… I don’t have them often but when I do get one I can immediately relate to everyone who is coming here looking for cures or some kind of quick relief !

This time it was foot cramps at night that got me … waking me up with a jolt and shocking my husband – who was busy snoring his head off at he time-  into trying to take some kind of action to make it go away. Luckily they weren’t too severe and what actually worked for me was to draw my feet up so that they pointed towards my head and slightly twist them to the side – the right foot toards the right and the left foot towards he left. Yeah it was both feet at the same time that got affected.

And then after that, I did get a quick foot massage (with olive oil and lavender) from hubby which was a nice treat and very relaxing.

What Causes Foot Cramps?

In my case, and I don’t know about you, but I think I know where the attack may have originated.

I was down on my magnesium levels.

A lot of us are down on magnesium because the foods that we are eating today don’t contain as many essential minerals, like magnesium and potassium, as they used to, due to depletion of minerals in the soil from which many fruits and vegetables grow. In addition to that, all the fast foods we eat tend to be deficient in magnesium. And some medications can result in a lowering of the magnesium levels in the body – diuretic medicines, antibiotics and so on.

So it is quite important to take supplements of these missing nutrients or to start including magnesium rich foods in your diet, such as is found in nuts, like almonds and organic green vegetables which have been cultivated in nutrient rich soil. Magnesium is needed by most of the cells of the body, especially the muscle cells and it has a major relaxing effect on the muscles so it would help prevent them tightening up and cramping.

However, ingesting magnesium supplements may not be as effective as applying it topically so the best way to get adequate amounts is to apply it as a lotion to the skin. You could also take a regular bath with magnesium salts.

Muscle cramps and potassium deficiency are also related and since potassium and magnesium work together (with sodium too) in synergy, it is a good idea to make sure you are taking these in, in some way, at the same time – just a banana or two and some sea salt sprinkled on your food generally should help. These are my suggestions only… don’t forget to always check with a doctor before making any major changes to diet.  

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Well you might like to know that it doesn’t always have to be about eating bananas at bedtime, taking enough potassium, water or quinine. Neither does it have to involve quick stretching or massage.

As for those who suggest popping pills for the pain, they obviously don’t have a clue what they are going on about. That kind of relief just doesn’t work as fast as is needed on the spot! When leg cramps at night come into full force like a bolt of lightening out of the dark, they are not gonna hang around for you to say, ‘hang on a minute, let me take a painkiller and wait for it to start working’. You’d be hard pressed to even get out of bed to fetch a glass of water at those times.

No, you need something that works super quick. Ok well, yes, maybe leg stretching or massage is pretty good on average but what could be even better are two particular methods that I have found really useful at these  ‘striking hot’ times.

And what is particularly good about these methods is that they are safe, natural and immediately available whenever you need without needing to move much at all.

So what are they?

Well, the first method is well known for giving immediate pain relief for leg cramp and other pains too in fact. It is also free and literally at your fingertips. You don’t even need to get out of bed.

Method One: EFT Tapping

EFT tapping is a natural energy therapy that can bring pain relief almost instantly simply by tapping with the fingertips on certain identified acupuncture points of the body.

Usually you will start by making a verbal statement at the beginning (repeating 3 times) whilst at the same time you tap on the karate chop point of one hand using the fingers of the other. You would say something along the lines of  “Even though I have this painful leg cramp in my right leg, I deeply and completely love and accept myself”.

The acupuncture points around the eyes, under the nose, on the chin and so on are then tapped in sequence. If you are in a lot of pain you can do a shortcut which usually works just as well, by tapping on the thymus point with your fist whilst keeping your focus on the pain. The thymus point on the body is located about two inches down from the collar bone. This place has a connection to all of the main meridian points of the body. Next time you get a nocturnal leg cramp try it and see. No doubt you will probably be quite pleasantly surprised.

