Managing muscle cramps when you have kidney disease

Muscle cramps happen when a muscle contracts suddenly, causing discomfort. Muscle cramps can be caused by imbalances in fluid or electrolytes, or blood fluid issues.

Preventing muscle cramps

• Do light stretching throughout the day.
• Move throughout the day to reduce how much time you spend sitting. Short pauses from being sedentary are sometimes called movement breaks.
• Maintain appropriate fluid levels as directed by your healthcare team.
• Avoid exercising or being active for long periods of time in extreme heat.
• Limit how much alcohol and caffeine you have.
• Keep your bed covers loose at the foot of your bed.

If you experience leg cramping overnight, adding some light movement or stretching before bed may help manage your symptoms and give you a more restful sleep.

What you can do at home when you have muscle cramps

• Massage and stretch the cramping muscle.
• Apply heat to the tight muscle. This could include using a heated towel, an electric heating pad, or taking a warm shower or bath. To avoid being burned, check the temperature of the heating device or water before putting it on your muscle by using a part of your body that isn’t impacted by the cramp, like your elbow.
• If you can, stand and walk slowly to relax the muscle. Weight-bearing movement can help with cramping. If it’s nighttime, turn on a light before and while walking to reduce the risk of falling.

What you can do when you have muscle cramps during dialysis

• Try doing low-intensity exercise during dialysis. Ask your kinesiologist or exercise therapist about cycling while on dialysis.
• Try to avoid gaining too much fluid between dialysis runs. Speak to your dialysis team for ways to reduce your fluid gain between dialysis runs.

Speak to your kinesiologist or exercise therapist if you have other questions.

To see this information online and learn more, visit

MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_muscle_cramps_kidney_disease_inst.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: January 08, 2026

Author: Alberta Kidney Care

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.