What are the Possible Causes of Leg Cramps?

What Causes Leg Cramps?

Leg cramps can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'needs attention' to 'serious'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose leg cramps, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "leg cramps" as a symptom. Here are two possibilities:

Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia
Hyponatremia / Salt Intake Need

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

hot flashes between period

fatigue for over 3 months

moderate morning stiffness

unsound sleep

sleeping less than necessary

afternoon coffee/sugar craving

occasional 'chills'

numb/burning/tingling extremities

multiple swollen cervical nodes

minor pain in cold/cool/damp weather

moderate alcohol consumption

difficulty falling asleep

... and more than 30 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of leg cramps:

Cause	Probability	Status
Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia	97%	Confirm
Hyponatremia / Salt Intake Need	67%	Possible

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate muscle cramps/twitching or severe muscle cramps/twitching, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Do you suffer from leg or foot cramping that is not caused by excessive exercise?

Possible responses:

→ Never had them / don't know
→ Minor cramping episodes in the past only
→ Major cramping episodes in the past only
→ Foot/leg cramping is currently a minor problem
→ Foot/leg cramping is currently a major problem

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate history of leg/foot cramping, leg/foot cramps or severe leg/foot cramps, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium Level)

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