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leg cramps

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Q: leg cramps?
please advise me i suffer from terrible leg cramps in my foot calfs and thighs not just at night but also through the day.
Today I have experienced cramp in my arm also.
What do you think this could be.
Any tips for relief.

A: It is generally caused by an imbalance in electrolytes: magnesium, calcium, potassium or sodium, for instance. Sweating, diuretics and extreme sports can cause an imbalance in electrolytes resulting in cramping in the leg muscles.
Cramps, in particular leg cramps in non-athletes is often associated with a magnesium deficiency in particular.
Foods rich in magnesium: leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds and pulses. But because you are having persistent cramps I would opt for a magnesium/calcium combination tablet and take one twice a day until the problem stops and then continue with one a day or 1/2 tablet a day for maintenance. The reason I have suggested a magnesium/calcium combination tablet is because these minerals are needed in proportion (2:1 calcium:magnesium) and calcium can also help with cramps. Calcium/magnesium citrate is more easily absorbed but you can try any formulation really – even the naturally occuring dolomite.

Quinine as a source of magnesium has been traditionally recommended for leg cramps but as a drug it has health risks so I would avoid quinine. In the US, the FDA now specifically discourages using quinine for leg cramps because they say the risks outweigh any benefit based on newly released data. Quinine can cause serious cardiac arrhythmias, a drop in platelet counts (problems with blood clotting), serious interactions with other medications, and allergic reactions. Though the risk is small:

http://www.greenfieldhealth.com/Portal/Health+Matters/Health+Matters+February+2007/default.aspx

To ensure you get enough potassium and sodium use a Low salt substitute that is a mix of both potassium and sodium. But if you are on heart medication, have diabetes or are on diuretics or have a medical condition requiring meds then talk to a doctor or pharmacist first. foods rich in potassium include: bananas, apples/apple juice, watermelon, apricots, cantaloupe melon, grapefruit/grapefruit juice and parsley.

Magnesium and leg cramps:

http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Muscle%20cramps%20-%20researchDiet&Lifestyle.htm

An example of a caclium/magnesium combination tablet and a customer review for leg cramps:

http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=72

Hope this helps.
Best wishes.

Q: Leg Cramps?
For the past month, I have been getting random bouts of leg cramps in my one calf. It usually happens while my leg is bent at the knee for long periods of time (sleeping, school, etc.) and when I try to extend the leg, I cannot move it without excrusiating pain. It looks no different, but the pain lasts for at least an hour and a half. I also exercise for about two hours a day, so my calfs are in really good condition. Why is this happening? Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

A: How do you stretch a banana?

It may be a low potassium level, and you can try potassium supplements, but you have to be careful. An excess of potassium can be fatal.

My girlfriend had a similar problem and her doctor recommended quinine water. You can also get quinine pills if the water is not to your liking. You’ll need a prescription for the pills; the water you can buy in most pharmacies and even grocery stores that have a large selection or liquor stores – it’s used with gin in drinks. The doctor also told her it does not work for everyone, and it did not work for my wife’s restless leg syndrome which it also used for.

When you stand up, be sure to put your weight on your foot on the leg that cramps, with your foot flat on the floor. That may minimize the cramp and thus the pain.

You should consult a doctor in any event, since there are some aother possibilities.

Q: Leg cramps?
Does anyone have any home remedies for leg spasms and cramps? I am 35 weeks pregnant and I wake up in the middle of the night with severe charlie horses in my calves. I also get hip pains at night.

A: I did to. Don’t stretch with your toes pointed. When got them i just straightened my leg, pulled my foot back as far as i could and rubbed where it hurt. This may not help much but it’s what i did

Q: leg Cramps?
Im 38 weeks pregnant and almost every night I get really bad leg cramps to the point that I have to get up and walk around in order for them to subside. What causes this and is there anything I can do to prevent it…

A: On your next visit explain this to your doctor and see what he/she recommends, due to your pregnancy. If that appt. has come & gone, give them a call and ask to speak with the nurse.

Congrats!

Q: LEG cramps!?
I have FAIRLY bad leg cramps alot
mostly in the upper area
It hurts bad and it keeps me up at night? it seems it would start in one leg and work its way to the other and then they both ache.. its like an annoying dull pain and wont go away
ANY idea on what could be causing it?

A: Advil is the answer to all problems :)

Q: LEG CRAMPS????????????????/?
I don’t know exactly if it’s a leg cramp that I’m having…I’m 14 and, it happens often, when I bend my right leg, below my knee starts hurting. I straighten it out and I can barely feel the pain, but when I bend it again, it hurts. Plus, the pain travels down my leg to my ankel and foot. But above my knee, I can’t feel any pain.
What is it?

A: It sounds like growing pains to me. I use to get terribly painful growing pains in the same areas of my legs when I was around the age of 12 to 13 and the pain always occurred at night.

Q: How can you prevent night leg cramps from occurring?
Sometimes while sleeping at night I get very bad cramps in my legs that causes me to awake screaming. What causes this and how can I prevent it? What is actually going on inside my leg? It feels like a large foreign item in my leg turning around and around, slowly moving and knotting up. The pain usually last for a minute or more. I usually just squeeze my leg and scream until it stops. When it finally subside, it leave me exhaulted.

