What is their cause and what can you do?
He does eat bananas but that does not seem to help. What else can be done?
2007-08-22 01:51:53 · 6 answers · asked by swd 6 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
'Charley-horses' (cramps) is the first place your body targets when you are dehydrated. Drink lots of water! I recommend purified water and Mineral Water mixed 50/50. The Mineral Water is going to put back into the muscles the minerals they are losing on a daily basis. You must drink beyond your thirst to get the benefits of hydration.
I suggest that adults and children drink 40 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight every day. Realize that exercise, ambient temperature, and state of health affect the water needs of your body.
In the evening take a hot bath with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts and soak for 30 minutes. Afterwards, if you have something shaped like a cylinder and made out of hard material (think of a large rolling pin you would use for pizza dough or something) place it under your leg and push down and roll it back and forth...this should massage the spasms out of your leg. It will hurt while you're doing it, but more so the type of pain that actually feels good, in the long run. Afterwards massage an analgesic cream into the area. You will start feeling better very quickly.
2007-08-22 03:05:39 · answer #1 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cramps can be caused by a range of different things.
One is lack of salt. While the average diet contains too much salt, if we don't get enough we also get sick (why do you think it tastes nice). In hot climates, or if you exercise a lot, then salt can be lost through sweat.
Personally I get cramps in this situation and fix it by eating some salty food.
Cramps can also be caused by exercising then cooling down too quickly.
Maybe he just needs a wife who has magic massage hands.
2007-08-22 09:01:06 · answer #2 · answered by flingebunt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually people get plenty of salt in their diets today. If he is sweating a lot that could be a cause, or dehydration.
All muscles use calcium for contraction and regulation (esp. the heart). Have him try some calcium. There is calcium-fortified OJ or he can take supplements. Try yogurt and milk.
Could be stress, or repetitive motions or posture, so make sure he does stretches and relaxes each day. Maybe try a good sports massage here & there.
2007-08-22 12:14:10 · answer #3 · answered by Contemplative 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your speaking of leg cramps, and I imagine you are since you mention bananas, ask the doctor for quinine. One a day will keep the cramps away. Just be careful because it can mess with the heart if he has some heart problems. I use it with my heart condition and have had no other heart problems.
2007-08-22 10:18:02 · answer #4 · answered by Shadow Dancer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does he work outdoors? Sweat a lot? Sometimes serious loss of salt through sweating can upset electrolyte balance and contribute to cramping. Drinking gatorade or anything else that works on re-establishing the electrolyte balance may help.
If they continue, and are frequent, I'd see a doctor.
2007-08-22 09:00:05 · answer #5 · answered by jurydoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What kind of cramps? Intestinal cramps, or muscle? If he's having muscle cramps like charley horses, I think that increasing his calcium intake could be helpful. If it's the other kind, he should probably go to his doc to see what's up.
2007-08-22 09:00:04 · answer #6 · answered by Andy S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