Leg Cramps
Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear. Start Live Chat Live Chat available weekdays, 7:00 am - 6:30 pm CT Call us at 1-800-227-2345 Available any time of day or night Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include: For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. Managing Cancer Care Cancer and its treatment may cause leg cramps and other types of muscle cramps. Cramps or spasms are painful tightening of the muscles in the leg, ankle, or foot. Some causes of leg cramps in people who have cancer include: Your cancer care team can help create a plan to manage leg cramps. They might want you to take mineral and vitamin supplements if there is a problem with your electrolytes on a lab test. They might also prescribe a muscle relaxant if your leg cramps are severe or frequent. Your cancer care team may also suggest that you do stretching exercises or gentle exercise if you have trouble with leg cramps at night. Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Palliative care. Version 2.2023. Accessed November 29, 2023 at https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1454. Winkelman J. Nocturnal leg cramps. In: Post TW, ed. Uptodate. Uptodate; 2022. Nocturnal leg cramps - UpToDate Last Revised: March 29, 2024 American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society. Organize your cancer journey with the American Cancer Society Cancer Care Toolkit. A helpful tool for people who are caring for someone with cancer. View the complete guide here. Help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.