How can you stop leg cramps during the night?

1. 78

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   How can you stop leg cramps during the night?

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2. 53

   Markrulesposted 15 years ago

   Take one a day vitamins, I used to have that problem alot due to a lack of minerals but I started taking vitimins and it fixed right up.

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3. 74

   frogyfishposted 15 years ago

   Nighttime muscle cramps are often due to lack of minerals, specifically including magnesium, potassium and calcium. It never hurts to supplement these as our bodies do not make minerals from foods, but has to assimilate minerals  available in the food.
   
   New to me - and I do not know anyone personally who has used the method, but have seen published reports of this from people who swear it worked:
   Unwrap a new hard type bar of soap and place it underneath the sheets in the feet area of bed.
   Leave it there semipermanently, but results should be noted in days.
   
   If you try this soap thing, please let me know if it worked!
   Best wishes!

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4. 0

   sbeakrposted 15 years ago

   personally, i only get charlie horses when i've been dreaming about ballet.  i will wake up typically to find i was pointing a foot and squeezing the calf muscle excessively.  but that's just me.
   
   possible nutritional deficiencies aside, you could try simply stretching (gently) and massaging the legs before bed.  if nothing else helps, you can actually splint the feet to stay in a gently flexed position while you sleep.
   
   different strokes for different folks...i'd advise maybe trying one of each!

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5. 58

   Dinah Roseberryposted 15 years ago

   It's funny that this question popped up on my hub site. I happened to have a particularly nasty leg cramp (in the calf)  during the night last night. Oh I know what people say: Eat bananas--but they give me heartburn. Even so, I've been known to give that very advice--though it doesn't work for me.
   
   The ONLY thing that works--whether I'm half asleep or not--is to stand up next to the bed and walk back and forth (trying not to wake my sleeping husband), stretching that muscle (or whatever it is that grabs the calf like an invisible crank).
   
   Note: Do this at your own risk. It is very dangerous if your dog is sleeping by the bed. Sometimes he can't move fast enough to get out of the way. And I think it makes him angry to be stepped on. So there are side issues to getting rid of leg cramps.

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6. 68

   skye2dayposted 15 years ago

   Whenever I have missed taking my calcium  plus D and zinc combo I get leg and or foot cramps. Ouch and Ouch. At the first onset of foot or leg cramps I remember i have not taken my calcium for 7 to 10 days. I take it immediatley and the problem goes away as soon as the vitamin gets into my bloodstream. Ask the pharmacist how many miligrams you should take per day. The amount is according to age. For my age of 50 plus I take 1200 mg.per day. Years ago someone in the medical field shared this remedywith me. I was grateful. Trust me,I do not let this happen often. Once or twice a year of leg and or foot cramps is enough for me to remember the calcium. Best Wishes.

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7. 60

   dabeanerposted 15 years ago

   Yes, make sure you get magnesium and potassium along with the calcium.  Eat a banana for the potassium.

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8. 75

   ljrc1961posted 15 years ago

   I have always suffered from leg cramps; since I was a teen.  A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome.  This is a common experience for many people; yet they don't realize that it has a name to it. 
   There are times when I cannot sleep; nor can the person in bed with me because I feel as if I can't control the twitching, jumping and cramping in my legs.  It used to make me cry and I found that no matter what I ate, how many exercises I did, getting up to stretch for hours, nothing...helped me until I began to take medication for this ailment.
   I take Requip and I no longer have difficulty with my legs at night.  Sometimes, I find that my legs have this problem during the day as well.  When that occurs, I take one mg. of Requip during the day and in the eve, I take 2 mg. a couple hours before I go to sleep.
   Hopefully, you will find that your physician can assess your situation and find the RLS medication that works best for you.  I suffered for years with no relief until I began taking medication and now, sleep no longer evades me.  Good luck.

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9. 61

   lkeippposted 15 years ago

   Up your intake of potassium - you can buy the suppliments at the grocery store. Also, make sure you are drinking enough water at this time of year.  Certain medications, like prednezone, can leech theminerals out of your body.  I have found that drinking a glass of water before bed seems to lessen the chance of getting them. It also gives you motivation to get out of bed in the morning!

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10. 59

    happyness3posted 15 years ago

    As a pregnant girl, I was suffering from HORRIBLE leg cramps at night. I could hardly walk in the morning. I started eating two bananas a day, and they went away. Now, I just drink a glass of milk with a potassium pill, and I haven't had a leg cramp since.

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11. 0

    FreedomChic1776posted 15 years ago

    I myself have recently been suffering from leg/arm/stomach cramps and muscle twitches due to low potassium levels.  Bananas do provide potassium, but gatorade will higher levels into your system the best.  Also, broccoli is a good source of potassium.

