leg cramps, can anyone help?
609709
Leg cramps are most generally caused by a LACK OF POTASSIUM. I have to take both a diuretic and prescription potassium as Nothing on the market over the counter will do it for me...it is so painful without the potassium. my body simply retains salt from the foods i eat and there fore the diuretic. Now if your husband has restless Leg Syndrome...they call that "ASKENETHIA"(SP?) &is treaded with  (most copmmonly clonazepam..a benzodiazapine at the mg. of .05 mg. per night. ~ I hope that this helps.
121237
It could be a muscle cramp\nwho knows
462275
It's not abnormal.  Most everyone has leg cramps every now and again.  The best thing to do when you wake up with a leg cramp is to get out of bed and put weight on the leg with the cramps.  This is really counter-intuitive (opposite of what you would think would work) but it DOES work.\n\nLeg cramps are caused by a lack of potassium in your diet.  I'm not sure of ALL the foods that contain potassium, but bananas are my personal favorite.
84769
Leg cramps are muscle spasms anywhere in the leg. They usually occur at night and can result in sudden, painful spasms. \nIf you are frequently bothered by leg cramps, check with your doctor to rule out medical conditions that may be causing the problem. Many different factors can promote cramping, including low blood levels of calcium, magnesium, or vitamin E. Circulation disorders, anemia (a low level of blood cells), and improper functioning of the thyroid gland can also cause leg cramps. Other causes include dehydration, heat stroke, inactivity, and strenuous exercise. Cramps can also occur for no apparent reason. \n\nHere are a few tips that may help prevent leg cramps:\n\n\nDrink plenty of water throughout the day. Doctors recommend six to eight glasses everyday.\nMassage your muscles before going to bed.\nStretch daily, before and after exercise.\nMaintain a well-balanced diet and eat foods high in calcium (such as milk and cheese), potassium (bananas and dates), and Vitamin E (spinach and sweet potatoes).\nIf you have a leg cramp, gently stretch and massage the muscle. You can apply a warm heating pad to the area to help calm the cramping muscle and reduce discomfort.
807499
i agree with starrwood that it may be a blood clot, it sounds like it.  \n\nor, do you run?  maybe you pulled a tendon.  go to a sports medicine doctor for analysis.  but ask your family physician first because she may think you should get it analyzed first to see if it IS a blood clot, which may become quite dangerous.  it could come loose and go to your heart or brain and kill you if you have one.  \n\notherwise, what i am really thinking is that perhaps you mean a leg cramp (???)  a lot of people get leg cramps at night.  sometimes they are in the foot, curling the toes so painfully.  then it jumps to the other foot (or leg), so that both of them hurt.  it happens so fast!  it's very interesting, and i do not know why the cramping, very painful, would first come to one leg (foot), then be shared in equal measure so fast with the other one!  \n\nfor my leg cramps i take an old-fashioned prescriptive drug called quinine glutamate.  quinine is also found in most brands of tonic water.  tonic water is sold where soda pops are found at the grocery store.  sometimes tonic water with quinine helps this cramping problem.  with me, it does not.  but i do not ALWAYS get leg cramps, so i only use the pills when needed.  \n\nthis drug is thought of these days as "not formulary," which only means that the pharmaceutical companies are in charge of what things the doctors see viable for curing your ills.  in addition, the insurance companies are in cahoots with the pharmaceutical companies, so watch out.\n\nquinine is the best cure for malaria, but i do not know exactly why it also works for leg cramps.\n\ni hope you feel better soon.  make sure it is not a blood clot first.
62298
Ever try a heating pad? Those work well.\n\n Also try exersising, and avoid salty foods. Take some ibuprofin. \n\nIf you have really bad cramps all the time, you should see a doctor.
788004
It's not that odd and more common than you think.\n\nFirst, consult with your doctor to see if there are any medical conditions that this could be a side effect of.\n\nIn the meantime, potassium is your friend, particularly if you restless legs ever manifest cramps or 'charlie horses'.  The quickest way to get potassium into your system is drink a large glass of orange juice, it almost is immediately absorbed due to the liquid form, with bananas taking second place.  Taking potassium and calcium supplements regularly will also lessen the occasions, but if it starts up, hit the orange juice as soon as possible.\n\nThey also are recent medications for restless leg syndrome, both over the counter and by prescription.\n\nUntil you sort everything out with your doctor and/or find that drinking OJ, eating potassium rich foods, and taking supplements don't work, I wouldn't go straight for the medication.\n\nStretching and walking around also help if you're suddenly hit with an attack.  Hit the OJ, walk around the house a bit, do light leg stretches (and other body parts too as sometimes the 'restless' part can hit other parts of your body).
229703
Cramping while swimming is common because in most strokes you are pointing your toes. This requires you to tense up your calves. Most common way to prevent cramping is to be properly hydrated. Drink water throughout the day and keep a water bottle at the edge of the pool. Drinking some sports drinks prior to practice will help. Warm-up then stretch before entering the pool, then again in the pool. I was told that by pressing the small, left cleft under your nose will quicken the relief of leg cramps. It's supposedly a pressure point.
848261
Stretching before may help. Start slow and work your speed up.  Then slow down gradually don't stop suddenly. Be certain you are getting sufficient water and potassium. My sister used to get terrible muscle cramps in her back and legs till her doctor told her to eat more bananas or take potassium supplements. The cramps went away!!!
933430
Hi, If the cramps are really uncomfortable I lay down with a heating pad on my stomach.  Ibuprofen helps a lot and I start taking it the day before I am to start.  A hot cup of tea also helps.
583429
Ok, this is going to sound weird but....if you have leg cramps when you sleep, toss a bar of soap between the sheets.  Doesn't have to be fancy soap, a bar of Ivory soap will do.  EVERY person who has tried this has found relief.  I don't know why they only occur at night.
513320
Not to scare you, but my husband had leg cramps for months.  He later developed a blod clot in his leg.  Dr told him that the cramps were likely caused by the clot forming.  If I were you, I'd discuss this issue with your doctor as soon as possible.
441097
You can stretch by raising your foot backwards and pulling it up with your hand until you feel pressure in your thigh. If this does not work you can apply warm water to relax the muscle and alleviate your cramp.
74598
Leg cramps are caused by a lack of B12 and calcium
715230
Its not out of the oridnary. Lots of girls have this problem. You'll be surprised to learn that getting out of bed and walking will help. Its the only thing that helped my first day cramps.
1147692
the cause could be lack of conditioning, poor blood flow, or something more serious like neuropathy ( often from diabetis). try some gentle exercising and make sure you take magnesium. the magnesium soothes irritated nerves that may be causing your leg cramps.
75842
Hopefully you mean muscle cramps?  If it's a menstruation problem I can't help.\n\nMuscle cramps can be wiped-out by regular stretching, making sure you're well hydrated, and taking a multi-vitamin daily.\n\nHowever, if you're in your teens and growing fast, there's nothing you can do about it.  It's just something that happens to all of us.