A: Leg cramps are the first place your body targets when you are dehydrated. Drink lots of water! I recommend purified water and Mineral Water mixed 50/50. The Mineral Water is going to put back into the muscles the minerals they are losing on a daily basis. You must drink beyond your thirst to get the benefits of hydration.

I suggest that adults and children drink 40 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight every day. Realize that exercise, ambient temperature, and state of health affect the water needs of your body.

In the evening take a hot bath with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts and soak for 30 minutes. Afterwards, if you have something shaped like a cylinder and made out of hard material (think of a large rolling pin you would use for pizza dough or something) place it under your leg and push down and roll it back and forth…this should massage the spasms out of your leg. It will hurt while you’re doing it, but more so the type of pain that actually feels good, in the long run. Afterwards massage an analgesic cream into the area. You will start feeling better very quickly.

take 500mg of calcium and magnesium before bedtime. This will also help stop the leg cramps.

Q: What can I do for leg cramps at night and leg pain throughout the day?
I started having terrible leg cramps (calf of leg) at night this week, and then during the day my legs hurt, just ache from pain, I am not a bananna eater so if this is a potasium deficiency, what else can I do? Is there anything over the counter to help? I need to start sleeping at night.

A: My husband get leg cramps. He started taking Potassium pills and he no longer gets the cramps. I know someone that takes Vitamin E for the cramps also.

Q: What causes leg cramps and twitching in early pregnancy?
I’m a little over 5 weeks pregnant and I keep getting leg cramps. Is there a reason for this? Am I lacking protein or am I not staying hydrated enough?

A: There are two common reasons for leg cramping. First, hydration! Just like you thought! Keep drinking the liquids and your leg cramps should go away. Second, potassium! Many women (especially when pregnant) lack this. Try eating a banana each day (or something else high in potassium) if the hydration doesn’t work for you. When pregnant, one of my friends asked her doctor because her leg cramping wouldn’t stop. She ended up eating 3 bananas each day just to avoid the leg cramps! Best wishes!!!

Q: What to do about leg cramps in my donkey?
My donkey gets bad cramps in his back legs often. He usually holds his leg out straight behind him for a while. It is pitiful to see him try to walk.

A: Well, in humans, leg cramps respond to taking over the counter magnesium. I have taken it for years. I would call a veterinarian’s office and ask what to give him and how much.

Q: What causes leg cramps and how can you prevent/cure them?
My partner gets excruciating leg cramps, he may only get one every 6 to 12 months, but when he gets them, they’re terrible. He shot out of bed with pain last night, and when i felt his leg his muscle was half the size it usually is, it completely seized up!

What causes them? How can you prevent them? How do you get rid of them?

A: I find I get them if I don’t drink enough water for a couple days. Make sure he is drinking a good 64 ounces of water a day. Soda doesn’t count as water :) Also, I eat a banana a day to help my potassium level since leg cramps could be caused by that as well. Since I started making sure of my daily water intake and I eat the banana, I have been fine.

Q: Can leg cramps continues hours or days after a workout?
When i go running, my leg has a horrible pain. I thought it was leg cramps but a lot of people say that leg cramps are supposed to stop when your exercise stops. My pain continues for hours or days even if i don’t exercise again. Can this still be leg cramps?

A: Yes, definitely. Make sure you stretch before workouts and you want to make sure you take plenty of potassium and a little glucosamine for the joints wouldn’t hurt either.

Q: How to reduce the attack of leg or chest cramps?
My leg cramps can come as often as 3 or 4 times per week. The duration can last for as long as 10 mins. I’m not doin serious hard work out or anything that promotes the attack. And lately, chest cramps starts to occur. Is there a problem with my health?

A: The other suggestions given for supplements were good. I suggest you try a Jacuzzi several times a week to stop the muscle spasms. Also a qualified acupressure therapist could help you enormously to where you don’t suffer from cramps or muscle spasms very often.

Q: What is an over the counter treatment for constant leg cramps?
I have constant leg cramps/pain while reclining or sitting tests have ruled out cardiovascular or diabetes issues. I read where if you mix honey, apple cider vinegar and calcium lactate with half a glass of water and drink it daily that that helps. Has anyone done that or know of any other otc remedies?

A: You sound like you are calcium/magnesium deficient. If it was me I would take 2400 mg of calcium and 1000 mg of magnesium daily (get a high quality calcium with Vitamin D). The calcium I buy comes in 600 mg caplets and I take 2 in morning with breakfast and 2 at night before bed. The magnesium I take comes in 250mg doses and so I take 2 in morning with breakfast and 2 at night with dinner.
You might try to do some sunbathing in early morning (7-10am) or late evening (6-8pm) so you are getting plenty of natural vitamin D. Avoid the direct daytime sun as it is too intense. Bathe for 15-120 minutes with as much skin exposed as possible and don’t stay out long enough to burn!
You want to buy raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (such as Bragg’s, sold in health food stores) that contain the “mother”. The vinegar sold at the store such as Heinz has been pasteurized and all the live enzymes have been killed.
You are better served to buy raw, unpasteurized honey from a local bee keeper, again, it has live enzymes.
Hope this all helps!

Q: What causes leg cramps in the middle of the night?
There are times that the horrible pain of leg cramps wakes me up. What causes them and what can I do to help me relieve the pain? Thanks!

A: Standing on cement floors all day can do it try to get a think rubber mat if you must stand.

Take vitamin E and you may have less Charley Horses.

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