When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

For most people, night leg cramps are just a bother — something that jerks them awake sometimes. But some people who have them might need to see a health care provider.

Seek medical care right away if you have:

  • Severe cramping that continues.
  • Night leg cramps after coming into contact with a toxin, such as lead.

Schedule an office visit if you:

  • Are tired during the day because leg cramps interrupt your sleep.
  • Have muscle weakness and muscle wasting with leg cramps.

Self-care

To help prevent night leg cramps, try to:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, but limit alcohol and caffeine.
  • Stretch leg muscles or ride a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before bedtime.
  • Loosen the sheets and covers at the foot of the bed.

To relieve night leg cramps, try to:

  • Stretch the leg and flex the foot up toward the face.
  • Massage the muscle with ice.
  • Walk or shake the leg.
  • Take a hot shower and point the water at the cramped muscle, or soak in a warm bath.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

March 02, 2023