See a doctor if you notice:

• It occurs frequently or if the frequency keeps increasing
• It causes severe pain
• Interferes in daily activities or work repeatedly
• It causes leg swelling, redness or skin changes
• It causes muscle weakness
• It does not improve with self- care

See a doctor immediately if you notice:

• Cramps in the arms or trunk
• Muscle twitching
• Alcoholism
• Cramps occur after loss of body fluids (dehydration) or use of diuretics
• Loss of sensation or pain

Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:

• Stretching the affected muscle (eg. for a calf cramp, use a hand to pull the foot and toes upward)
• Light massage

Preventive measures-

• Not exercising immediately after eating
• Gently stretching the muscles before exercising or going to bed
• Drinking plenty of fluids (especially beverages that contain potassium) after exercise
• Avoiding caffeine
• Not smoking
• Avoiding stimulant medicines, such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (OTC cold and flu medicines)