What is the best way to get rid of leg cramps at night?

Question

I am a woman early 50's

Answer 1

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Stretching only prolongs the symptoms. Be sure to take a daily dose of B Complex vitamins with calcium. Also, before bed, soak in a hot tub of water, as hot as you can stand it. While sitting in the water with your legs submerged, flex your toes several times, rest, and flex them again. You have to understand how muscles work in relation to the sodium-potassium pump. Potassium causes your muscles to contract - a "charlie horse" is the result of an increase of potassium over sodium. Sodium causes your muscles to relax, so an abundance of sodium over potassium would cause muscle weakness. B complex vitamins help regulate the balance of sodium and potassium in the muscles. Regular exercise in moderation will also help alleviate leg cramps at night. Sometimes the cramps are caused by muscle strain - especially if you have walked a lot more than you are normally used to. Also, you may notice that when you walk quickly, or walk uphill, that your calves start to "burn" - this is a build up of lactic acid in your muscles, and unless you walk this off, it can cause your calf muscles to become extremely sore. I suggest you take b complex with a calcium supplement because it is very easy to develop osteoporosis as time goes on. Sitting with your legs elevated while sitting in a recliner or on a couch will also help alleviate cramping.

Answer 2

Experiment with increasing your

1) Potassium
2) Magnesium
3) Calcium

It could be any one of those minerals that you need. It varies by the individual.

The banana idea would be enough to test the Potassium.

To test the magnesium, you might be fine taking a capsule or tablet (400mg), but if that loosens your stool too much, you'd need to switch to transdermal magnesium, which you can purchase at www.globallight.net.

Finding the best Calcium source for you is another individual matter. There are differing opinions on which form of calcium is best.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Have you had your potassium level checked lately? Leg cramps are sometimes associated with low potassium. Try eating a banana or drinking a glass of orange juice before you go to bed. They both have potassium and get into the body failry quickly.

Answer 4

Common problem with a generally simple solution.......

Each evening drink at least 6 ounces of Tonic water. There is quinine in tonic water and it has been used for 100s of years to treat your problem effectively and cheaply. You can even drink some throughout the day too. It works.

Answer 5

Do gentle stretching before you go to bed. Get a book by Peggy Brill don't know the title, but look in your local library I have tried this and it Works! Also take vitamin E and magnesium.

Answer 6

streach toes towards you then away from you when laying in bed before you go to sleep. About 5 times is all it takes. Tell your doctor about it! It could be a sighn of something. If you are taking heart/colestrol medicine tell doc TODAY!

Answer 7

Buy a good brand of calcium (GNC stores or similar retailer)- you may need to experiment to find the one that works for you. I take Calcium Lactate. Also magnesium and potassium.

Answer 8

For me it s taking 2 Magnesium supplement tablets STAT!! Works super fast and able to go right back to sleep.

Answer 9

Stretching exercises prior to bedtime will help and in many cases, and eliminate the problem as you continue to do so.

Answer 10

drink water, eat a banana (for the potassium) stretch, and massage it. i get these too =0(