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early morning leg cramps!

megsmom2
megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
edited January 21 in Health and Weight Loss
The last few mornings Ive been awakened to muscle cramps in my lower legs. Painful! Anyone have any advice on how to make this stop? I haven't been doing anything new or different in my workouts.or what I'm eating. I know about an accupressure point that helps relax it...but it keeps happening...a smaller muscle on the side of the leg, not the big calf muscle.

Replies

  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    Different things can cause leg cramps. My husband used to get them because he didn't eat enough salt. Here's a general overview:

    http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/nighttime-leg-cramps-topic-overview
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    I will check that out...thank you!
  • minivegrunner
    minivegrunner Posts: 45
    As above poster stated, different things can cause this.

    I have heard that vitamin-B deficiency as well as vitamin-D can cause leg cramping. i'm not sure what else can though. I would suggest talking with your GP about your symptoms. He/she may suggest a supplement or dietary change. :)
  • Requiembell
    Requiembell Posts: 106 Member
    I would start with electrolytes. Sounds like you dont have any.
    Remember calcium is one too so have some sports drinks and milk

    plus lots of water.

    Thats usually the cause.
  • dancingdeer
    dancingdeer Posts: 373 Member
    This used to happen to me and it's often caused by dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Try potassium supplements or drinking coconut water - coconut water is full of potassium - more than a banana.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    My husband used to get them all the time but now he takes 1 sublingual B12 and a banana everyday and he doesn't get them anymore. If he forgets them the cramps come back after a few days.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    potassium deficiency can also cause cramps - have a banana?
  • Sassybmom
    Sassybmom Posts: 146 Member
    For me it's always potassium deficiency so I eat more baked potatoes :)
  • apothecarist
    apothecarist Posts: 193
    I agree on low potassium being a potential cause. Bananas, a little orange juice, tomatoes, strawberries...some good sources of potassium.
  • LinOtt
    LinOtt Posts: 82 Member
    My GP recommended Magnesium supplements. I have been taking these before I go to sleep each night and find that I am sleeping better and no more cramps. The cramps return though if I stop taking them after a while.
  • GiveTheGeniusACookie
    GiveTheGeniusACookie Posts: 23
    Bananas
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    potassium ansd magnesium
  • sister_bear
    sister_bear Posts: 529 Member
    I would ask my doctor for a blood test to eliminate possible deficiencies mentioned above that could be causing it.
  • tippetmaster
    tippetmaster Posts: 1 Member
    I would go through periods where I will get these cramps that are super painful and wake me up around two am, usually I will increase my water intake and eat more bananas. Usually they will happen after I eat a lot of salt and have lighter work ours I try to keep my ion balances even so I can avoid the cramps. The last one I had was so bad I couldn't run for 3 days after it happened.
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