Before we get into the details, a quick question: Have you ever felt discomfort from leg cramps? If so, you’re probably familiar with the unpleasant feeling of rubbing your leg, and you’re desperately hoping the cramp will subside. While these spasms may go away within seconds, persistent pain can last for 3-4 days.

Nocturnal leg cramps, also known as nocturnal cramps, tend to occur during the night, and are often attributed to insufficient physical activity during the day. The underlying mechanism involves experts warning that insufficient blood flow to the legs is a common cause of these cramps.

Unfortunately, these annoying spasms, which last only a few seconds, can significantly disrupt your sleep. People over the age of 50 are most susceptible, although it is important to note that even younger individuals can be affected. Usually, these spasms target the leg muscles, but sometimes, they may affect the thigh muscles as well.

Differentiating between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and nocturnal leg cramps (NLC), there are three basic differences:

RLS does not cause pain or spasm, while NLC does.
RLS manifests as a crawling feeling or discomfort in the legs.
RLS stimulates leg movement, while NLC inhibits it.
Common causes of nocturnal leg cramps:

Experts identify several risk factors for NLC, including:

Long periods of incorrect sitting posture.
Extended periods of sitting.
Standing for long periods on concrete floors.
Excessive muscle strain.
In addition, certain medical conditions can contribute to NLC:

Parkinson’s disease.
alcoholism.
Pregnancy.
drying.
Flat feet.
Diabetes.
Use of diuretics.
The best natural treatments and preventive methods for NLC:

To mitigate and prevent NLC, experts recommend the following:

Horse chestnut to promote blood flow in the legs.
Apply a heating pad to the affected area.
Acupuncture.
Stretching exercises.
Adequate hydration.
Avoid high heels.
Take magnesium/potassium supplements.
swimming.
What to do when NLC hits:

If you experience NLC, here are some recommended actions:

Stand and walk around for about 5 minutes.
Gently massage the affected area.
Take 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard.