Texas-based vascular surgeon warns against leg cramps at night, shares 2 underlying causes that can act as triggers

According to Dr Rema Malik, waking up regularly because of cramped legs is not simply sign of growing old, but may signify serious underlying vascular issues.

Leg cramps are a fairly common experience among us all. Also known as a “charley horse,” it is a sudden, involuntary, intense muscle spasm that is usually felt in the calf, foot or thigh.

Leg cramps at night are not always caused by dehydration or low potassium, shares Dr Malik. (Pexel)

The tendency to experience leg cramps increases with age. According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 60% of adults get leg cramps at night, compared to 40% children and teenagers.

The commonness of the phenomenon has brought the tendency to “walk it off” into the collective consciousness. However, Texas-based vascular surgeon Dr Rema Malik believes that the persistent nighttime cramps are not just signs of dehydration or low potassium, but rather classic distress signals from the vascular system.

Taking to Instagram on November 4, Dr Malik shared the two main vascular causes that she looks out for when it comes to leg cramps at night.

1. Venous Insufficiency (The "Pressure" Problem)

According to Dr Malik, this is the predominant vascular cause for leg cramps at night.

“After a long day of sitting or standing, blood pools in your lower legs. At night, that stagnant, waste-filled blood and fluid can irritate your nerves and muscles, triggering intense cramps and that awful ‘restless legs’ feeling,” she explained.

2. Peripheral Artery Disease (The "Flow" Problem)

Also known as “rest pain,” the peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an advanced case of clogged arteries, where the leg muscles are deprived of oxygen even while the body is at rest. The condition can threaten the limb itself.

Such leg cramps cannot be clubbed with the normal effects of ageing, cautioned Dr Malik. The risk significantly increases after the age of 40 for venous insufficiency, and after the age of 50 for PAD, she added.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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