Magnet Therapy

The second method incorporates the services of the humble magnet. You probably have one of these at home alrady on the  fridge, so keep one by your bed to use whenever the need arises. Magnets are a natural and very efficient tool which can help us deal with pain. Our body has an electromagnetic field which can stretch over 12 feet beyond the physical body that we visibly see. Our body “field” can become distorted and even pull  in or attract more pain towards the blocked area when we are in pain, whether that is emotional or physical (actually, physical pain often shows up as a symptom of emotional pain). The process of rubbing a magnet in downward movements across the area where the pain is manifesting can correct this problem and dissolve pain. This has been known to bring about immediate pain relief in lots of cases.

So that is it … here are two methods that maybe you haven’t come across before, that may be exactly what you need at the right time to get rid of nocturnal leg cramps immediately.

Try putting soap under your pillow as an effective remedy! Or go back to all of the other suggestions that are continuously being touted on the web.

I just felt like sharing something different for a change -that actually works.

Technorati Tags: cramping, leg cramp, nighttime leg cramps

Well here is some news for you. It doesn’t have to be all about bananas, potassium, quinine, stretching and massage and rehydration.

Although some of these, like  potassium and other mineral salt supplements may be good at preventing muscle cramps, they are not quite so relevant whan an actual legs cramping is taking place and immediate relief is what you are looking for.

And anyone who suggests taking a paracetamol or two for leg muscle cramps pain obviously doesn’t know what they are talking about. That kind of relief just isn’t fast enough!

When severe muscle cramps such as leg cramps at night strike, they are not gonna hang around for you to say, ‘hang on a minute, let me pop a painkiller and wait for it to start working…’

No, you need something that works super quick. Ok well, yes, maybe leg stretching or massage is pretty good but what could be even better are two particular methods that I have found really useful at these ‘hot’ times. And what is good about these methods is that they are natural and immediately available whenever you need. So what are they? Well, the first method is well known for giving immediate pain relief and the best thing is, it is free and literally at your fingertips.

Method One: EFT Tapping as a Leg Cramp Remedy

EFT is an alternative natural body energy technique that can bring pain relief almost instantly simply by tapping with the fingertips on certain acupuncture points of the body. Usually you will do this process by making a statement at the beginning (and repeating it three times) whilst tapping on the karate chop point of one hand with the fingers of the other. It would be something like “Even though I have this X pain in my leg, I deeply and completely love and accept myself”. You then tap on points around the eyes, under the nose, on the chin and so on.

However, when you are in a lot of pain you might not want to bother doing ‘all of that’ even though it doesn’t take that long. In this case you can just ‘tap’ on the thymus point with your fist whilst focusing on the pain. The thymus point is about two inches below the collar bone and this point connects to the main meridian points of the body.

Next time you get a nighttime leg cramp just try this and see. You will probably be very pleasantly surprised.

Method Two: Magnetic Therapy for Night Cramps

The second method involves nothing more than a normal magnet. It can even be a fridge magnet. Just keep one by your bed for handy use whenever you need it. Magnets are a natural and surprisingly efficient method of dealing with pain. Our bodies have an electromagnetic field (which in fact is known to stretch out about 12 feet beyond the physical body that we actually see). When we are in pain, whether that is emotional or physical (in fact physical pain often manifests as a symptom of emotional pain) our body ‘field’ can become distorted and even ‘draw’ more pain towards the distorted or blocked area.

One way of correcting this problem and dissolving the pain of  leg night cramps in the process is to rub a magnet in downward strokes over the area where the pain is manifesting. This has been known to bring about immediate pain relief in many cases.

So there you are … two methods that maybe you haven’t come across before, that just might make a difference. Of course you could always try putting soap under your pillow (yes, this has been tried and some claim that it works!) or go back to all of the other suggestions that are continuously being touted on the web. I just felt like talking about something different for a change.

Let me know how you get on …. what worked for you?

Technorati Tags: leg night cramps, nightly leg cramps, stop leg cramps at night

They are most often experienced in the calf muscles, behind the knee.

To know more about leg cramps while sleeping read on…

Have you ever experienced that searing pain in your calf muscle while you are at the peak of a good night’s sleep?

Well, if you have, I need not tell you what it is, but for those who have not experienced it, let me tell you that it is called a leg cramp.

