MAIN Health Pain Leg Pain & Cramping

Everyone experiences leg pain at one time or another. The most common causes include simple muscle fatigue, or from standing in one spot for too long.

Other causes may arise as a side effect of medications such as statin drugs, or reduced minerals in the body such as diuretics.

Nocturnal or night cramps in the legs becomes most common as we age, as well as being a typical symptom during pregnancy. Pain in leg joints may also arise from gout, arthritis, or nerve inflammation brought about by sciatica.

Chronic numbness or tingling may also be a symptom of decreased circulation commonly suffered by diabetics, smokers and alcoholics.

More serious causes of leg pain may include varicose veins, atherosclerosis, blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) bone infection or bone tumors.

Common Leg Pain Treatment

Typically, everyday leg pain can be remedied with extra rest, by elevating your legs or gentle massage to stretch cramping muscles. To ease swelling, ice packs are often recommended along with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to ease pain and swelling.

Joggers may experience leg cramping from overexertion and are often advised to hydrate with sports drinks containing minerals such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium which at reduced levels may be the cause of common "charley horse" pain.

If simple home care remedies are not effective — or if you experience fever, severe pain, skin paleness or discoloration — see your doctor.

More about leg pain and cramping around the Web:

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Leg pain - Overview of common causes and conditions related to knee pain, with tips on do-it-yourself home care & prevention, along with advice on when to see a doctor.

Muscle Cramp Causes, Cramping Prevention and Treatment Information - A complete guide from MedicineNet.com, with an overview of causes including medication side effects, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and circulation problems, plus more on treatment and prevention of leg spasms.

Causes of leg pain and foot pain - Facts & information on leg & foot pain related to back injuries, including overviews of herniated disc, spinal stenosis, sciatica.

Symptom: Leg pain - CureResearch.com - Extensive information on the dozens of causes with related information on associated injuries, conditions and diseases that may lead to leg pain and discomfort.

also see in Pain -> Alternative pain therapy | Back pain

Foot pain | Gout | Knee pain | Sciatica

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.