What to do to prevent muscle cramps at night????
817628
My dad and I both suffer from extremly bad camps in our legs at night. We have found it helpfull to eat bananas and drink gatorade before bed. That is the non medication method. They also have medication you can pick up at your local drdug store that works as well.. But the all natural way seems to work just as well for both of us!
1031371
Eating foods high in potassium can relieve cramps.  Bananas are good for that as they are high in potassium.  Likewise doing regular stretches will help relieve the potential for muscle cramping.\n\nIf you do a lot of swimming, you will be using your calf muscles a lot and if you don't stretch them out before and after you swim, you can get muscle cramps.
951620
Cramp is caused by a build up of lactic acid in the muscle.  The way to stop it is to stop exercise until the blood clears the lactic acid away from the muscles.
227051
Natural Ways to Ways to Cure and Prevent Leg Cramps - More Than Home Remedies\nIf you get a leg cramp (or charley horse), the quickest way to get rid of it is to walk on the leg. If the person can't get up and walk on the leg, either heat or ice along with massage will help.\n\nDrinking two ounces of natural apple cider vinegar has been reported to relieve involuntary muscle contractions or cramping in 35 seconds.\n\nBut, if you get leg cramps often, the best thing is to prevent them from happening in the first place.\n\nTaking calcium  and magnesium supplements (or calcium magnesium combination) and eating a banana daily prevent most leg cramps. If this alone does not do the trick, these will help increase circulation: Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. And, zinc helps your body absorb the calcium and regulate the B vitamins.\n\nLeg cramps caused by insufficient fluid intake are prevented by drinking about eight glasses of water each day.\n\nLeg cramps that occur during or after vigorous exercise can be prevented by eating a few bites of something salty and drinking at least half a glass of water before, during and after exerting yourself.
714299
You could use a heating pad, or take a hot bath.  This will help relax the muscles ease the pain of the cramps.  Good luck.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
618026
What has always helped me are those disposable heat packs you can buy in most drug stores.  They are more easily found in the winter, but ask for them anyway - they may be able to order them for you.  You open the plastic pack, shake it, and it warms up nicely and stays warm for 8 hours.  Just tuck it in your underwear (no one can tell its there - they are VERY thin!), and it REALLY HELPS!!!  Wishing you the best honey, I suffered for MANY years with those god-awful cramps!
781637
Interesting Q.  I've never heard of this before so I did a quick search.  Here's what I found:\n\nseems to work for leg cramps, wrapped or unwrapped, any brand will do \nhttp://www.snopes.com/oldwives/legcramp.asp\nhttp://www.healthdiaries.com/blogs/parentsfault/archives/2006/01/soap_for_leg_cramps.html\nhttp://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/home_remedies/soap_under_the_sheets_for_rls_leg_cramps.asp\n\nand there are numerous other pages touting the benefits of this strange alternative remedy
1095777
Vitamin E, plenty of water, and quit smoking if you do. The E is good for circulation, the water will help with the cramps, the smoking is obvious.
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.
922767
when a cramp occurs, go to the middle of the belly of the muscle. \n\nPlace your fingers about 2 inches apart, in the middle of the muscle, with your fingers and hands parallel with the muscle.\n\nPush the middle parts of the muscle towards each other, as though you were trying to shorten the muscle. Dig in a bit, be quite firm about this. \n\nKeep it up until the pain stops. Keep repeating this on any muscle or part of the muscle that is cramping.\n\nThis can give almost immediate relief. You may be surprised at how fast this works!\n\nIf you are still unsure of what I am saying, attend a "Touch for Health" weekend seminar, where you will learn this technique. (It's called "unblocking the muscle"). See www.tfhka.org or your local health food store for details.
738003
Drink lots of water, stretch every day and at night alternate a heating pad and ice to relax the muscles. Always remember to stretch BEFORE AND AFTER any type of workout.
470972
I kinda feel this could depend on your age. My daughter had bad leg cramps when she was younger and the doctor said it was growing pains. Of course, I thought she was in the first stages of some disease. Moms way of thinking!!\n\nIf you've seen a doctor and he has checked you out and said it's nothing, then don't get worried about it but instead try some of the following....\n\nFor muscle cramps, gently massage the legs stretching it to help relieve the painful contractions. Relax the muscle by using a hot water bottle or heating pad, or by soaking in a warm bath. \n\nIt could be a varicose vein problem developing. In this case you should try preventing it by several times a day, lie on your back for a few minutes with legs slightly raised, soak legs in warm water, exercise regular and wear a support hose to support your legs.\n\nBecause of meds I have to take, my potassium can fall low. If this happens my legs cramp really bad. So, this could really be your problem because if you are not eating the right foods or if you are on medication yours could be below normal. Eat bananas, drink oj, you can even buy a potassium supplement at WalMart for less than $2.00. \n\nAlso, be sure to drink plenty of water and excerise regularly.\n\nHope something helps those cramps to go away!! :)
915673
why are you having spasms? If you can stretch the back that could help you with those spasms. At night you can put a heating pack, ice is only if is acute condition, and if is swelled up, but heat will calm the muscles that are contracted. Here are some stretches you can do:\n\nBack Stretch\n1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your arms out in front of you.\n2. Slide your arms further away and slowly shift your hips back towards your feet until a comfortable stretch is felt.\n3. Now slide your hands to the right until a stretch is felt down the side of your torso. Repeat to the left.\n\n Low Back Stretch\n1. Lie on back with right knee drawn toward chest. \n2. Slowly bring bent leg across body until a stretch is felt in the lower back and hip area.\n3. Remember to keep shoulders squared and flat on ground at all times. Bottom leg should be bent so that your knees are aligned. \nIf after all this the spasms are still there, try a massage, definitly it will help with you with the spasms. to increase circulation and decrease pain and much more\nGood luck, good health  :)