Leg cramps...help?

Question

I get very painful cramps in my legs and feet at night.
Toes, calves, and shins...what causes them, and are there things I can do to reduce the frequency and severity of them?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Oh dear!

I've had that problem too. Try eating bananas, or taking potassium and B-complex vitamins. Another thing I've found that seems to help is milk thistle capsules, available in health stores. But make sure you buy from a reputable supplier.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I used to get them ALOT (like every night) when I was a kid. My mom took me to the doctor and he said I wasn't getting enough potassium, and I can't stand bananas, so mom got those OTC potassium pills. Seemed to help. I've since stopped taking the potassium pills, and still get them about once a month (I'm 27 now, and when I wake up in the middle of the night it hurts like a *****.) I've noticed lately that if I don't sleep on my back I don't get them as often. I toss and turn and kick alot when I'm sleeping, and when I was sleeping on the back, my legs would get caught up in my sheets/blankets. My muscles were trying to move my legs, but because of all the blankets (especially in the winter time) my legs were never moving, which caused the cramps.

Also, you could try drinking more water. I have an uncle who, whenever he drinks alot of pop, he gets killer cramps. I really kind of think it's different from person to person.

Answer 3

There are two basic causes of cramping. One is inadequate oxygenation of muscle, and the other is lack of water or salt. Cramps from poor oxygenation can be improved by rapid deep breathing, as well as stretching the muscle. Cramps from lack of salt and water can be treated by stretching the muscle, and of course drinking water and increasing salt intake. Pounding on the muscle can increase soreness.

Muscle cramps in particular can be treated by applying a soft massage on the cramped muscle, stretching the muscle and applying heat or cold. Heat improves superficial blood circulation and makes muscles more flexible, so some people find that heat is more soothing for muscle cramps than applying ice.

Electrolyte disturbance may cause cramping and tetany of muscles, particularly hypokalemia (a low level of potassium) and hypocalcemia (a low level of calcium). This problem can be solved by drinking electrolyte enhanced fluids, after strenuous muscle activity, and supplementing one's daily diet with a multi-vitamin, which contains potassium and calcium.

Muscle cramps may be a symptom of hypothyroidism.

Eating foods high in potassium, such as bananas, potatoes, and prunes, can help prevent muscle cramps.

Nocturnal leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the calves, soles of the feet or other muscles in the body during the night or (less commonly) while resting. The duration of nocturnal leg cramps is highly variable with cramps sometimes only lasting a few seconds and other times several minutes. Soreness in the muscles may remain for some time after the cramp ends. These cramps are more common in older populations but may happen to anyone. They can happen quite frequently in teenagers and in some cases while exercising at night. Nocturnal leg cramps can be very painful especially if dehydrated.

The precise cause of these cramps is unclear. Potential contributing factors are believed to include low levels of certain minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium), dehydration and prolonged sitting. Less common causes include more serious conditions or use of drugs.

An unrelated condition is restless legs syndrome, an unpleasant sensation that is relieved by moving the leg, but which rarely includes cramping or pain.

Answer 4

Ive had this happen also.......I dont know the cause, but when you get a cramp, lay down and stretch out your leg to the ceiling, pointing your heel to the ceiling, that will relieve the cramp, also, increasing your calcium helps this also.....I used to get them during the night when I was younger, I havent had one in awhile, but I know how painful it is. Try this next time, the stretching will help!

Answer 5

Try drinking Gatorade and eating a banana and see what happens. Also sometimes its a lack of dairy. Heating pad will relax your cramping muscles. You can take ibuprofen for inflammation.

Answer 6

Probably your shoes. For calf pain, put weight on the foot when it happens to relieve the pain.

Answer 7

You need more potassium stretch well before bed and massage