I constantly am getting calf cramps, whether its in the middle of the night or during my swimming team's practice (happened this afternoon... and it still really hurts). I know people say to stretch, drink water, and eat bananas, and I do all 3. (well... not bananas because I think they are digusting. Any other foods I can eat to boost my potassium??) What can I do to stop this pain!!!!???
2007-02-26 13:35:54 · 8 answers · asked by broken_hearted21 2 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
I get them sometimes too., i mean I wake up at night, and I have a crater in my calves. Bananas really help. Or take potassium pills.
2007-02-26 13:39:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's possible that temperature changes are making your legs cramp. If my legs get cold during the night, I get cramps. Or if I am dehydrated, or need t he potassium, which is contained in milk, baked fish, raisins, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, bananas, and lima beans. Cramping can also occur after muscles are overworked and fatigued. An accupressure trick that I found sometimes works with muscle cramps is to squeeze the septum between the nostrils of your nose hard for several seconds immediately when a cramp starts. Holding pressure to that little knob you feel at the base of the septum will often cause the muscles of your legs to relax. You must hold the pressure steady for some time for it to work.
There is also an over the counter medication that will help with leg cramps. It is called Leg Cramps with Quinine and it is made by Hyland's from P&S Laboratories in Los Angeles, Ca. I buy it in the herbal section at Walmart. Just take 2 caplets when the cramps hit and the muscles should relax within just a few minutes. I keep this medication at the bedside and carry a bottle in my purse. The bottle is small and holds 40 caplets.
Doing stretching exercises also can help. After lying in one position in bed, try to move slowly to a different position. Point your toes toward your head then away from your head slowly and try to relax those muscles.
I hope this helps.
2007-02-26 13:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by dbarnes3 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cramps in the legs in middle of the night are caused by a calcium defficiency. A simple calcium supplement will take care of it. GNC health food store is a great place to find real quality calcium supps. Should take care of your swimming cramps as well.
2007-02-26 13:42:26 · answer #3 · answered by Elias 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try sleeping with your legs elevated and try and nice cool bath before bed to reduce any type of swelling make sure to intake lots if water and potassium. Good Luck.
2007-02-26 13:44:28 · answer #4 · answered by Mistical 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tomatoes also are rich in potassium. You can also buy potassium supplements. Keep stretching. Stretch both before and after physical activity. Electrolytes are also important.
2007-02-26 13:41:14 · answer #5 · answered by demandfreespeech 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This could be because of muscle fatigue or dehydration. Try exercising all parts of your body. It also sometimes is due to disuse atrophy. Try out some home remedies. You can also look for information in the web that give you home remedies. I found this website very useful. http://aches.in/cramps.html
2007-02-26 23:14:08 · answer #6 · answered by Daphne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
milk
cramps are also caused by a calcium deficiency
also ten minutes before swimming,take an alka-seltzer
it is a body builder trick before competition
2007-02-26 13:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by knox_mountain_guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DRINK SO MUCH WATER UNTIL YOU ARE SICK OF DRINKING IT!
2007-02-26 13:42:29 · answer #8 · answered by chelsea 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