Case history
Case history #1
A 75-year-old, previously healthy man presents with a chief complaint of painful muscle cramps waking him from sleep at least 2 nights per week. Cramps are generally limited to his right calf muscle, but on occasion the muscles of his right foot can be similarly affected. The cramps generally last about 5 minutes. He has found nothing that can treat or prevent them. He has been drinking a glass of tonic water just before bedtime on the advice of a friend.
Case history #2
A 25-year-old woman presents complaining of frequent episodes of painful cramps in her legs, waking her most nights. She is 32 weeks pregnant in her first pregnancy and has developed cramp symptoms only during the past 2 weeks. There is no past medical or surgical history of note. She is otherwise well but is feeling generally tired. Physical examination is normal. Fundal height is consistent with gestational age, and fetal heart rate is within normal limits. Neuromuscular examination is normal.
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