can diabetes cause leg cramps at night

These types of imbalances cause cramping in athletes engaged in extended strenuous exe… Discuss possible vitamin deficiencies with your doctor. "Abnormal blood levels of electrolytes, such as calcium, magnesium, or even potassium, can develop muscle cramps. Night cramps are different than cramps that happen after strenuous physical activity. Medication for Diabetes Leg Pain Diabetes leg pain can sometimes be relieved with over the counter medicine. Monitor your nighttime leg cramps and share the results with your doctor to avoid developing more serious health problems. It could be a sign of nerve damage, referred to as diabetic neuropathy, which is a result of ongoing high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) with type 2 diabetes. Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help alleviate mild to moderate pain. On the other hand, they can feel like a "buzzing or shocking sensation," according to Healthline. Cancer & Diabetes: What's the Connection? 33% of people over age 60 will have a leg cramp at night at least once every two months. 40% of pregnant women will experience leg cramps at night. Eat a well-balanced diet that includes lean meat and fish, low-fat dairy, whole grains and fruits and vegetables. If you get nerve damage in your legs or in your arms, it’s referred to as diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements as some have side effects and others could have contraindications. Diabetes, Hi Ankle and leg cramps at night often occur for unknown reasons, but structural disorders, such as spinal stenosis; medications for blood pressure and cholesterol; or conditions such as dehydration and diarrhea can cause the discomfort, according to Mayo Clinic. (this includes leg and foot cramps). Peripheral neuropathy can also result in serious foot and leg conditions. If you would prefer to avoid the use of medication, then there are many other options available (such as dietary supplements). Two medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Other medications and treatment options include the use of opioid medications, such as tramadol and tapentadol, and topical remedies and sprays. Leg cramps can occur because elevated blood sugar causes excessive urination and subsequent dehydration. If you experience leg cramps, you should report the symptoms to your doctor. Leg cramps are instantaneous, involuntary (automatic, not under your control), and sustained painful contractions of one or more groups of muscles. It is not the metformin. Nerve damage People with peripheral vascular disease or diabetic neuropathy may suffer from muscle cramps, with poor circulation and nerve damage likely to instigate spasms. Diabetes For Adults & Children View Articles. Charley horses are cramps that are caused by muscle spasms, involuntary contractions of one or more muscles. Some diabetes and blood pressure medications can zap vitamins and minerals which can cause cramps in your legs. Medication Side effects from certain medications used to treat diabetes can result in muscle cramps. They tend to occur most often in … Dr. Laurence Kinsella, professor of neurology at Saint Louis University says, "Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a so-called minor complication of diabetes, but not to the people who live with the pain it creates," reports WebMD. … Discover more about nighttime leg cramps and what you can do about them when you have diabetes. This can lead to many complications, including leg … Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Symptoms may last from several seconds up to several minutes. Low levels of certain minerals such as electrolytes and some medications, have also been cited as a cause of leg cramps. They can last from a few seconds up to a few minutes. Ongoing cramps or shooting pains could be a sign of diabetic neuropathy or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). certain medications can also cause leg cramps. One of the first courses of action is pain management through medication. Continue reading >>, Diabetes Leg Pain: 5 Tips to Find Relief Leg pain and cramps ruining your day or keeping you up? Some nutrie Unfortunately, the treatment options are limited since no one knows what causes leg cramps in the first place. This is the universal symbol for diabetes. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be referred to as a minor setback of diabetes but people suffering through it would disagree that it’s mi Nocturnal leg cramps are pains that occur in the legs during the night. It usually happens in the calf muscle. The information on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own physician or other health professional. These natural antioxidants can however, be overwhelmed by the high levels of free radical which may be produced by cells bathed in high levels of sugar. They occur most frequently in the … Click Here. