Frequent night leg cramps

Chieflrg

kshama2001 wrote: »

I'm going to have to disagree. I still overdo it and have fatigue, but no longer get charley horses. For me it was some sort of vitamin deficiency. Not sure what as I am now taking everything mentioned above - potassium, magnesium, D, etc.

Unfortunately doctors and medical data will disagree with you.

There is absolutely zero data showing that vitamin deficiency is the cause of cramps. Magnesium might have help with relieve, a deficiency is not the cause. Studies have shown it might relieve the symptoms and more than likely is a placebo.

Cramps usually happens to athletes, while pregnant woman and people of advanced age can experience cramps and is most definitely linked to fatgue.

How did you measure your high level of fatigue and how did you determine that the fatigue had no effect on the cause of your cramps?

Cherimoose

stanmann571 wrote: »

Actually, hydration and electrolyte balance is the key cause of night cramping.

While hydration & electrolytes can certainly play a part in night cramps, it doesn't explain why it happens at night and only usually affects the calves, hamstrings & feet. That's probably from reduced circulation in those areas, which reduces the flow of electrolytes within them, causing cramps. There's a few reasons for that:
- circulation to the extremities is reduced while sleeping
- sleeping with the knees bent compresses the calves & hamstrings
- calves & hams are often tight to begin with due to excessive sitting
- calves get tight from exercise or from wearing shoes with a raised heel (~90% of shoes).

Increasing electrolytes or water doesn't address the localized microcirculation issue, but frequent stretching can.

meganw2020

I get these from time to time (oh they hurt so bad) and what I have found is when it is starting I had a tendency to want to stretch my leg out, pointing my toes down but this makes it so much worse. If you feel one starting put your toes straight up in the air and push through your heel, flex rather then stretch. For me it still cramps doing this but not nearly as bad.

DX2JX2

Chieflrg wrote: »

There is absolutely zero data showing that vitamin deficiency is the cause of cramps. Magnesium might have help with relieve, a deficiency is not the cause. Studies have shown it might relieve the symptoms and more than likely is a placebo.

Cramps usually happens to athletes, while pregnant woman and people of advanced age can experience cramps and is most definitely linked to fatgue.

I agree with your statement on vitamin deficiency, but I thought that it was well accepted that electrolyte deficiencies (including magnesium) could indeed cause cramps.

Also, while fatigue is definitely linked to cramps, it's obviously not the only potential cause. Dehydration is a big one, as is the electrolyte issue (thus why pregnant women can get them).

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/symptoms-of-brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/muscle-cramps

Sheluvsbread2much

charlieandcarol wrote: »

You could try taking Magnesium at night or quinine. Leg cramps are usually related to electrolyte imbalance but could also indicate other medical problems. Might be worth getting a checkup if you haven't been to the doctor for a while. Inadequate hydration can also cause leg ramps

Ditto. Are you also thirsty during the day? Suddenly, I was super thirsty and no amount of water would help then I was getting cramps in my legs at night. Doctor told me drink Gatorade. i.e. electrolytes. I did so, added magnesium and got better within a week. BTW, I made my own electrolyte drink. G has too much sugar. go see a doctor if u can. Best of luck to you.

ladyreva78

My night cramps were caused by birth control and were a symptom of a far more serious problem.

It's worth getting it checked out by a doctor if it's more than occasionally.

ETA: I thought it was electrolyte imbalance as well. No amounts of magnesium, potassium and co seemed to help.

RadishEater

Up until a couple days ago, I had been getting foot/toe cramps at night. I not a huge fan of bananas to eat them in my daily calorie allowance so I drink a low sodium V8 juice 5.5 oz most days now and only 30 calories and my cramps have stopped. Hopefully they don't come back!

In the app you can check your potassium levels under nutrition, or in reports on the website.

JeromeBarry1

I consume about 1/2 gram of ground pink salt before bed each night to keep the cramps away.
I had begun experiencing night cramps in my feet and legs after about a year of weight loss with lots of cardio and some low-sodium choices. Since adding salt to my intake solved that problem, screw low sodium.

dimocritus

Funny, but actual cause of such cramps usually are completely different from micronutrient deficiency, etc. Electrolytes are triggering the existing problem. Actual cause is underdevelopment/atrophy of neuromuscular connection with problematic muscles. Best way to solve it is amputation activation-type exercises. The person should develop the ability to activate (contract) the muscle solo, without any movement in joints and without co-activation of neighboring muscles.

tufftre

Cramping or tight calves yes can be a hydration issue but if you have or need a orthotic in your shoes these are the signs that your body will give you. It will begin in your calves then move up your IT band make your knees sore and if bad enough it will tighten up your hip. All will be well while in motion during the day. But at night your legs will throb so bad you will be like a soccer player kicking at a ball in your sleep. Investigate with a foot doctor. Make your shoes your best investment they will make or brake your day