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12. 61

    Dixon Northposted 15 years ago

    Suffered from cramps for years, particularly after a day of exercise or outdoor work.  Working on electrolites, calcium, potasium etc helped but never eliminated them.  Then I tried the bar of soap thing - totally skeptical - but it worked for me.  Could not believe it.  Talked to the Doc, no explaination!  Take it out and they come back - go figure!

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13. 64

    pmm349posted 15 years ago

    Well to pre-empt getting leg cramps, I would take an aspirin before bed with a glass of water. During the day eat a banana and make sure to take a daily vitamin

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14. 60

    Priority_030posted 15 years ago

    What you can do is eat two banana's and it will stop the cramps in the legs.I use too,  do this when i came from skating,so just try it and see. Banana's really work so if you need too eat more, then eat more.

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15. 60

    Karen Baliskaposted 15 years ago

    I recently came across an article by Dr. Neil Stanley a sleep researcher in East Anglia in UK, in which he suggests taking magnesium salts or calcium to ease the symptons and valerian to help relax the muscles.
    
    Valerian is available in pill form and possibly tea

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16. 59

    theyogaworkshopposted 15 years ago

    A very easy home remedy for leg cramps is one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.  This taste can be strong and you can rinse it down with some juice.  It is very effective for preventing/stopping leg cramps! Best Relief! H.Bennett, The YOGA Workshop.

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17. 51

    rafael-55posted 15 years ago

    Give massage to the other leg for immediate relief.
    Prevent by eating apples, bananas, apple cider vinegar, one teaspon in a glass of water. etc etc

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18. 56

    Living Healthyposted 15 years ago

    I drink about a 1/2 - 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar.
    
    I also do the same if I feel a cramp coming on to keep it in check.
    
    Works for me!

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19. 60

    Kebennett1posted 15 years ago

    I know of a few things that are the cause of leg cramps. Dehydration, low Potassium, pressure of the nerves to the legs and lower abdominal gas pressure. I would try drinking plenty of water, eating Potassium rich foods like Bananas, Oranges, Apricots, Avocado, Strawberries, Potatoes,Tomatoes, Cucumber, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cantaloupe, Chard, Bell pepper, Eggplant, Squash, Crimini mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, Turmeric, Parsley, Spinach, Broccoli, Tuna and Halibut. And see a Chiropractor to see if your back needs adjusted to take pressure off a pinched nerve. If you have lower abdominal gas, take Gas X or an equivalent. If these do not work. See a physician, there is always the change these could be symptoms of something else.

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20. 0

    lyrogersleposted 15 years ago

    Proper vitamin and mineral intake is essential, but also try quinine in the form of tonic water. At the worst you'll quench your thirst, and often the cramps subside in a matter of minutes for me.

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21. 59

    KDSmithposted 15 years ago

    Years ago I used to get Calf cramps that went down into my feet and twisted my feet into different distorted shapes with the muscles twisting and cramping.
    Talk about pain! It brought me to tears!
    
    Finally this is what stopped it all.
    I take a Full Spectrum Mineral supplement that includes Zinc and Magnesium. And drink lots of fresh water.
    Muscle cramps are the result of a lack of minerals and fluids.

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22. 60

    becksbeautyposted 15 years ago

    Alep Soap is the answer. You may not have heard of it but it is a natural soap from Morocco. You simply put the block of soap (must have at least 20% laurel leaves in the soap) in your bed beside your legs and feet. You will probably kick it about during the night but over a few short weeks the cramp will disappear. My husband, mother and friends all use it. I don't really know why it works but it does!

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23. 37

    bphealthblogposted 15 years ago

    Rub alcohol (vodka) on legs let it dry and sit in then just do to sleep with it on it does smell bad but it works just take a shower to remove the smell in the morning.

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24. 61

    Patti Annposted 15 years ago

    I have read that lack of calcium can cause leg cramps at night.  When taking calcium tablets they should also have vitamin D and magnesium in them.

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25. 48

    airhen09posted 15 years ago

    as it my experience.Sign and Symptom of lack of calcium in the body is leg cramps. As  an advice of one of my fellow friends who is in medicine taking calcium (vit.D) is decreases leg cramps. i hope it helps

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26. 0

    surfzenposted 15 years ago

    I was getting leg and hand cramps when I was tired, driving long distances or trying to sleep in bed last month.  I went to Cream of the Crop health food store in Oceanside and the manager there sold me 100 Calcium Softgels for $7.99 that contain 400 iu of D 1000mg Calcium Carbonate 500mg Magnesium Oxide 7.5 mg Zinc (as zinc oxide) and 0.5 mg copper  I take 3 a day plus she sold me 100 capsules of Potassium 99 mg for $7.29  one a day  It took 2 days but I have not had cramps since and during the month since then I have driven to and from Washington (2500 miles) and the last time I did that drive I cramped up a lot in my feet and hands.   The brand is Nature's Life mfd. by Nutraceutical Corp for Natures Life, Larkspur CA 94939.  It works for me!

