About one-third of the U.S. population age 20 and older has hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although they are used to treat several other conditions as well, diuretics are commonly prescribed as a treatment for high blood pressure.

Creatine is a naturally occurring nutrient that can help rapidly restore energy during intense activity such as weightlifting or sprinting. Creatine also gathers a large amount of water and can cause imbalances in hydration and electrolytes, resulting in cramping.

Leg cramps are a common experience for many athletes, but they don't have to be part of your exercise regimen. In many cases, taking some simple preventive measures can eliminate cramps altogether. In the event they persist, however, you should consult your doctor to rule out an underlying medical disorder.

Leg cramps, also called charley horses, are involuntary muscle spasms that typically occur suddenly and for no apparent reason. They often happen at night and can be excruciatingly painful -- painful enough to wake you out of a sound sleep.

Your body needs the essential mineral iron for your red blood cells to function properly as well as to transport and store oxygen in your blood and muscles. Iron also plays an important role in producing adenosine triphosphate, which provides your body with energy.

Almost everyone experiences at least one painful leg cramp at some point in life, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Potassium, a mineral which, if you have a deficiency, could cause leg cramps, plays an important role in muscle contraction.

The exact cause of calf muscle cramps is still not certain, but several factors appear to trigger cramping. For example, if you're dehydrated, lack some crucial body salts, push yourself too hard or are simply a little older, you're more likely to suffer from a calf cramp.

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman’s life. However, being pregnant also means that your body will undergo some dramatic changes. Cramps are one of the many unpleasant physical symptoms commonly associated with pregnancy.

Muscle cramps can be excruciating and debilitating, often strike without warning. If you find your back tensing up and cramping after you stretch, it may be related to any number of underlying causes from dehydration to an insufficient supply of blood leading to muscle tissues.

Potassium is an electrolyte essential for muscle function. Too much or too little potassium in your bloodstream causes problems with the skeletal muscle that moves your body, the smooth muscle in your digestive system and arteries, and the cardiac muscle in your heart.

Caffeine may induce muscle twitching and cramps when you consume an excess amount of it. Other factors involved in muscle cramps include hot weather, loss of fluids or nutrients in the body and your body’s condition.

Squats are a whole-body workout. When you do them properly, they build nearly every muscle you have. Do them improperly and you run the risk of real pain or injury. Even if you're a squatting pro, you might still suffer severe leg cramps after squats. Cramps are a bit of a mystery.