Leg cramps while sleeping are very common and as such, many of us do not pay a lot of attention to it. Unless of course you get a truckload of them at night while sleeping. Then the situation renders serious corrective measures.

Still interested? Then go on reading.

Leg Cramps At Night While Sleeping

What are They?

Leg cramping while sleeping or nocturnal leg cramps are involuntary contractions, which happen in the calf muscles. They are extremely painful and last from a few seconds to minutes. There is a distinct soreness in the muscles even after the cramp is gone. Older people experience more of these, although experienced by individuals of all age groups, too. These fall in the overall category of muscle cramps which include smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, menstrual, cramps and a few others.

Causes Of Leg Cramps

One of the theories for explaining night leg cramps is that a muscle gets the stimulation to contract when it is already in a shortened position. The position in which we sleep – knees slightly bent and feet pointing slightly downwards, is supposedly conducive to this condition. This is said to be the basic cause of such cramping while sleeping.

The other causes of a leg cramp in bed  are consumption of diuretic drugs, muscle over exertion and loss of balance of salts in the bloodstream, like low or high sodium or potassium levels. Some of the other things include later stages of pregnancy, untreated hypothyroidism, excess alcohol and some of the rare causes include cirrhosis of the liver, lead poisoning and sarcoidosis. They last but not least include uncommon nerve disorder and peripheral vascular disease. However, these are the probable causes, and a definite cause of this acute pain while sleeping at night has to be discovered.

Dealing with the problem

Whenever you get an inkling that you are getting an attack, immediately stand up and put pressure on the affected leg. That will make the cramp go away. This is the instant solution. Longer term solution, or prevention  is massaging and stretching.

Stretching Exercises

Indulging in regular stretching exercises is a good option for preventing leg cramps. Focus on exercising the calf muscle while doing the stretching exercises. Try this out for a month or so, you would most probably see the difference.

Sleeping Posture

A change in your sleep posture can also prevent them. Keep a pillow under your calf, if you are lying on your back. Letting the feet hangover the edge of the bed is another way to relax that muscle and avoid leg cramps at night while sleeping.

Fluids

Inadequate amount of fluids in the body, that is dehydration, could be also be a cause of cramping. So make sure you drink lots of water and juices.

Quinine

Quinine is the last resort, if none of the previous solutions for prevention. One tablet at bedtime is the normal dose and that is an effective remedy to reduce the number and severity of episodes. However, they may not altogether stop with quinine. It is also advised that you should not take quinine tablets if you are going to be pregnant or are pregnant.

Most of the times athletes, pregnant women, people with sedentary lifestyles are prone to cramps. They either over exert, or do not exert their muscles at all.

That was the whole story. Pay attention if you are getting frequent cramps. Stop the discomfort by stretching your calf muscles and sleep well!

By Medha Godbole

Technorati Tags: leg cramps, leg cramps at night, muscle cramps cause

Foot and Leg Pain Discovery

Incorrect use of voluntary muscles can cause pain throughout the body. This article discusses an example in the feet and legs based on engineering principles. There are others which will be discussed in other articles.

Pain! Foot pain! Plantar fasciitis pain! Shin splints pain! Heel spurs pain! It sure isn’t any fun!

How many times have you been on your feet a lot and couldn’t wait to sit down? It has happened to most of us. It could have been from blisters or… new shoes which didn’t fit right or… kicking a chair when wandering around in the middle of the night or… or….

Or it could have been something which just would not let itself get fixed. It could be something which specially made shoes or pain pills just could not fix. And by the time the surgery would be finished, too much damage may have been done to ever get it right again. Hopefully it has not gone that far yet because possibly, just possibly a simpler fix is on the horizon.

Foot Arch Adjustments

Good news! A new discovery about how the foot arch works points the way to relief of a number of foot and leg pains as well as flat feet. True, it may not work for all foot or leg problems. Nothing can promise that. In fact, any one pain or problem can come from any number of causes.