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of having night leg cramps. While they can be problematic at any time of the day, muscle cramps often wake people up in the middle of the night. Nocturnal leg cramps are quite painful and cause the affected muscles to feel tight or knotted. Sadly, it is not unusual not to find a reason. At onset, they are moderately painful in intensity, but become progressively more painful within minutes, eventually making the patient immobile in his bed or chair for up to 3 h sometimes, before they spontaneously resolve. We’ve compiled a list of the five best ways to combat diabetes leg pain and cramping, in the hopes we can help provide relief when cramps next strike. Diabetes can lead to a variety of complications. They always happen at the wrong time, don’t they? These cramps can last for a few seconds or several minutes and may wake you up from a sound sleep. For more detailed instructions on how to do the calf stretch, including images, see the piece “Those Annoying Calf Cramps” on the AADE Blog. Osmotic diuresis is excessive urination due to the presence of osmotic substances within the kidney tubes. They concluded that muscle cramps are common diabetes and are associated with clinical and both small and large nerve fiber measures in type 1 diabetes, “suggesting that their origin and propagation might extend beyond the motor nerve,” wrote the study authors. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Limb pain is another common complication of the disease and signals a serious condition that, without treatment, can become debilitating. When they start, the patient usually takes two tablets of a magnesium–B6 complex (Magne B6®) 100/10 mg, in an attempt to abort them, after he read that magnesium supplementation can reduce muscle cramps. 2. Nocturnal leg cramps affect approximately 50-60% of adults and 7% of children. If you get nerve damage in your legs or in your arms, it’s referred to as diabetic peripheral neuropathy. All of these conditions can result in pain, cramping, achiness and swelling in the calves and the lower leg, ankle and feet. Some cramp and pain can require much stronger prescription medication which only they will be able to provide. (1), ( 2) There could be many reasons of leg cramps due to diabetes. You may also get sensations of tingling and numbness. Although the frequency of the cramps will vary from person to person, they are a great cause of discomfort and are naturally avoided at all costs. Nearly every adult age 50 and older will have them at least one time. Proper. A leg cramp or “charley horse” as we call them, is a sharp sudden tightening or sudden contraction of your muscle which can last for seconds or last for minutes. Muscle Cramps a Diabetes Complication? They can occur in any muscle but are most common in the legs, feet, and muscles that cross two joints, such as your calf muscle (the gastrocnemius, which crosses your knee and your ankle joints), quadriceps and hamstrings (the front and back of your thighs), and your feet. The cramps and pain from the legs can occur and result from nerve damage known as diabetic neuropathy. Continue reading >>, Go to: Background A 56-year-old middle-eastern man with an 18-year history of poorly controlled T2DM managed with a basal-bolus regimen of insulin glargine (Lantus®) and insulin aspart (Novorapid®), presented with severely painful acute-onset muscle cramps, occurring after his insulin injection(s) for the past 6 months. Yet, while the blue circle became the global symbol in 2007, it’s been figh... www.CardioSmart.org What is a blood sugar reading? Individuals with nerve damage, pregnancy complications, … The answer is that diabetes itself probably is not the cause of your fatigue, lower back and leg aches. Here, experts break down how to prevent and get rid of leg cramps. Diabetes develops when a person’s body does not make enough insulin to process sugars present in the blood. These cramps can last for a few seconds or several minutes and may wake you up from a sound sleep. We’ve all had leg cramps I’m sure at one time or another. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection This results from prolonged high blood sugar levels. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. You might want to do five minutes of low-impact exercise before going to bed. Limb pain is another common complication of the disease and signals a serious condition that, without treatment, can become debilitating. However, when blood sugar levels are high, excess glucose is excreted along with water and other salts which results in a reduced amount of electrolytes. Glucose is an osmotic substance; when the blood sugar levels rise high enough, the glucose starts excreting into the urine (glycosuria), and along with it, it carries sodium and water, predisposing to hyponatremia (5). Both men and women seem to be equally affected. Night leg cramps usually involve your calf muscles, although muscles in your feet or thighs might cramp as well. I have started having nightly leg cramps (in early morning). Dining out with diabetes Contrary to popular belief, a diabetes diagnosis doesn't mean you have to spend your days eatin... Diabetes may be contagious and spread through meat or blood transfusions, new research suggests. Both lack of exercise and overexertion can cause leg cramps at night. They tend to occur most often in the calves, but can also happen to your thighs and feet. Leg cramps are not just a sign of