hurry! Generally however, hydration seems to help me. Unfortunately, we are all different and what works well for me might not do so for someone else. I guess that is why there are so many options (:-)
If you do try some of the other suggestions as you indicated you would and still do not get relief, I would suggest that you see your doctor because sometimes there are underlying medical conditions that can cause leg cramps.
Do let the community know either way, and consider subscribing to the site so that you are one of the first to know when new articles are published. Also, stay tuned for a series of upcoming articles on different medical conditions that can cause leg cramps.
Regards,
Ceci
Gosh! I am amazed that so many people have leg cramps, me too in the night. Very, very painful, from the hip to the toes. I fell out of bed last night before I woke. The pain was so intense, my husband slept thru all the noise I was makingā¦. No-one else can help so I do try not to wake him. I will certainly try the Sea Salt. Remembered when I was young my āsecondā familyās boys were given salt tablets every day. Not sure if you can purchase them anymore? I turned 80 last February and seem to be suffering more. Take Magnesium plus Tonic water, and some tablets from Doctor ā Sifrol not keen on upping the dose! Will think of all the folk who are suffering with me. Thank you for your articles.
Hi Coral,
Thanks for visiting the site. I am glad that you found value in these articles about leg cramps.
I certainly feel your pain as a previous sufferer myself! You are definitely not alone! Itās also great to know that there are various remedies and products that can provide some relief. Different things work for different people. I have found that identifying your triggers first is important. This will narrow your solution. Fortunately for me, I discovered that poor hydration and coffee were my triggers, and I quickly made some lifestyle changes.
So glad to read that you have also consulted your doctor. This is a smart move because there are some medical conditions that can trigger leg cramps. Check out this article: https://metamorphosishub.com/leg-cramp-causes-6-medical-conditions-that-are-hidden-culprits/.
Do visit again, or better still subscribe (free) to the website and you will be one of the first to know as new and interesting articles are published every week.
Ceci
I had a really bad night last night with leg and feet cramps. I kept me awake about each hour of the night.
Iām 82 and find they most often occur after Iāve done some physical work around the house.
I take magnesium glycinate and potassium twice daily with a dose just before bed. Iāve tried all the over-the-counter meds and home remedies w/o much success. One home remedy that has provided the most help is a large glass of original V8 juice. (maybe the sodium?)
I have to work at hydrating but yesterday, while doing the work project, I drank copious amounts of water but the cramps struck anyway.
Hi Richard,
I am so sorry to hear that these cramps are keeping you awake for much of the night. To be honest with you, I found that it was through trial and error with various remedies and closely watching for triggers that helped me with mine. It is also good to learn that you started hydrating a few days ago. You will need to be really consistent with this to see if there are improvements.
I also hope you have had a chat with your doctor about these cramps and the supplements you are taking because there are some medical conditions that can trigger leg cramps. Check out this article: https://metamorphosishub.com/leg-cramp-causes-6-medical-conditions-that-are-hidden-culprits/
Many thanks for sharing the tip about the large glass of original V8 juice! That is amazing and I will research this and share with our community in a compilation post of different remedies others have suggested.
Do visit the site again and consider subscribing to the website community as you will then be one of the first to know as interesting articles are published each week.
Ceci
Good morning. I have also been experiencing feet cramps mainly. Last night around 9pm as I went to bed, my left foot cramped. I screamed blue murder. I stood up, my hubby bless his heart, gave me some salt. Some water.
I could not pick up my foot from the ground for a while
I cried so much. Hubby massaged slowly and eventually after a few minutes it subsided, leaving a sore leg.
I have hypertension.
I am vegetarian.
I do have at 3 to 4 cups of coffee.
Most definitely will cut down to 1 cup as of today.
Will try the recommendations
Thank you for sharing
Thanks so much for the comment Selvie.
Leg cramps in older adults are fairly common and I must confess, I was really surprised to discover that there are so many sufferers 9evidenced by the comments). Indeed I feel your pain, because it is what I have gone through myself. Thankfully, there is something more we can do than to āscream and bear it!ā:-), although not all remedies will work as well for individuals the same way. Unfortunately, itās sometimes a case of trial-and-error.
Cutting down on coffee is an excellent strategy and hydration is an absolute must!!!!!I hope they help.
There are several articles on this website about leg cramps. You can check some of them out by typing āleg crampsā in the search bar at the top of the page. There are several comments on what others have tried that have helped.
If the cramping becomes frequent, I suggest you consult your healthcare provider as there are some medical conditions that can also cause leg spams and cramp.
https://metamorphosishub.com/leg-cramp-causes-6-medical-conditions-that-are-hidden-culprits/
https://metamorphosishub.com/causes-of-leg-cramps-at-night-how-to-stop-them/
Keep us posted in this community and consider subscribing to our newsletter.
Ceci
Good Morning Dr
I have done Bypass surgery & stant , taking Medicine for
Diabitic ā 500mg tb two times a day
bp ā CORBIT one tb
blood thiner ā Asperin, & Clopigel one tb
High colestrol ā Rosvastatin one
Uric Asid ā Zaylorine
my age 75
now suddenly started Leg CRAMP at night , two three time any leg
Increasing problem
Please guide
Good day Umesh,
My first suggestion is that you bring this concern to the attention of your medical doctor right away because there may be contraindications. Your doctor can look into this for you.
In the meantime, all I can offer are suggestions to help you relieve the pain. I know how painful these leg cramps can be because I used to experience them myself a while back. What I always tell people is that the causes of leg cramps can be different in different people, however dehydration can be a common cause for many people. I recommend that you start to drink more water because many seniors tend not to drink as much water as they used to do as they grow older. Next pay close attention to what you eat to see if there is any particular food or drink that seems to trigger the cramps. In addition there are several articles on this website about leg cramps and other natural ways to relieve them. Search for āleg crampsā under Categories and they will all be listed for you. Make sure you read the comments for some interesting information and tips provided by other fellow sufferers.
Once again, quickly schedule a visit to your doctor. Consider joining our community by subscribing to the website for more informative articles as soon as they are released.
Let us know your outcome as the information can benefit others.
Ceci
Not a long-term solution, but when I do get leg cramps, I run (ha-ha) to the shower and turn it on to heat up to as hot as I can take it. Then I try the already given suggestions (stretch, rub, walk, etc.). If they donāt work, the shower is up to temp by then, and I jump right in (I am lucky to have a detachable showerhead that can pulse). Pain is usually gone in 15-30 seconds, but occasionally takes several minutes for the really bad ones.
Thanks for sharing Kathy. That is an unusual solution š If it works for you, then that is all that matters. Iām glad you realize that it is not a sustainable solution. What would you do if you get the cramps while in an airplane? š Check out some of the other articles (and comments) on this website for some options
https://metamorphosishub.com/causes-of-leg-cramps-at-night-how-to-stop-them/
https://metamorphosishub.com/leg-cramp-causes-6-medical-conditions-that-are-hidden-culprits/