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However, it can be shown that upsets like certain foot or leg problems and pains can be created when the foot arch is not working right. Who knows?…that pesky pain may just respond. Nothing tried, nothing gained. Why not find out more?

Yes, the foot arch. The new discovery is that the foot arch is created using certain muscles in certain ways. The discovery comes from the direction of engineering science, not medical science. The engineering principles are taught in architecture school. The way roof arches were built in old European churches gave the first clue. Then the application of engineering theory completed the project.

Although the entire theory will not be given here, some of the background will be explained.

Even if the feet seem to have good arches, there may be something in the way they are used which causes the foot or leg pain. And if it does not hurt now, something may change in the future which could be easily fixed if one knows what follows.

Although a foot is apparently well arched, improper use of the foot can cause pain. The foot is made to hurt when not being used correctly as a warning to shape up.

Here is what happens.

A joint is where two bones meet. Ligaments hold the bones together at the joint. Remember the last time you cut a chicken up for the pot? The tough white material holding the bones together at the joints are the ligaments.

What if you had no ligaments? Just imagine sleeping and turning over several times in the night. You might wake up with several toe bones mixed in with your ribs, a knee cap in your mouth and a shoulder blade mixed up with your toes. Rather a funny picture when you think about it. Don’t worry, as long as you have your ligaments it won’t happen. That is a main job of the ligaments

When you get out of bed and start putting loads on your bones and joints, you will find that the ligaments by themselves just are not strong enough to carry the load. That is why you also have muscles to hold your bones together at the joints. The muscles can carry much more load than the ligaments.

Besides holding the bones together at the joints, the muscles have a much more important job to do. They move your bones around. When you reach up to scratch your cheek, muscles in your arm move your hand. When you run, muscles in your legs move your feet. You get the idea.

Muscles do need to rest and get repaired during sleep.

That is when the ligaments do their main thing. However, sometimes muscles stop doing their job when carrying a load during the day. Here is when ligaments really have an important backup job, but they don’t like it. Taking over the job of muscles is too much for a ligament, and it screams (ie, hurts) in protest.

Ligaments are the backup system which holds bones together at the joints when the muscles are not working as they should.

Here is an experiment to get more understanding. Some few people have something unusual in their arm which does not let this work. Those people can try a similar experiment using another joint. Also, if overdone it may cause pain or damage. So, to take special care that no injury occurs, only do it with the permission and supervision of your health care provider. If your health care provider does not agree that it is okay for you to do this experiment, do not attempt it.

Hold your right arm out with the palm down. Relax the muscles in your right arm so that the hand flops limply down from the wrist. Now, using your left hand, push on the back of your hand, forcing your right wrist to bend more than it was meant to. If you push enough, the wrist will hurt. Don’t damage your body. Only do it enough to get the idea.

When you get the idea, move your left hand away. Keep your right arm out with the palm down. Next, contract the muscles in the back of your right arm which will pull your hand up until your wrist is not bent so much.

This time, using those muscles in your right arm, Do Not Let Your Right Wrist Bend any more than it already has. Then, with your left hand, press on the back of your right hand again, trying to bend your right wrist. As long as you do not let your right wrist bend, you will find that it does NOT hurt, no matter how hard you push with your left hand. You can now relax and I will tell you the theory of what is happening.

Letting You Know There is Something Wrong

In any well-engineered machine such as a jet plane, space shuttle or even many cars the important systems, such as brakes in cars, have back up systems which operate when the main (primary) system breaks down. When the main system has failed and the back up system starts operating, there are loud bells and bright flashing red lights to let the operator know that there is something wrong which needs to be fixed.

In the human body, when the muscles stop operating and the ligaments start carrying a heavy load across the joint between bones, pain is the loud bell and flashing light which lets the operator (you) know that something is wrong. In your wrist you already know which muscles to operate.

A similar system in your feet hurts when the foot arch muscles do not operate right. This can affect the ligaments which hold your foot bones together. It can also affect the ligaments which hold the two bones in the lower leg together as in shin splints.

