Night Leg Cramps

Archive for July, 2009

Did you ever go to sleep at night and about two hours into your restful sleep you suddenly awaken only to find that your legs are twitching like crazy? And then suddenly the aches and leg cramps start. These cramps can be so severe that it feels like somebody is digging a knife into your calves.

Well, if you’ve suffered, or are suffering with these symptoms, what you have is restless leg syndrome. The attacks can come at any time. And while this seems like a problem that just won’t go away, there are natural treatments for this condition that will rid you of your restless leg syndrome for good. But first, we need to understand what causes it.

Natural Treatment For Restless Leg Syndrome

In spite of what many people think, restless leg syndrome is not a neurological problem. The problem itself effects people as they get older. About 5% of the population in the United States suffers from this condition at one time or another.

It affects women more than it does men. Doctors have determined that the main cause of this problem is related to iron deficiency. While this condition can actually be inherited, being exposed to extreme cold or stress can also bring on attacks. There is also some evidence that suggests the disease is also related to heart and stomach disorders.

In most cases though, the problem comes down to circulation. Blood flow to the legs is being restricted and as a result, the legs have a tendency to cramp up.

So the key to treating this disease is to increase circulation to the legs. This can easily be done through natural means without having to resort to harmful drugs.

There are two means of treating restless leg syndrome. The first is what is called immediate care. This is what you should do when actually suffering from an attack. For the leg that is having the attack, take your foot and just move it around. This will help bring circulation back. Then, if you’re not in too much pain, get up and walk around for a few minutes until the attack stops. If the attack isn’t too severe, sometimes just changing the way you’re sleeping in bed can stop an attack. With some people, a heating pad works wonders. With others, soaking their feet in cold water does the trick.

The second means is called longer term care and this basically involves a number of life style changes. Most people who suffer from restless leg syndrome are coffee drinkers, so it is important to get rid of caffeine from your diet. Because of the iron deficiency possibility, it is important to take vitamins containing a sufficient amount of iron daily. It is also important not to eat large meals before bed as this can also lead to an attack. Finally, try to avoid stress and get plenty of exercise.

The above simple tips should be sufficient enough to keep you from suffering from restless leg syndrome for even one more day.

Author: S. Wagner

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome? – Restless Legs Syndrome Signs

Also known as Wittmaack-Ekbom’s syndrome, the condition is marked by uncontrollable movement of body to over-come odd sensations.  

Restless Legs Syndrome

If you are experiencing the symptoms of RLS, please see a physician to rule out any other medical problems. Information from The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation 

13 Natural Remedies For Your Restless Legs

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is not dangerous, but, it sure can interrupt your sleep and quality of life. RLS sufferers generally have more leg discomfort when sitting or lying down than when standing. The leg discomfort is worse at night

Technorati Tags: cure, diet, insomnia, natural cure for, natural remedies, relief, restless legs, syndrome, treatment

Do you get cramps at night? Do you get enough sleep? Are you absolutely sure? Most of us actually do not get enough sleep, and some of us aren’t even aware of it. We have just adjusted to not being at 100% during the day without even realizing that we are not at 100%. We just think the energy level that we have is ‘normal.’

Calcium Supplements for Better Sleep

The fact is that we are not getting the rest that we need, and if we ever did actually get that rest, we would notice a vast difference in our performance and energy levels that would amaze most of us. Most of us also don’t realize the impact that the foods we eat during the day have on our sleep and on whether we get through the night cramp free or not.

Most of us do, however, know that caffeine keeps us awake. So, of course you want to avoid anything that has caffeine in it at least six hours before bed time. But just as caffeine is something that keeps us awake, there are many foods that actually help us get better sleep. Any food that contains tryptophan is a ’sleeper’ food. And for cramping preventionany foods that contain calcium, magnesium, potassium are all beneficial, like a glass of milk and a banana before bedtime.

Tryptophan is an amino acid that produces melatonin in the brain. Melatonin slows down the traffic in the nerves and helps our brains rest. The brain, of course, is the body’s commanding officer. When it’s busy, so is the rest of the body – but when it takes some R & R, the rest of the body also gets to rest.

You’ve heard of people drinking a warm glass of milk in order to get to sleep. The ‘warm’ part really has no effect on sleep. It is a psychological trigger that soothes us from our baby days, when our mothers fed us warmed milk or baby formula. The milk part of that, however, actually does aid us in sleep, because of the calcium and the tryptophan that is contained in milk.

The calcium actually helps the brain use the tryptophan in a more productive way, making it produce melatonin faster, which relaxes our brains enough to let us fall into a deep, relaxing sleep, at the same time as feeding the muscles with the essential mineral, calcium it needs to work properly

Life Force International has a product called OsteoProCare, which is a liquid calcium supplement. One of the first benefits of OsteoProCare that their customers notice is that they sleep better. Again, this is because of the calcium. Not only does this calcium help the brain produce melatonin, it also reduces pain, and stiffness, and helps decrease leg cramps, restless legs, and muscle spasms that many people experience during the night.

