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Leg cramps

Lifestyle modifications

Lifestyle related risk factors 

  • Physical inactivity (2)

  • Prolonged sitting (2)

  • Excessive sweating without salt replacement (2)

  • Alcoholism (2)

  • Iron deficiency anemia (2)


Prevention 

  • Sleep with the foot in dorsal flexion (1)

  • Daily stretching exercises (2)

  • For sedentary people: Bike on a stationary bike before bedtime (2)

  • Avoiding dehydration (2)

  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine (2)

  • Vitamin B complex (2)

  • Vitamin E (800 E) before bed (2)


OTHER

  • Stretching, active or passive, of the affected muscle will in most cases stop the cramp (1)

  • Walking (2)

  • A hot shower (2)

  • Ice massage (2)

References

Resources

Evidence Pyramid

EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION

Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD

Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE

Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in plain font

Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE

Figure: Evidence pyramid

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