Maureen Nash, via email. This is not an uncommon condition. Some 40 per cent of adults experience night cramps, resulting in sleep disturbance and contributing to poor health — and they are increasingly frequent with age. It’s often secondary to another problem, such as flat feet or a sedentary lifestyle. Neurological conditions including Parkinson’s, some muscle diseases, diabetes, alcoholism, and an underactive thyroid can also trigger muscle cramps. But in many cases, it’s a side-effect of medications, such as those given for asthma. Some 40 per cent of adults experience night cramps, resulting in sleep disturbance and contributing to poor health — and they are increasingly frequent with age [File photo]