 |
|
Home >>
Ask a question >>
General Health & Fitness |
|
|
|
Advice for night leg cramps
What is good for night leg cramps?
( 3 Oct 2007)
|
(Only for registered users! Login OR Sign Up in just 30 seconds) |
Leg cramps can hinder routine activities. However small this ailment may be, it can simply restrict your movement in a matter of minutes. Leg cramps can disturb and disrupt sleep patterns resulting in elevated stress levels.
Leg cramps, muscle strain or “charley horse” all imply a sudden contraction of the muscle giving rise to sudden intense pain that restricts movement. Such muscle contractions are common among muscles that cross two joints such as the calf muscle, (crosses the knee and ankle), quadriceps and hamstring (crosses the knee and hip).
Legs are more susceptible to such cramps apart from the arm, neck and back.
There are various reasons that contribute to such a condition. Leg cramps may occur due to long spells of muscle inactivity, excessive workout leading to muscle fatigue, muscle injury, intake of certain medications, electrolyte depletion, excessive weight or pressure on legs or dehydration. Leg cramps can vary is nature from being mild to extreme. Extreme cases require understanding the reasons behind such an occurrence and treating the condition methodically with the help of a medical professional.
Home remedies are best suitable to treat mild to moderate conditions with a little bit of rest and nature care. Simple remedies include stretching and massaging the painful area to relieve the strain. Avoid excessive exercise to reduce chances of muscle fatigue. Drinking water or keeping yourself hydrated is also known to treat leg cramps. It is advisable to drink a glass of water before night, to avoid night leg cramps. Similarly, drinking water before, while exercising and after an exercise session is also recommended. Excessive physical activity or sudden increase in exercise routine can bring about such cramps. Therefore, it is advisable to step up your exercise gradually thus avoiding sudden exertion to muscles. A warm up routine before strenuous exercise helps reduce sudden strain on muscles. A hot or warm water bath can also help relieve the strain and the sprain. Rubbing an ice pack alternatively with a heating pad can also help relieve the muscle strain. Intake of honey especially after dinner can help reduce chances of night leg cramps.
Exposure to sun or excessive exercise releases sweat. Sweat contains fluids as well as salts and resulting in electrolyte imbalance. Electrolyte depletion can increase the incidence of muscle spasm. Such a deficiency can be corrected with intake of fluids and a high calcium (milk, yoghurt) and potassium (bananas, tender coconut, potatoes) diet.
|
|
answered by G M on 7 May 2009, 11:44:01
|
|
|
Advice on night leg cramps
Cramping of legs, especially in the night is a result of calcium or magnesium deficiency. Electrolyte imbalance is seen, due to potassium deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin P or hesperidin, a bioflavanoid is also seen to cause muscle cramps. Olive oil before wine consumption is helpful. A hot shower before retiring to bed helps in providing relief from restless leg. Press on the upper lip to reduce leg cramp. Cramping also follows exercise. Supplements of magnesium, potassium and calcium are recommended. Stretch the legs, by relaxing the calf muscles. Perform this before sleeping. A warm up before exercise is helpful. Chamomile tea is recommended for leg cramps. Supplementation of mustard releases acetic acid, which helps in the synthesis of acetyl choline, a neurotransmitter. Supplementation of CoQ10 is also beneficial. A mixture of a teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of cider vinegar is an effective remedy for leg cramps. Calcium lactate also helps in providing relief from leg cramp. Cold compress is also helpful in leg cramps. A heating pad or a warm towel, placed on the affected leg, provides relief. A gentle massage also helps. Read our article on leg cramps.
|
|
answered by Dr C on 20 Feb 2008, 1:04:33
|
|
|
|
Read more questions in General Health & Fitness
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
