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Case Reports
. 2014 Jun 15;10(6):691-2.
doi: 10.5664/jcsm.3806.

CPAP treats muscle cramps in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Andrew J Westwood  1 , Andrew R Spector  2 , Sanford H Auerbach  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

CPAP treats muscle cramps in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Andrew J Westwood et al. J Clin Sleep Med. .

Abstract

We describe a case series of 4 patients with varying degrees of obstructive sleep apnea who incidentally had a history of nocturnal leg cramps. None of the patients had periodic limb movements during the study and denied symptoms consistent with restless legs syndrome. In 3 of the 4 patients, nocturnal leg cramps resolved with CPAP treatment for OSA, while the fourth patient noted near-resolution of cramping after starting CPAP. In patients presenting with muscle cramps, obstructive sleep apnea should be considered.

Keywords: CPAP; leg cramps; spasms.

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