Cause

• Dehydration from sports can cause you to lose too much fluid through sweating, which is a common cause for cramping, according to MedicineNet. It also notes that any time you suffer from dehydration, whether from excessive sweating, from taking diuretics or from not getting enough to drink, it can cause cramping.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Often, you can stop the cramp in your leg by stretching or by getting up and walking. If you get a cramp while in bed, without getting out of bed, you can flex your ankle and pull your toes up toward your head. Other methods to relieve the cramp are to massage the area and putting a warm heating pad on it.
  
  

Considerations

• If your cramp is the result of vigorous activity, you must replace the fluids and electrolytes, as you get in drinks such as Gatorade. Generally, you will not need medicine to relieve cramps, according to MedicineNet, because by the time the medicine takes effect, the cramp probably will be over.
  
  

Expert Insight

• You can take some precautions to prevent muscle cramps from happening. If you get cramps associated with physical activity, stretching before and after the activity will help. Additionally, you should drink plenty of liquids before, during and after the activity. If your leg cramps are from repetitive, non-vigorous activity, you may be getting them from wearing high heels or if your chair is not adjusted properly. If you get leg cramps while in bed, you should try stretching before going to bed. If you have severe, nighttime leg cramping, the MedicineNet article recommends that you ask your doctor about getting a foot board to help better position your feet during sleep. Another way to prevent night cramps is to make sure you are getting enough calcium and magnesium, according to MedicineNet. They note that taking calcium before going to bed could help to prevent muscle cramps.
  
  

Noteworthy

• Vitamin E can help prevent cramps, according to MedicineNet. They note that while scientific reports are lacking, there have been enthusiastic anecdotal reports.