How To Stop Leg Cramps At Night

By: Sam Johnston

Night time leg cramps are sudden, uncontrollable contractions of the calf muscles that normally occur during the night or while resting. Leg cramps are not uncommon at night, particularly as we get older.

Research has not discovered precisely what leads to nighttime muscle cramps. The problem is most likely with the nerves controlling the muscles rather than with the muscles themselves. There is no particular reason as to why we get night time leg cramps. Some research consider it to be a low defiency in minerals and electrolytes that are needed to prevent muscle cramps.

Low levels of a few minerals known as electrolytes—magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium—have long been connected to leg cramps. (Marathon runners sweating out the miles are particularly prone to this variety.)

To prevent cramping consider the regular use of supplements, especially calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Stretching your calves regularly during the day and at night will help. You can often prevent night cramps by exhausting the stretch reflex before you go to bed by stretching your calf muscles with wall pushups and applying a heating pad for 10 minutes before going to bed. Keeping blankets loose at the foot of the bed will help avoid unnatural positioning of your feet and toes which can cause night time cramping.

The main problem people have is when a leg cramp occurs at night it will disrupt the sleep and can effect the whole day from there. Getting a good nights rest is vital for our health and we are unable to fo this if we cannot prevent our night time leg cramps. There are a few ways we can prevent our cramps. When cramping occurs, try walking on the affected leg and then elevate it. Stretch your calf by grabbing your toes and pulling them upward toward your knee, especially with you leg extended straight. Take a hot shower or warm bath, or apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle. Although this technique could be successful this is still waking us up in the middle of the night and we are not getting the required amount to sleep..

Persistent or severe leg cramps often are treated with medication. Such medications include diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl), prescription muscle relaxants (off-label use) such as meprobamate (Equanil, Miltown) and verapamil hydrochloride (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan). Quinine, while successful, has too many side effects and has been banned in the US for this use. There are some very good Organic and natural supplements on the market that prevent muscle cramping and can give you a great nights sleep. Organic supplements are derived from natural organisms such as microalgae.

Article Source: http://www.sleepdisorderarticles.com