Leg Cramps

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   Thelma Albertsposted 11 years ago

   What do you do to ease your leg cramps? I have sometimes leg cramps in the middle of my sleep that is very painful. What causes these cramps? What do you do if you were me? Your advices are highly appreciated. Thanks in advance;-)

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      prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      hi Thelma, wait Ill take a pic of how you will do it..

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   You might want to get a blood test and see if you potassium levels are on the low side.  That can be one cause. Then you either eat more high-K foods or take a supplement.

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I´ll do that test in my next yearly doctor visit. I have been to my doctor a  month ago and everything is fine besides my low blood which I always have since I was a child. I´ll take  high K foods when  I know what foods they are. Thanks psycheskinner.

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3. 76

   carol7777posted 11 years ago

   We always take a few sips of quinine water (tonic water)...and it goes away in minutes.

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you carol7777. I´ll prepare tonic water next time beside my bed. Thank you.

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   prettydarkhorseposted 11 years ago

   hi Thelma, sit down or lie flat, your feet should be flat in a surface, pull the toes towards you
   
   when I was pregnant I experienced those cramps at night, my Ob said it was due to lack of calcium
   
   
   
   I couldn't get a pic of the whole legs lying flat bec. I am holding the cellphone with the left hand. I hope you can do that it eases the pain when it attacks.

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      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is exactly right. Flexing your toes toward your knees - NOT pointing your toes -  will usually relieve the cramps in seconds.

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         Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yep, I see it now. I did the other way so it hurts too much. Thanks Sally´s Trove;-)

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you prettydarkhorse. I´ll do that next time I have a cramp. Your feet look nice;-)

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   Motown2Chitownposted 11 years ago

   I get the same types of cramps.  I usually run warm (to hot) water on my leg and massage till it passes.  Quinine is successful, but stay away from it if you have any sort of heart issues.  Extra potassium in your diet is always a good idea as well, unless it's limited for some reason.  Dehydration can cause them as well, so drink lots of water also.
   
   

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      writer20posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thelma, if you're problem is low Potassium bananas have a lot of that in them.
      I'm wishing you lucky in finding out what causes your problem. Joyce.

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         Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Oh Great , Joyce! I´m surrounded with lots of bananas at the moment. Loads of bananas in different sizes and colours. I´ll be eating more that I do now. Thanks for letting me know.

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It just happens to me in the middle of the night when I sleep. What confuses me is that, I only got these leg cramps when I´m in the Philippines not when I´m in Germany. I look for potassium contained foods now. I drink water most of the time. Thanks Motown2Chitown.

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6. 82

   Healthy Pursuitsposted 11 years ago

   Leg cramps are usually caused by a deficiency in one of three minerals - calcium, magnesium or potassium. Potassium is usually easiest to replace by changing your food intake.
   
   One banana a day is 1/2 your daily recommended potassium intake.
   
   If you're having leg cramps due to calcium loss, you should also have your bones scanned for any possible osteoporosis. 
   
   When I had leg cramps several years ago, the culprit was low magnesium. If you tend to also have low blood pressure, the problem is most likely low magnesium.

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So I don´t have to eat a kilo of bananas for I´ll be going bananas if I eat plenty of these, lol. I take magnesium supplement every night. So, there´s one thing left, let my bones  scanned for any possible osteoporosis. I hope it doesn´t  hurts. Thank you healthy Pursuits.

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   For potassium green leafy veg and dried apricots are also good

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I´m an  " eating grass"  Filipina! That´s what my father called me because I always eat vegetables during meals. Sometimes, my doctor told me to eat meat as well for he could see how much vegies I eat, in my laboratory result. Thanks psycheskinnner;-)

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   Someone clearly need to write a hub on this

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      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Right you are!

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, of course. I would love to read it.

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   Horatio Plotposted 11 years ago

   Ah potassium. Every 6 months I go to have my bloods checked and the Doc says, "Humm, your potassium is low, have you tried eating more bananas Horatio?"
   Every 6 months they hit me with the low potassium and bananas thing. Last week I went and it was the same, "Your potassium electrolyte is very low, why don't you try eating more bananas?"
   "Doctor White". I say, "With respect, I  can't eat any more bananas. I swear, if I eat any more bananas I'm in danger of turning into a monkey. A big-arse Orangutan type monkey. And nobody wants that, believe me Doc. Not you, not me, and certainly not Mrs. P."
   Cured the leg cramps though.

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      Healthy Pursuitsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I"m surprised that your doctor hasn't followed up on your long-term low potassium. Chronic low potassium can have a variety of causes, everything from simply having low magnesium (magnesium is needed for proper processing of potassium) to having kidney problems that can progress, or several other chronic diseases. I'd tell your doctor to go eat his bananas, then check around for a more proactive doctor. That would be preferable to having one that pays no attention to resolving clear symptoms.

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      Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hahahaha. I would feel the same Horatio. I love bananas but I can´t eat  too much of them. I´ll try though but not always the ripe banana. I would be having banana shakes, banana smothies, fried, cooked, banana breads and cakes, banana puddings, etc.... What a variety! And then at night time I´ll be dreaming I´m in the Philippine jungle playing with Chita. LOL!!!!
      
      Thanks Healthy Pursuits for making me laugh.

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         Thelma Albertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I mean Horatio.

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    Thelma Albertsposted 11 years ago

    Hi Healthy Pursuits. Thank you for giving a comment. Your right. One should go to another doctor for the same checked --up, who is not only thinking about the bananas a patient should have eaten but also for another causes of the symptoms to solve the problems.

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