The only reason we mention a specific product here is because it is in a liquid form instead of a pill. The absorption into the bloodstream is much faster and your body utilizes more of it. This is unique in the calcium supplement market and we have not found any other calcium supplements that even comes close.

People that have used a liquid calcium supplement also report an increased sense of well being, which is also the result of a good night’s sleep.

So, have that glass of milk before bed – warm or cold – and use a liquid calcium supplement during the day, at mealtimes, to not only aid in good sleep, but also to promote good health as well.

Author: Steven Godlewski

Technorati Tags: at night, cause, cramps, cures, leg, night, night time, nocturnal, stretch my legs in bed and i get leg cramps, what causes

What exactly are night leg cramps?

The signs are unmistakeable: severe pain in the calf as the muscle suddenly contracts of its own accord so tightly that you can’t do anything to shake it off, is a sure sign that you have the condition known as night leg cramps. Not many people know, but these night leg spasms can happen in the thigh area and in the feet as well.

The exact reason why a leg cramp occurs is unknown. One theory purports that cramping occurs when a muscle that is already contracted is stimulated to contract even further.There are other suggestions too. With a little experimentation, some dietary adjustment and the support of your local health practitioner, it shouldn’t be long before you  find a remedy that works  for you.

Electrolyte function is an important component of muscle health and if they are out of balance painful leg cramping is very likely to occur. Elecrolytes can mainly be thought of as minerals such as sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium, that are generally depleted through excessive perspiration or other forms of dehydration.

So in order for the muscles to function at their best all of these need to be in proper balance. If the quantity of these essential salts is a little too much or is not enough to maintain proper muscle functioning, severe leg and foot night cramps could be the result. Muscle cramps at night have also been associated with high levels of phosphorous which is usually found in large quantities in processed food, quick snack foods and soda. Reducing the quantity of processed meats, fizzy drinks and snack foods that you consume can go a long way to addressing the problem. A good example of a natural source of potassium that is easily available is the banana.

Another possible cause of muscle spasms and cramps is exercise that is of a high intensity which is associated with muscle fatigue and consequently lower levels of calcium. A lot of energy is needed to support the muscles in constantly contracting during the exercise and this requires a diet rich in appropriate nutrients. A drain on calcium reserves is believed to lead to muscle fatigue and increae the risk of cramping, so including extra calcium in the diet along with  vitamin and mineral supplements , at this stage might be a good preventative measure and help to avoid muscle fatigue.

Along with pregnancy comes extra demands on the body needing extra nutrients and care. for example, as the baby grows it adds weight to the whole body and the leg muscles need to work a. A light supper before retiring for the night, using foods that contain potassium and calcium might be the cure that you need. It could be something as simple as a nightly routine of a banana and glass of milk , along with a little light leg stretching, before bedtime during the term of the pregnancy.

There are a number of potential reasons given for cramps and, as a list, causes of
cramps and muscle spasms include type 2 diabetes, not enough fluids in the body, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, flat feet, the side effects of some prescribed medications, peripheral artery disease, Parkinson’s disease, an underactive thyroid, Addison’s disease, dehydration and diarrhea, and as a side effect of surgery such as a gastric bypass.

In the light of there being such a variety of potential factors involved in what causes leg cramps at night, a good place to start for anyone wanting to obtain relief from regular and severe  night leg cramps  would be to consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

Nocturnal Leg Cramps Causes

The phosphorous that is pumped into processed foods, if consumed regularly can lead to an imbalance of essential body salts and cause cramping so turning to a more natural or organic diet can reduce the likelihood of developing this 

NutraSweet – Aspartamine Diet Drink Poison

you suffer from fibromylagia symptoms, spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss 

Dr. Manny’s Freedom Diet 

I take it before my Smooth Move and it eliminates my cramping by 90-100%. I used to lose so much sleep from cramps at night from the tea. It made the cleanse very difficult for me. The peppermint tea allows me to sleep through the night 

Technorati Tags: at night, how to stop, leg and foot night cramps, leg cramps, night, night time, what causes

Night leg cramps are very painful and are caused by the sudden contraction of muscles. A leg cramp is a sudden and uncontrolled contraction of a muscle.

Leg cramps usually occur at night, and in most cases last for a few minutes.

In some cases, it might just last a few seconds, while in others the pain might even take 10 minutes to subside.

Leg cramps are more common among older people, sometimes these cramps turn very regular, for instance, they occur three times a week to everyday of the week.

Night Leg Cramps – Causes

The exact cause of a leg cramp is unknown.

There is a theory that states that cramps occur when a muscle that is already in a shortened position is stimulated to contract further.

Apart from this, the other known causes are:

• Dehydration
• Diabetes
• Tiredness in the muscles
• Pregnancy
• Lead poisoning
• Excess intake of alcohol
• Medications
• Decrease in the potassium levels
• Neuromuscular disorders

Treatment

• Have a bath with hot water
• Walk on the leg that is affected
• Massage the affected leg
• Stretch and flex the muscles
• Apply a cold pack on the affected area

Prevention

• Drink a lot of fluids during the day, as dehydration is linked to leg cramps. It is advisable to drink at least 3 full glasses of water each day. Intake of fluids before, during and after exercise is also important.
• Stretching can help relax muscle fibers. It is important to remember not to exercise vigorously before bedtime.
• Increase exercise routine gradually. Remember to increase your exercise program by only 10% compared to the previous week, as sudden changes can cause cramps in the leg.
• Improve your posture while resting in bed. Use positions that prevent the calf muscles from shortening while you are asleep.

