Leg cramps can be caused by: humid weather, pregnancy, dehydration, overuse of a muscle (muscle strain), blood pressure medication (diuretics) or drugs used for lowering cholesterol levels. However, leg cramps can also signal an underlying medical condition known as inadequate blood supply to the legs in which case medical advice and treatment for leg cramps Missouri clinics offer should be sought as soon as possible. Moreover, unexpected leg cramps can also signal metabolic problems such as type one diabetes, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, anemia, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease. In addition, leg cramps can even be a sign of potential heart problems or stroke because poor circulation in the arteries of the legs can also mean poor circulation in the heart arteries as well.
Other known causes of leg cramps include low levels of electrolytes (such as magnesium, potassium and calcium) and compression of the nerves from a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the back or in the neck.
Leg cramps can be easily managed using tonic water before bedtime, routine icing and heating, stretching and massage. However, they should not be ignored because they can signal life-threatening conditions that may not be easy to diagnose or identify.