Leg Aching, Heaviness, Muscle Cramping

Symptoms of Vein Disease

If you suffer from frequent leg cramps--involuntary muscle contractions often known as “charlie horses”--you are not alone. One in three people over age 60 and half of people over 80 suffer from chronic leg cramps. While leg cramps aren’t restricted to the elderly, they are more common in the elderly population and may be a sign of a circulatory disorder or venous insufficiency. If you regularly suffer from three or more leg cramp episodes per week, be sure to consult a doctor. Most of the time, leg cramps are merely an uncomfortable inconvenience but you will want to rule out a more serious issue.

Involuntary leg cramps often occur at night, causing affected muscles to feel tight and knotted. Symptoms may last from several seconds up to several minutes and can be quite painful. Some ways to potentially alleviate nocturnal leg cramps are to drink plenty of water, engage in daily exercise and avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. Overexertion can also lead to leg cramps, and some medications list leg cramping as a side effect.

If you get a leg cramp, you can try to rub or massage the area until the pain subsides. Again, if leg cramps are affecting your sleep or are happening three or more times a week, see a doctor to make sure the cramping is not a sign of a circulatory or vein problem. The physicians at Physicians Vein Clinics specialize in these types of issues and can help you.

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