if i often get calf muscle cramps, what's the problem?

Question

when i'm in bed, and i stretch my legs, i get the cramp, n its really painful and i dont kno why it happens and what to do to stop it from happening more often. i dont play sport or anythin. i walk everyday.

ok. im 16 and my mum has it, my aunty has it, my mums aunty has it. i usually get it when im in bed. i drink a glass of milk evryday.

Answer 1

I'm sorry that I don't know a medical reason for why you are getting muscle cramps, but maybe my personal experience can help a little bit. I used to run everyday. If I wasn't careful I could get calf cramps, shin splints, all kinds of things you don't want. Generally when I did these things it helped:

I found that if I at least stretched between workouts it was okay.
Also don't stretch cold muscles.
For convenience I usually did it after jogging for about 10 minutes. Right before I worked out, but when I was warmed up. Maybe for you walk for a bit, but stretch before you do anything 'brisk'.
Stretch gently. Don't bounce or strain too much. Gradually it will get easier.
This is the worst part, but it really helped. If ever I do get some cramp, I will massage it out. It usually hurts a lot, especially in one specific spot. I work on it until it seems to kind of 'spread out'. Massage by pressing, but I mostly kind of pinch, if that makes sense.

The kinds of stretches seem pretty typical.
Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you, reach for your toes but don't lock your knees.

Do the same as above but with your feet a couple of feet apart, reach for one foot at a time.

(Standing.) If you have a curb nearby, step on the curb, with your heals hanging off, let your heels go towards ground.

(Standing.) If you have a fence or wall, put your toes pointing up (1 foot at a time) on the fence, heel on the ground, press gently.

There are certainly fitness books and magazines that could give you many more good stretches (like your upper thighs and even arms), but these seemed to help my calves.

Good luck, I hope you sleep better.

Answer 2

If you're young they call them growing pains???? My thoughts are you aren't getting enough calcium in your diet and if you are you aren't absorbing it. 1,200 mg. is the amount for an adult and absorption can be lessened if you don't get at least 15-20 minutes of sun a day or if you don't get enough vitamin D. So, a Dr. may be able to tell you what the problem is. I know that calcium deficiency causes muscle cramps and I'm sure other things can also. Good Luck.

Answer 3

This happens to me, and it is so painful! Sometimes it happens in my sleep and I wake up right before the onset of the pain, as if I know it is about to happen. I find grabbing the top of my toes and stretching out my foot , as well as setretching my leg out with it helps alot and gets rid of the pain instantly. don't know how to prevent it or what causes it. I also have restless legs at times and i think it may be connected to that

Answer 4

Whatever you do, stand up as soon as it wakes you up. It is going to hurt, but it gets the blood flowing again. Then massage it, which will also hurt, but get the blood flowing to the affected area again.

I am guessing you are in your teens to early 20's. It is a common thing to happen.

Answer 5

Drink more water...
put a bar of soap under your sheets at the foot of your bed
when you get a cramp, pinch the skin under your nose REALLY hard (don't ask me why that works, I saw it on Johnny Carson)

Answer 6

my aunts SWEAR by a bar of soap as a CURE to leg cramps.

it's odd, but they put a bar of soap under their fitted sheet down by their legs and says it works like a CHARM. hardly ever any leg cramps.

dont know why it works, but they say it does! I think they use Irish Springs or Ivory, but ANY typical soap will do! They had them BADLY every night.. now, barely any at all ever!

Answer 7

You might be low on potassium, try eating bananas that should help alot I use to have the same problem

Answer 8

Well, it could be a few different things. It could just be a strained calf muscle. Or you could be dehydrated...or you could be low on certain electrolytes like potassium.

Answer 9

most definately it has nothin to do with ur bones
i have the same problem so bad that i cry u have to massage them out i got told my doc it was my back
if ur back is out then ur more likely to get calf cramps

Answer 10

Nothing to do with soap. It happens to everyone. Many times, change of weather can provoke this to occur.