Why do I keep getting "Charley horses" in my legs at night. I uped my intake of bananas and OJ, and I don't

Question

really do too much "stranueous activites"

Answer 1

It depends on what is causing the cramps. You may just be having charley horses. OR, you might have what's known as RLS (aka restless leg syndrome). Also, deficiencies in potassium and calcium can lead to muscle cramps.

In order to see if you have a vitamin and/or mineral deficiency, ask your doctor to test your blood for that.

There can be other causes, such as thyroid disease.

Instead of asking here, you need to see your doctor. There are treatments available. Until you are able to see your doctor, try rubbing muscle cream on your legs before you go to sleep at night. It will help some and be a temporary measure of relief.

EMT
PS...Quinine (which a medication used to treat malaria) is very effective against RLS.

Answer 2

There's a whole bunch of misconceptions about leg cramps. Besides neurological problems, leg cramps are caused by three things: over use of a muscle; dehydration; and/or electrolyte imbalance. The principal electrolytes in the body are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Sodium and potassium are needed for muscle contractions, and calcium and magnesium are needed for muscles to relax. Cramps occur because muscles cannot relax. Any of the electrolytes can become too low if a person drinks an excess of water, and anyone of them can become too high if a person is dehydrated. Exercise also depletes the local supply of electrolytes in muscle tissues.

People rarely have too little sodium or calcium, but often have temporary shortages of potassium and magnesium. Too much potassium, or too little calcium or magnesium are the imbalances that cause cramps. So, a supplement containing magnesium and calcium along with a couple of extra glasses of water are most likely to solve your problem.

Mineral supplements are usually cleared by the kidneys in 4-6 hours, so its most effective to take one supplement in the morning and another in the evening.

Answer 3

Bananas and OJ don't do much more than add grams of carbohydrates (sugar) to your system.

You can try the calcium with Vit D supplements but they don't help me a bit. Neither does the more milk and milk products. The milk and milk products cause me to have really high spikes in glucose numbers with resultant more insulin injection which only lands on my tummy and glues on!!!

I also do the exercising and walking. It doesn't help much either!!

The tonic water might help more, I don't know. Haven't tried it yet.

Answer 4

Problem = charley horses in legs
Solution = stretch legs...when laying down in bed, keep your leg straight and bring your foot as far as you can toward your knees. That will stretch your calf muscle and will prevent charley horses of the legs. Do this at nightly for a week and then do it on a weekly basis.

I used to get charley horses all time and this is the only thing that stopped them for me...old Native American treatment...

Answer 5

Hey, try this... it really worked for me. Drink a cup of Tonic Water an hour before bed. Supposedly, it's the Quinine that helps.

Answer 6

Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/uphzC

Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).

1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.

2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.

Answer 7

Low calcium? Try a banana split at night ...or tums or oscal...

If one leg is bigger than the other leg, go to the ER to get a venous doppler ultrasound to check for blood clots.

Answer 8

Cramps are not caused by a shortage of potassium but calcium. Increase you consumption of low fat dairy products and take a tums or two every day.

Answer 9

Calcium is the key.
Take calcium supplements daily, see if it helps.
Or get your amounts by drinking milk, eating dairy, etc.

Answer 10

Try sugar free tonic water. It contains quinine. I think you can buy quinine tablets over the counter.