All the information cannot be put into this article. There is more at the web sites and in the books: “Muscle N’ Bone” and “How To Use the Foot Arch Correctly.”
By Dennis Denlinger

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The first idea for an insomnia cure may be as simple as going to bed thirty to sixty minutes earlier than your partner. This will give you a chance to fall asleep first, and often, if you’re already asleep, you won’t wake up when the snoring starts. You might also consider ear plugs, to block out or at least seriously diminish the noise. For those who would prefer another method, a white noise machine or running a fan can sometimes help counteract the sound of the snoring.

Your partner really needs to take some responsibility for trying to help with possible sleeping remedies. He or she might try something like nasal strips or a no-snore pillow to help open the airwaves enough that the snoring will diminish or go away altogether. Or the solution might even be to try to learn to sleep in a different position. Often if someone sleeps on their back, then they snore more readily. Finding insomnia remedies in this situation shouldn’t just be your job alone, when it may be possible for your partner to take some control of things.

On the other hand, if your partner actually has a sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, then that changes the whole complexion of the situation. Before getting medical intervention for yourself, you and your partner need to discover whether there’s a physical condition that is causing the snoring. It could stem from overuse of alcohol, or from being overweight. Don’t use any sleeping remedies like drugs until you discover whether the person who really needs the medical help is your partner. Drugs should be the last resort, so try everything else first.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital wart cure. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating genital wart remedies. For more information, visit TreatmentForGenitalWarts.com.

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This varies on the severity of the pain, and the location the pain occurs. If the pain is a mild headache, toothache or any of the pains we all get from time to time, an ordinary analgesic will usually suffice. in the case of toothache pain medication containing Ibuprofen is probably the best choice, toothache can be accompanied by inflammation, Ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory and will therefore help to decrease inflammation.  If the pain continues you should seek medical attention, as the pain could be the result of a more serious underlying problem. Pain is your body telling you that something is amiss, do not ignore this message if pain is persistant.

There are two types of pain, acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is usually a pain that lasts for only a short time that recedes with no treatment, it has no serious problems associated with it and normally needs nothing more than over the counter pain medication. Chronic pain though is more serious, chronic pain generally is persistant and is often associated with an underlying disease or injury. It can often start from something as simple as a sprain or an infection that eventually becomes more serious, or it can be caused by a developing disease. Chronic pain can persist for months, or even years. As well as a requirement to treat the underlying cause, pain medication stronger than over the counter pain killers is usually required.  Among the most common pain medications include tramadol, ultram and ultracet, tramadol being the most common prescribed. These pain killers aren’t scheduled as controlled substances, therefore it is possible to buy tramadol online. In a lot of cases pain medication is prescribed with other treatments to treat the problem giving rise to the pain.

Possibly the commonest type of pain we experience is headaches. Headaches may disappear without needing any other treatment, simple over the counter pain relief medication will usually be enough to ease the pain. Migraine is a much more severe form of a headache and can be caused by various underlying conditions. A migraine may be accompanied by other conditions, for example changing moods, sensitivity to light, one sided headaches and nausea. A migraine may only last for a few hours, but can last for a few days. Anyone with a migraine should get medical attention as soon as possible.

For pain that is associated with joints and muscles, physiotherapy is frequently used, and can in many cases result in complete removal of the underlying problem. Electrical stimulation is a sometimes used, sometimes as a last resort. Electrical stimulation works by interrupting pain signals in the spinal cord. Acupuncture may also be used to try and reduce pain, fine needles are entered at key points on the body, the needles disrupt the flow of spasms. Fine needles may be used in regions far removed from the source of the pain.

The main thing to consider, is that if a pain becomes serious or unbearable, especially if it is persistant, seek immediate medical attention, it could be due to a more serious underlying problem.

Disclaimer: This post is based on information that is freely available in the popular media and medical journals that deal with pain relief. Nothing in this posting is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the viewer should consult with his or her doctor or other medical specialist.

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Is a restless legs treatment available? Whilst there is no definite cure, there are instances where dealing with underlying cause of the illness treats the restless legs too. The reason for this is that RLS has been linked to a number of causes. So treating it will depend on the particular case that caused it.