dehydration. The subject of debate: are these leg cramps caused by DM or not? Many hours of research have been spent on finding the perfect solution. It’s just a painful “surprise” when it happens. Continue reading >>, Most of the time, no apparent cause for night leg cramps can be identified. Several conditions, such as kidney failure and diabetic nerve damage, are known to cause night leg cramps. Leg cramps can occur because elevated blood sugar causes excessive urination and subsequent dehydration. Who gets nocturnal leg cramps? The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Continue reading >>. What Is A Good Reading For Type 2 Diabetes. Stroke warning signs may include: Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body Feeling confused Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason Nerve Damage People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. Answers (2) DZ. Cramps often develop near the end of unaccustomed intense or prolonged exercise or during the night following the activity. The subject of debate: are these leg cramps caused by DM or not? His diet is rich in fats, sugars, and processed foods, and low in fibers. A blood sugar reading shows how much sugar, or glucose, is in your bl... 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In general, pain is not a main feature of RLS, although some people describe their RLS as being painful. T The blankets and sheets should be loose around your legs and feet to avoid binding that may compromise your circulation. Continue reading >>, If you experience painful, involuntary contractions of your muscles, you’re having a muscle cramp. But one thing that can really bring it on is dehydration so I always drink plenty of water! Usually nighttime leg cramps happen to people 50 and older, but can occur in people of all ages. Your muscles could feel sore long after the cramps are gone. Here are five signs that may indicate a peripheral neuropathy complication of diabetes: 1. This condition can be a direct result of long-term high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in those who have diabetes. These are usually felt in the calves and can extend up to the feet. Usually nighttime leg cramps happen to people 50 and older, but can occur in people of all ages. This results from prolonged high blood sugar levels. When imbalances happen, through either high or low blood sugar, cramps can occur. Details about their muscle cramps were noted. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. When these nutrients fall to certain levels, you’re more likely to experience cramping, and it’s good to keep in mind that many people with diabetes already have low blood levels of magnesium. These include insulin, lipid (cholesterol) lowering agents, antihypertensives (blood pressure medications), oral contraceptives or beta-agonists. Sleep plays a role in regulating your blood sugar levels so missing out on deep sleep because of a leg cramp in the middle of the night is a major issue. It is important to catch nerve damage early before it leads to more serious complications. They can cause a person to wake up and occur at night due to prolonged hours of inactivity. Straight from the horse’s mouth: Yes, they can be! Can extended use of Metformin cause lower leg cramps at night? Sometimes the nerves are so damaged that "They might send signals of pain when there is nothing causing pain, or they might not send a pain signal even if something is harming you," reports Healthline. The body also has naturally occurring antioxidants, primarily enzymes such as the selenoproteins (proteins with the trace mineral selenium), sulfur-based proteins such as glutathione, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, beta carotenes and Vitamin E (which humans need to get through the diet) and others. Member T2 since 1-2007 / 7.4~9-09 / 8.1~1-10 / 9.6~6-11 Could Grilled On... Insulin pens: NovoPen Echo and NovoPen 5 (certain batches) risk of hyperglycaemia due to cartridge holder weakening whe... Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus (DM), is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly store and use sugar. This is a big problem -- because magnesium is a necessary nutrient vital for health. Nighttime leg cramps can be painful, making your muscles feel tight or knotted. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately: Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms Shortness of breath Nausea or lightheadedness Stroke If you suddenly experience any of the following stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Free radicals are naturally produced in the body as a result of normal reactions. Urgent: Assess Your Heart Attack Risk in Minutes. Discover more about nighttime leg cramps and what you can do about them when you have diabetes. Side effects from certain medications used to treat diabetes can result in muscle cramps. You have options for alleviating leg pain and cramps due to diabetic neuropathy. 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A higher likelihood of having night leg cramps at night being worse at night many people, some... Managing leg pain and cramps often wake people up in the legs during night...