Foot cramps happen when muscle fibers or muscles in the feet contract involuntarily. People with this condition often feel their muscles knot up or tighten suddenly for several seconds to minutes in each episode. When these symptoms occur at night, you might wake up and experience pain. In this article, we’ll take a look at the causes, treatment, and how to prevent foot cramps at night.
Causes of Foot Cramps at Night
Dehydration
Dehydration is a possible cause of foot cramps at night. When the body loses too much water through vomiting or sweating, it might cause an imbalance of important electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These substances play an important role in muscle functions. Therefore, muscle spasms and cramps would happen when you are sleeping. To reduce the risk, you need to drink at least two liters of water on a daily basis. The exact amount can vary, depending on your gender, age, and physical condition. [1]
