How can I reduce muscle cramps in my calves at night?

Question

Occassionally I get a really bad cramp in one of my legs-only the calf-in the middle of the night and I cry sometimes. I thought it may be from dehydration since it used to only happen after a night of drunkeness, but it happened last night and I was completely hydrated.

Answer 1

Keep hydrated, eat more potassium and you can take an anti- inflammatory before bed .

It is very painful. When it happens, the best thing to do is to stand up and press your foot on the floor as hard as you can.

Try wearing warm socks- up to your knee to bed.It keeps the calf muscles warm.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Nocturnal leg cramps of the calf or foot muscles commonly occur in otherwise healthy middle-aged and elderly patients during sleep. Diagnosis is based on the history and lack of physical signs or disability. Prevention includes stretching the affected muscles for several minutes before sleep. Stretching as soon as cramps occur relieves symptoms promptly and is preferable to drug treatment. Numerous drugs (eg, quinine, Ca and Mg supplements, diphenhydramineSome Trade Names
BENADRYL
NYTOL
Drug Information
, benzodiazepines, mexiletineSome Trade Names
MEXITIL
Drug Information
) have been used; none is likely to be effective, and adverse effects may be significant (particularly with quinine and mexiletineSome Trade Names
MEXITIL
Drug Information
).

Avoiding caffeine and other sympathetic stimulants may help.

Answer 3

Make sure you are getting the recommended daily dose of calcium and vitamin D. Calcium citrate is a good one or the calcium found in calcium supplemented orange juice. Take 1200mg of calcium. Take 600 to 100 iu of vitamin D daily. If you do not already take this you should to prevent future osteoporosis.

Answer 4

You are right....Muscle cramp happend for lack of water in muscle... Drink Gatorade with electrolight to keep hydrated...If you go out drinking.,,,have mix drink that have juice, like cranberry, orange juice, grapefruit..They will help you hydrated and will reduce the hangover sickness....
and CUT DOWN on SALT.

Answer 5

I would certainly go to the doctor, because it could be a symptom of a blood clot or something such as an over abundance of calcium. Let the doctor decide.

Answer 6

Try a Yahoo search for "calf cramps" (OR "leg cramps") + "natural remedies".

Answer 7

You can try and wrap your muscle in a tower that was moistened with rubbling alcohol. Muscle pain can be relived with heat, and the aforementioned method should do the trick.

Answer 8

Try taking a daily multi-vitamin and see if that helps. I know eating a banana helps before exercising so you don't get leg cramps.

Answer 9

(If you don't know already) When it happens, tilt/bend your foot up as far as you can. It will stop the cramp. It works!
I think it stretches that muscle or something and causes it to stop.

Answer 10

stretch out your calf muscles before going to sleep....by doing lunges