Risk factors

Factors that might increase your risk of muscle cramps include:

• Age. Older people lose muscle mass, so the remaining muscle can get overstressed more easily.
• Dehydration. Athletes who become fatigued and dehydrated while participating in warm-weather sports frequently develop muscle cramps.
• Pregnancy. Muscle cramps also are common during pregnancy.
• Medical conditions. You might be at higher risk of muscle cramps if you have diabetes, or nerve, liver or thyroid disorders.