The condition has been found to be quite common in people with kidney malfunctions, diabetes and anemia. If it is identified in such people then the treatment of those illnesses should deal with the RLS also. Some stimulants such as alcohol, tobacoo and caffeine have proven to make the condition much worse. So you can do yourself a favor and cut down on them or stop taking them totally.

There are some cases where the condition just shows up and there is no real cause that can be linked to it. Finding a restless legs treatment then becomes quite a challenge. In such a case it is said to be idiopathic. If you happen to be suffering from idiopathic RLS then the treatment plan is aimed at reducing the severity of the symptoms more than anything else. This involves changes in lifestyle and activities that are designed to reduce or eliminate the sensations you feel.

So by including more vitamins and minerals in your diet you will be able to notice changes to your condition. Iron, magenesium and green leafy vegetables are quite healthy. Taking on regular exercise and maintaining a constant sleep pattern is also recommended. Some things that can bring you temporary relief are hot baths and applying cold or hot compresses to the legs.

Other alternatives are also available as options to restless legs treatment. Natural and home remedies have been improved on over the years and are bringing relief to most people. I would recommend trying them. There is not much involved and they have a good track record.

Some places where you will be able to get natural home remedy techniques include any one of these: treatments for restless legs, how to get rid of a sleepy leg, cure restless legs

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> Instant Leg Cramp Relief. Get It Now !

Read more about the various causes and treatment methods of night leg cramps in greater detail.

Also called charley horse, with this cramping the commonly affected areas of the body are the calf, foot and the thigh. Although referred to as nocturnal leg cramps, they can occur at any time of the day or night.

Night leg cramps are not chronic and may last for about 10 minutes with possible soreness after they are gone.

These cramps are not gender specific and they might affect both men and women equally and apart from people who are more than 50 years of age, small children are also affected at times.

Some Remedies For Nocturnal Leg Cramps

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, indulging in stretching exercises, wearing shoes which give proper support and maintaining a proper posture while sleeping, are some of the preventive measures that can be followed in order to reduce the frequency of nocturnal spasms.

Causes Of Nocturnal Leg Cramps

There are no such definite causes of nighttime leg cramps, however, based on assumptions and possibilities, there are some cases that have been linked with these cramps. These include overuse or overexertion of muscles, sitting in the same place for a long period of time or sitting in an improper posture and dehydration. Being dehydrated is considered as one of the causes of  cramps generally, as there is not enough water for transporting vitamins, minerals and other substances throughout the body.

Leg cramps while sleeping have been found to be common among expecting mothers and elderly, probably due to poor blood circulation in their limbs. People with a sedentary lifestyle are also vulnerable to leg cramps and they become prone to this disease if they do not maintain enough consumption of water for the body to remain hydrated. Nocturnal leg cramps have also been found common among people who have deficiencies of calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine disorders and medications such as contraceptive pills (birth control pills) have also been hold responsible for the occurrence of  leg cramping at night.

How To Treat Night Leg Cramps?

It has been found that people suffering from leg cramps and spasms increased the level of potassium in their diet and seemed to have reduced the frequency of cramps. Some examples of potassium rich foods are bananas, apricots, nectarines, dates, grapes or raisins, beans, the cabbage/broccoli family of vegetables, oranges, grapefruit and its juice, pork, lamb, potatoes and corn, saltwater fish (like tuna), tomatoes and tomato juice.

> Instant Leg Cramp Relief. Get It Now !

Pain from leg cramps, that might occur suddenly, after getting up from the bed, can be relieved by applying a hot compress and massaging the cramped muscles. Even soaking the affected leg in warm water reduces the pain to a great extent.

Another cure for leg cramps is the exercise of holding your toes to stretch your calf muscle. Pull them towards your knee and extend the leg straight out. This is an effective exercise which can be followed before going to bed and after waking up. While you are doing this exercise, you will feel the effect in the back of your calf muscles. Stretching the legs and Achilles tendons on a regular basis shows major improvements in leg cramps treatment.

