Nocturnal leg cramps occurs commonly as we age and during pregnancy. The reason for muscle cramps is not very well known yet but they are very common. Some people experience muscle cramps on a weekly or daily basis. Leg cramps affect the muscles in the calf or along the sole of the foot. The cramp usually goes away within a few minutes.
Tight muscles and inactivity usually cause muscle cramps during the night. You can help relieve the pain by grasping your toes, pulling toward you, stretching your calf muscles but the best preventative treatment is regular stretching and exercise. If you suffer from regular nocturnal leg cramps, you should stretch your calves and affected areas as part of your bedtime ritual.
You can do runner's stretch that involves leaning against the wall and stepping forward, leaving the back foot flat on the floor. You can also do stair stretch by standing on the edge of a step and dropping your heels while holding on to the banister. For both stretches, you must hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds.
Pharmacologic treatment
Quinine is one of the few treatments shown to help reduce nocturnal cramps. The way in which quinine helps to reduce frequency and severity of cramps is not known either and there have been studies to try to assess the efficacy of the drug. Quinine is found in low concentrations in tonic water (one-tenth of prescription dose). Drinking eight to 16 ounces at night can be a simple remedy.
Other treatments that may be helpful but have not been studied extensively include the use of muscle relaxant, orphenadrine (Norflex), anti-seizure medicine - gabapentin (Neurontin), blood pressure medicine - verapamil, and Vitamin B complex.
Resources:
http://www.healthcaresouth.com/pages/askthedoctor/Nocturnallegcramps.htm
http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?ID=102
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