Sleep-related leg cramps are intense, sudden pains in the lower limb or foot, caused by an involuntary muscle contraction. These cramps can strike regardless of whether you're awake or asleep.
They usually start with no warning and can last just a few seconds or several minutes. For some people, they may experience one cramp per year, for others, it can be a frequent occurrence. Generally, these muscle cramps occur sporadically over time.
Stretching the affected muscle can give relief from cramps. Even though the muscle may remain tender and achy after the cramp has ended, it should slowly improve over time.
At times, leg cramps can also be eased by the following:
- Massaging the area in pain
- Applying heat to the muscle
- Moving the affected leg or foot
Muscle cramps not only cause pain, but they can prove to be a real obstacle when trying to get some rest. Going to sleep may become an issue, and if the cramp does occur during sleep, it may wake you up and make it difficult for you to drift off again.
Leg cramps and restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be easily confused. RLS is generally characterized by an urge to move the legs, compared with the tightness and pain of muscles felt with cramps. While motion helps ease the RLS, muscle stretching is required for relieving the pain of muscle cramps. Furthermore, RLS typically occurs in the evening, when trying to fall asleep, while sleep leg cramps tend to happen after falling asleep or right before resting.