The calves, when toned and well stretched, are less prone to developing cramps. For this, exercises such as ‘toe-ups’ and ‘wall stretches’ are helpful.

Being aware of such cramp treatments, comes in handy at times when there are less chances of getting any medical aid

However, in serious cases, where the pain becomes unbearable, a doctor should be the first point of contact. He is the one who can pinpoint the causes and provide the right remedy.

By Rajib Singha

Technorati Tags: calcium, cause, causes, cra, cramp, cramps, cure, deficiences, dehydrated, dehydration, for, leg, magnesium, night, nighttime, nocturnal, relief, remedies, sleeping, spasms, symptoms, treatment, while

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Sudden and forceful contractions of the leg muscles can cause leg cramps, which occur mainly during nighttime. Let us know more about leg cramps in bed

It is the contraction of muscles, which enables the physical movement of human beings.

But a sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles can cause cramps.

Such cramps may be accompanied by severe pain too. The most common among muscle cramps are leg cramps, which are also known as ‘charley horse cramps’.

Leg cramps are caused by the sudden and forceful contraction of leg muscles, especially those in the calf, the hamstring and the quadriceps.

Sometimes, even the small muscles in the feet can also cause cramps. Leg cramps are common among the aged and pregnant women, but young people may also experience this condition.

Leg Cramps in Bed
Generally, leg cramps occur when you rest, especially during the night. Such leg cramps are also called night leg cramps. In most cases, the contraction of calf muscles is the reason for cramps, but the thigh or feet muscles can also cause cramps. Leg cramps in bed may last for a few seconds to a few minutes, but in some cases, it may last even longer. The intensity of the pain also varies and in most cases, it is severe enough to wake the person up. Even if the cramp ends, the muscle may remain sore for some time. Most people experience occasional leg cramps, but for some people, especially, the aged, this problem can be more frequent.

What Causes Leg Cramps in Bed?
There is no precise medical cause for leg cramps in bed. According to research, cramps are caused when the muscles, which are in a shortened position, are stimulated to contract. This theory explains the relation between the sleeping position and the contraction of leg muscles. Most people sleep with their legs slightly bent and the knees pointing downwards. In this position, the calf muscles are in a shortened form and any contraction can lead to cramps.

There are many other contributing factors to leg cramps in bed, which can include some physical conditions. Night leg cramps may be due to dehydration, overexertion of muscles, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, excess alcohol consumption, some nerve disorder, etc. Prolonged sitting or lying down in the same position may restrict the blood flow through the concerned muscles and cause leg cramps.

People with low levels of certain minerals, like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium, leg cramps can be frequent. Use of some specific medications can also be the cause of leg cramps in some people. Drugs may also worsen the situation for those who are already affected by frequent leg cramps. Narrowing of the arteries of the legs, leads to poor blood circulation to the legs and can cause cramps. There are many other common conditions, which can be the reasons for leg cramps in bed.

How to Prevent Leg Cramps in Bed?
The most common treatment for leg cramps in bed is stretching exercises. Though researchers have a different opinion regarding the efficacy of this method, many people find it beneficial in preventing leg cramps to a large extent. Regular stretching of leg muscles, especially those in the calf, is effective.

In case of leg cramps in bed, you have to be careful about the sleeping posture. Though, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same, expert opinion is that a proper posture, that prevents the shortening of calf muscles, can be of much help in reducing the occurrence of leg cramps. If you like to sleep on your back, then prop your feet up with the help of a pillow. When sleeping on your front side, try to hang your feet over the end of the bed. Make sure that the blankets are loose and do not force the toes and feet to point downwards during sleep. Check whether any current medication is causing these muscle cramps. Warm showers before bed time can help to some extent.
Remedies

> For a list of natural remedies for night leg cramps click here

In case of leg cramps in bed, try some stretching. Gently massage the area and if there is persistent muscle discomfort, you can have a mild painkiller. Quinine tablets are also effective, but it can cause side effects in some people, especially pregnant women. Try this medicine, only after consulting your doctor. However, exercises are the best way to get rid of leg cramps in bed.

By Sonia Nair

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