what are foot cramps caused by?

Question

what can I do to get rid of them

Answer 1

Only remedy that comes to mind, that worked for me when my legs and feet cramped (when pregnant) was eating p-nut butter . . . it really did work! Something to do with boosting one's vitamin k level - so I was told. Good luck

Answer 2

Hi there!

Potassium is good for leg and foot cramps -especially if you are on a diet-. The one ones that are on the market are the ones witth which you only get 550 mg of a compound that is only PARTLY made up ofpotassium (i.e. potassium gluconate).

The highest actual amount of straight potassium per pill that can be sold in the USA without a prescription is 99 mg. 550 mg of potassium gluconate typically has about 90 mg of actual potassium.
Each of those pills is only about 3% of your daily need, so
you would need to be taking over 30 pills/day to get your
full 100%. Your body just won't notice it if you take a
single pill.

Fortunately, there is a lot of potassium in various foods,
and you can buy salt substitutes to really boost your
potassium. The "Lite Salt" is half regular salt (sodium
chloride) and half salt substitute (potassium chloride).
Most people don't have a problem with the taste, it's very
similar to regular salt. You can also get pure salt
substitute. While I have no problems with it, some people
complain of a slight bitter or metallic taste with the pure
salt substitute. But to compare - 1/4 teaspoon of pure salt
substitute has 610 mg potassium, more that the amount in six
of your pills. That's the amount that many people with
cramps start out trying, then adjust from there.

Along with potassium, calcium and magnesium are very helpful
too in dealing with leg and foot cramps.

Hope you get better!

Answer 3

If there’s one thing to be said about foot and leg cramps it’s simply that they’re not very subtle. They’ll really get your attention. So what causes the foot and leg to cramp? Let’s take a closer look.

Muscle cramps can be broken down into three main categories.

Ischemic

Metabolic

Biomechanical

Ischemia is the term used to describe a situation when there is insufficient circulation to tissue. When blood flow to a muscle is inadequate, the muscle will cramp. The pain that accompanies the cramp prompts us to walk or rub the cramp which in turn results in increased circulation. Ischemic cramping typically occurs at night and is called nocturnal claudication. Muscle cramping due to ischemia can also occur with exercise and is called intermittent claudication. Doctors will often ask patients with poor circulation to describe how far they can walk before the cramp and will use this as a measure of their peripheral vascular disease.

The most common metabolic deficiency that causes foot and leg cramping is low potassium. Hypokalemia (low potassium) can result from over exercise, use of diuretics (water pills) and a host of other reasons. Potassium is one of the two primary molecules that controls how our muscles work. In addition to potassium, sodium works to initiate muscle contraction and an imbalance or lack of these two salts will result in cramping

Biomechanics is the science of how the body moves. The biomechanics of walking and running is quite complex. The act of walking is a finely tuned symphony of brain messages and muscle contraction. If an imbalance is found in muscle groups and one group is forced to work too much, muscle cramping can occur. Muscle cramping happens often in the foot as evidenced by a cramp of the big toe or calf. As with ischemic cramping, we will be forced to walk off the cramp and in this case affecting the biomechanics. Biomechanical cramping can be helped with supportive shoes and arch supports.

Cramping can often be a sign of a more serious health problems and usually means that a trip to your family doctor may be in order. We recommend you visit your physician should you have any questions regarding cramping.
Products Recommended for Foot And Leg Cramp:

Biofreeze - 4 oz.
Arch Binder
Ankle Wrap - Elastic
Heel Ulcer Protector
Comfort Heel Pillow
Ankle Support - Elastic
Myfootshop Healing Foot Cream
ProSTEP Walking Cast
Warm Cream 1.8 oz.
ClearZal Fungal Nail Care System

Answer 4

The answerer that stated low levels of Potassium and Calcium in your diet is correct. You may take over the counter Calcium Supplements, but please be careful with over the counter Potassium Supplements, with regard to Potassium, the cramping could be from too much Potassium in your system or too little. Any supplements could hurt you. Please ask your doctor and have your blood tested for a Potassium level.

Answer 5

You need more Calcium, Potassium and possibly electrolytes... I take extra in the summer due to the heat... and drink orange juice and eat banana's, also gatorade..... At Wal Mart they have vitamins specifically for leg cramps but it is better for you to get it through your foods.....Be careful with Potassium, you can get too much of it and it can hurt you......

Answer 6

could be your shoes. Get some good shoes with good arch support. It could also be you are lacking potassium. get some vitamins or it could be a tendon or nerve prob if new shoes and vitamins dont help or work after a couple weeks see a dr

Answer 7

Low potassium levels in your system.Eat and drink things high in potassium such as bananas and Orange juice.

Answer 8

A lack of calcium and potassium

Answer 9

I HATE CRAMPS!!!
I get them in my feet, legs, even between the ribs. Hate em

Answer 10

it could be potassium and low levels of calcium because my partner has numbness in her feet and legs because of low calcium levels and the fact she had part of her thyroid removed