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27. 59

    Amany Ibrahimposted 15 years ago

    I've been suffering bad leg cramp especially when I'm sleeping.
    Toi control that I did little things and it worked with me.
    - I drink 2 cups of milk every day.
    - I try to do not stand whenever I can sit. " I even sit as I'm cooking"
    - I'm trying to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as much as I can as they provide my body with the minerals that keeps my muscles healthy.
    
    I hope you found that helpful. If so,,,, vote positiive.

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28. 59

    Melaniefell62posted 15 years ago

    Eat Bananas they are loaded with potassium.

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29. 60

    Michele Arrvinteposted 15 years ago

    There are a lot of answers on how to prevent cramps during the night.
    
    But here is what you can do if you have already waked up because of a leg cramp:
    Grab the toes with your hand and slowly straighten your leg in the knee area so that the calf muscle is stretched, you should go all the way until the leg is straight. This should release the cramp immediately. After this, just try to relax, don't do any movements with your leg it may trigger another cramp.

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30. 59

    Linda Abbottposted 15 years ago

    Try eating bananas, they contain potassium, this way you wont run the chance of overdosing, as potassium can be dangerous.

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31. 71

    soni2006posted 15 years ago

    One out of many problems with which a pregnant woman has to deal is annoying leg cramp, often waking in the morning or in the middle of the night, but there are ways to control them so read on...  It is likely that leg cramps occur because muscles... read more

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32. 61

    Jennitasiaposted 15 years ago

    I know this is a blunt and short answer, but what I do is just simply stretch. Stretch before going to sleep, when you wake up, and through out the day. This really helps! Try it!

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33. 61

    Maylisaposted 15 years ago

    I have clients with RLS and the bananas are great, the only thing that I found was that it seemed to cause psychedelic dreams if consumed too late in the evening. 
    Another recommendation, every time you are in the restroom go ahead and stretch, this will help you remember.
    
    Sweet dreams!
    The Insomnia natural

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34. 59

    DatingDragonsposted 15 years ago

    eating a healthy diet and making sure you have plenty of exercise with cool down stretches can help.
    
    magnesium is an important electrolyte/mineral that can promote cramping if levels are low.
    
    previously quinine has been used but over the past few decades is prescribed less by doctors.
    
    it is present in some drinks such as 'bitter lemon' and 'tonic water'.  the quinine in these drinks also helps to keep mosquitoes away.

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35. 61

    sammy84posted 14 years ago

    Recovery e21 allows your body to perform at its BEST!. e21 is the worlds ONLY organic full spectrum electrolyte replacement capsule. Because its 114 elements are derived from a natural, single cell marine algae these elements are totally bio-available to your body when it needs them. Other synthetic electrolyte products require the body to break through the synthetic chain they create and these synthetic compositions are often excreted before your body can be used.
    
    Recovery e21 will help prevent cramping because its organic magnesium is combined with a full spectrum of natural salts and minerals including organic potassium and this will relax the muscles.

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36. 0

    iamqweenbeeposted 14 years ago

    My daughter had leg cramps during the night and my Mom told me to buy her some bananas because that was a sign that her body needed potassium and bananas have potassium. IT WORKED

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37. 61

    jbettauerposted 13 years ago

    drink more water!!! dehydration is often the cause of cramps

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38. 61

    Dr. Wendyposted 13 years ago

    Lack of magnesium is the biggest culprit, but the other minerals are important too.  I suggest a calcium/magnesium supplement.  You can also soak in a bath with epsom salts.

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39. 59

    tswilsonposted 13 years ago

    Whenever I have dealt with leg cramps from working out, it has usually been the result of a lack of water and potassium.  Ketchup and bananas are high in potassium.

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40. 0

    Team Leaderposted 12 years ago

    Hello, My boyfriend is an athletic and healthy man. He eats a little of a lot so really he should have all the nutrients in his diet that he needs. He is still suffering from cramps, big ones, like hamstring cramps. This makes me believe that it must also be related to his genes. Your 'Team Leader'

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41. 79

    starbrightposted 12 years ago

    I used to have leg cramps just around bed time. So I started doing stretching exercises about an hour beforehand and within a week or so the problem was solved. I still do these exercises today even though it's years since I had leg cramps.

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