Being plagued with agonizing leg cramps can be quite an ordeal. The causes of leg cramps can range from muscle perplexities to unknown unrecognizable causes. Whatever the leg cramp cause may be, leg cramps can be mild to severely excruciating. Leg cramps are usually the result of an involuntary muscle contraction which fails to release itself. Here are the top causes of leg cramps that could possible lead to that involuntary muscle contraction which results in painful leg cramps.

Diet Issues

Lack of Calcium and Vitamin D can cause leg cramps. Hence, a diet that consists of a substantial amount of Calcium and Vitamin D can prevent leg cramps effectively. Our body needs Vitamin D to absorb the Calcium.  If your diet provides you with measurable amounts of Calcium and little Vitamin D, you may still experience calcium deficiencies. Moreover, the diet we consume consists of items such as caffeine and sugar which can hinder the absorption of calcium and lead to calcium deficiencies.
Furthermore, low levels of potassium, magnesium and sodium can also contribute to the persistence of leg cramps. In order to prevent leg cramps, this mineral deficiency related to diet must be eliminated, by consuming a diet which consists of substantial levels of each of these minerals. The adequacy of these minerals in the diet becomes more important and relevant for those individuals who follow an active lifestyle and exercise regularly. The minerals you need in your diet are;

• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Sodium

Pregnancy

As mentioned above, a deficiency of minerals is one of the causes of leg cramps. During pregnancy, there is a higher risk of mineral deficiency as pregnant women require a greater amount of nutrients. Due to this, pregnant women may experience leg cramps.

 Health Issues

There are several diseases and health related conditions which may cause leg cramps. The following conditions are some of the causes of leg cramps;

• Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis inhibits the circulation of blood to the muscles and consequently leads to an oxygen deprivation for these muscles which can culminate into leg cramps.
• Diseases: Diseases such as kidney disease, multiple sclerosis and thyroid disease may all contribute to the development of leg cramps.
• Bed Rest: Prolonged bed rest which is sometimes deemed essential to recover from some health related issue or a disease can lead to the further issue of blood clots, which are a common cause of leg cramps.
• Soft Tissue Damage/Bone Infections: Another health related issue which can lead to leg muscle cramps is that of soft tissue damage and bone infections which can spread from the affected area onto the surrounding areas, including the leg muscles.
• Miscellaneous: Another set of reasons documented as per research for leg cramps are that of alcoholism, smoking and diabetes which have been established to cause leg cramps that are recurrent in nature.

Injuries

Leg muscles that are overworked, tired or torn are one of the most prominent and common causes of leg cramps. Injuries related to movement, factures caused due to stress to adjacent bones and inflammations subjected to tendons of bones adjacent are all causes of leg cramps. Furthermore, one of the most common injuries experienced by sportsmen and athletes is leg cramps. However, injuries do not always occur as a result of over-activity. Inactivity can also lead to injuries causing leg muscle cramps as that requires for you to exert too much pressure n one part for extended periods of time.

Certain Medications

Certain medicine may trigger leg cramps. These include; birth control pills, antipsychotics, diuretics, statins and steroids.

PMS Symptoms

Leg cramps are a common symptom of menstruation experienced by women.  Remaining hydrated and ensuring your diet consists of minerals will probably help treat the symptoms of PMS.