When to see a doctor

If and when you find the leg cramps becoming a usual phenomenon, it is advisable to see a doctor. The doctor may analyze your blood to ensure that the levels of potassium and other electrolytes are normal. Medications that help the muscles to relax may also be prescribed.

By Rachna Gupta

Prevention of Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are sudden and uncontrolled contraction in muscles, usually occurring when the body is motion less or after strenuous workout. 

Natural Remedies That Work: B vitamins ease painful pregnancy leg cramps

Shaun’s comment: Almost 50% of pregnant women have painful leg cramps during their pregnancy. These tend to be in the latter part of the pregnancy and mostly occur at night. 

Leg Cramps Remedies – Natural Cures – Natural Remedies

Leg cramps happen when one or more muscles in the leg contract suddenly and involuntarily. As a result of this muscle contraction, the leg experiences severe pain and can become temporarily immobile.

Technorati Tags: causes, how to stop, leg cramps at night, leg cramps in the middle of the night, night leg cramps, remedies, treatment, what causes

If you’ve ever experienced the excruciating pain of muscle cramps, then understanding some of the causes and   ways to relief can go a long way towards being more comfortable and pain free. I speak from the experience of muscle cramps so I investigated the causes and what could be done to relieve this terrible pain.

Muscle Cramps: Understanding Some of the Causes and Ways to Pain Relief

For some people muscle spasms are so frequent that it’s impossible to sleep until the pain can be relieved as they can come on during the night.

For others they can be less frequent but just as painful. Traveling by car, bus, airline or other means for extended periods without a ‘walking’ break, can results in the leg muscles contracting into painful spasms which are very difficult to relieve. Ensure you get up and move around regularly when traveling.

Many women experience abdominal cramping ranging from discomfort to absolutely excruciating pain that drains all the energy from your body during menstruation. To understand what is happening here the uterus lining thickens during the early part of the menstrual cycle. The lining then breaks down and is expelled which is part of the normal monthly menstrual cycle.

During this process prostaglandins (which are unsaturated carboxylic acids that act as chemical messengers) are released and send a message to the uterus to contract. These contractions help to expel the uterus lining but they can also cause severe pain, and are sometimes so intense they momentarily cut off the blood supply.

My experience has been with leg, back and abdominal cramps but the leg cramps were the absolute worst. Cramps can start in your toes, distorting the shape, and moving up into the calf muscles,   tightening into painful knots where it is impossible to lie still or to walk. Some muscle spasms can come from injured muscles particularly in the back where they try to protect themselves from further damage.

Dietary deficiencies in magnesium and calcium (which work in synergy) can also be a cause of some cramps, muscle weakness, leg tremors and muscle spasms. These minerals play an important role in controlling contraction and relaxation of muscles on signals from the brain. This was my own problem and I found powdered magnesium with calcium had a faster absorption rate and was a more efficient means of  preventing cramps .

Insufficient intake of water and other fluids, resulting in dehydration, is also another cause of cramping and spasms. Athletes are painfully aware of this and the need for keeping up fluid intake. As our bodies are made up of a massive amount of water, it is important for all of us, not just athletes, to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day – a glass being 8 oz. It is also important to be aware of dehydrating and this can be simply tested by noting if there’s color in the urine, drink more water – coffee and alcohol dehydrate, so when partaking of either of these have water at the same time. The same applies if diarrhea is present, during hot weather, or if using diuretics.

What to do to relieve cramping. Gently stretch the muscle to attempt to relax it. Then gently and carefully massage the affected areas. Don’t overdo stretching or the massage as this could cause more pain or damage to the muscles. I have found when leg cramps leave soreness in the muscles, a hot pack or wheat bag heated in the microwave and applied to those parts will loosen up the muscles and relieve the soreness.

Author: Carmel Muggeridge

Abdominal Cramps Natural Treatment Methods

Problems, such as stomach belching, can be treated with a number of herbal products and teas Rosemary oil can relieve abdominal cramps 

Can a Bar of Soap Relieve Nocturnal Leg Cramps?

There is considerable evidence–all unscientific–that going to bed with a fresh bar of soap may be the easiest route to a good night’s sleep for leg cramp sufferers.  

How to relieve cramping!

Someone random in the hallway just showed me how to stop cramps (of the menstrual type) by putting some pressure on these spots on your hips. You find the spot by putting pressure on different locations until you find this spot 

Comfrey and Cramp Bark : Naturopathic Health Care and Healing

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus): Crampbark is effective at relieving any over-tense muscle, whether smooth muscle in the intestines, airways, or uterus, or striated muscle in the limbs or back. It may be taken internally or applied externally

Technorati Tags: abdominal, causes of, cramping, cramps, in legs, muscle cramps, muscle leg cramps, muscle spasms, nocturnal, preventing, relieving