ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, PEOPLE WHO SIT OR STAND FOR LONG HOURS DURING THE DAY ARE ALSO AT RISK. PROLONGED INACTIVITY EASES CIRCULATION IN THE LEGS, WHICH CAN CAUSE MUSCLES TO THICKEN AND CRAMP DURING REST. OFFICE WORKERS, RETAIL EMPLOYEES, OR INDIVIDUALS WITH JOBS REQUIRING THEM TO STAND STILL FOR LONG SHIFTS FREQUENTLY REPORT NIGHTTIME CRAMPS. LACK OF REGULAR STRETCHING OR MOVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY ONLY MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE.
5. INDIVIDUALS WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS
CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF NIGHT CRAMPS. PEOPLE WITH DIABETES, PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE, OR OTHER CIRCULATION PROBLEMS OFTEN UNDERGO CRAMPS DUE TO RESTRICTED BLOOD FLOW.
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS THAT AFFECT HOW NERVES COMMUNICATE WITH MUSCLES CAN ALSO SPARK SPASMS. EVEN THYROID IMBALANCES OR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE MAY PLAY A ROLE, SINCE THEY CAN DISRUPT ELECTROLYTE LEVELS IN THE BODY. IN MANY OF THESE CASES, CRAMPS ARE NOT JUST AN ISOLATED ISSUE BUT A SYMPTOM OF SOMETHING LARGER THAT REQUIRES MEDICAL ATTENTION.
6. MEDICATION USERS
Continued on next page:
