why do my legs cramp up?
84769
Leg cramps are muscle spasms anywhere in the leg. They usually occur at night and can result in sudden, painful spasms. \nIf you are frequently bothered by leg cramps, check with your doctor to rule out medical conditions that may be causing the problem. Many different factors can promote cramping, including low blood levels of calcium, magnesium, or vitamin E. Circulation disorders, anemia (a low level of blood cells), and improper functioning of the thyroid gland can also cause leg cramps. Other causes include dehydration, heat stroke, inactivity, and strenuous exercise. Cramps can also occur for no apparent reason. \n\nHere are a few tips that may help prevent leg cramps:\n\n\nDrink plenty of water throughout the day. Doctors recommend six to eight glasses everyday.\nMassage your muscles before going to bed.\nStretch daily, before and after exercise.\nMaintain a well-balanced diet and eat foods high in calcium (such as milk and cheese), potassium (bananas and dates), and Vitamin E (spinach and sweet potatoes).\nIf you have a leg cramp, gently stretch and massage the muscle. You can apply a warm heating pad to the area to help calm the cramping muscle and reduce discomfort.
971647
You may have a potassium deficiency. I used to get Charlie horses all of the time and I was told this was the reason why. Banana's are high in potassium so you can eat those or get a good vitamin and take daily. Also as soon as you feel one coming on get up and walk immediately and it will keep it from hitting you so hard but you have to get up before the muscle tightens so tight that you can't walk so be quick. Walk through the tightness, don't tip toe through it or it will cramp all the up just as bad as it would have if you didn't get up at all.
736547
you might have sluggish circulation in your legs, poor venous pulse or any number of things.  I dont know your age but I'd still check it out at the docs to rule out anything serious.
808247
cramps are caused by contraction of muscles.  this results in pain most of the time.  for a more in depth discussion of cramps click the link below.
1031371
Eating foods high in potassium can relieve cramps.  Bananas are good for that as they are high in potassium.  Likewise doing regular stretches will help relieve the potential for muscle cramping.\n\nIf you do a lot of swimming, you will be using your calf muscles a lot and if you don't stretch them out before and after you swim, you can get muscle cramps.
62674
The most common cause of leg cramps (besides over-exercising) is inadequate potassium, and sometimes calcium.  Start by eating more bananas or taking supplements and if that doesn't help, then see a doctor.
438889
While there are some remedies that can help, ranging from over-the-counter analgesics to medications to exercise to certain supplements and alternatives, you do need to find out the source of your pain.  While every woman experiences some cramping during her period, pain that debilitates you or otherwise disrupts your life should be investigated and treated accordingly.  You may have Endometriosis, which can be a potentially devastating illness.  Learn more at http://www.endocenter.org.
314309
Didn't you just fall off the table and hit your lip and asked for a remedy for a fat lip. Now your asking about back spasms.  I think you should go to the doctors and have yourself checked over. They might be able to help with your back.  I know that if don't have enough salt in your daily diet and you are not drinking enough water, you can develop cramps.
936934
Here is what my doctor told me about leg cramps. I also apply Aspercreme to my legs at night when I am being bothered and it helps. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/night-leg-cramps/AN00499
225758
Many times people have gout in their legs.  Drinking alcohol exacerbates gout (makes it worse and causes pain).\n\nDehydration is also an issue after drinking alcohol which can cause cramps in your legs.  Drink water when you drink alcohol.\n\nSecondly.. NEVER EVER follow drinking alcohol with taking medications... ESPECIALLY narcotics such as percocet!!!\n\nThey can both depress your respiratory system and you could become very sick and/or die with taking drugs and alcohol together!
609709
Leg cramps are most generally caused by a LACK OF POTASSIUM. I have to take both a diuretic and prescription potassium as Nothing on the market over the counter will do it for me...it is so painful without the potassium. my body simply retains salt from the foods i eat and there fore the diuretic. Now if your husband has restless Leg Syndrome...they call that "ASKENETHIA"(SP?) &is treaded with  (most copmmonly clonazepam..a benzodiazapine at the mg. of .05 mg. per night. ~ I hope that this helps.
62777
If it is a cramp, try eating more potassium (bananas, orange juice, strawberries) and drinking more water. Advil is a good quick fix. If you're not very active and this 'came out of nowhere' keep an eye on it, especially if it's in the calf and you have circulation problems,etc. If you have a raised red spot that is hot to the touch, and you're running a fever (without the advil or other meds masking it) you might have a blood clot. See the doctor VERY soon
903962
sounds to me like exercise induced compartment syndrome.  the thick tissue surrounding your muscles (fascia) is too tight. as you exercise or walk the muscles engorge with blood but are then squashed by the tight fascia. Leads to a cramp like pains in your calves. due to the history it is unlikely to be a blood clot or anything.  you need to go and see a sports specialist dr. they can do a test where they put needles into the compartments to measure the pressure in there as you walk on a treadmill.  they can then do a small operation to split the fascia to relieve some of the pressure
75842
Hopefully you mean muscle cramps?  If it's a menstruation problem I can't help.\n\nMuscle cramps can be wiped-out by regular stretching, making sure you're well hydrated, and taking a multi-vitamin daily.\n\nHowever, if you're in your teens and growing fast, there's nothing you can do about it.  It's just something that happens to all of us.
462275
It's not abnormal.  Most everyone has leg cramps every now and again.  The best thing to do when you wake up with a leg cramp is to get out of bed and put weight on the leg with the cramps.  This is really counter-intuitive (opposite of what you would think would work) but it DOES work.\n\nLeg cramps are caused by a lack of potassium in your diet.  I'm not sure of ALL the foods that contain potassium, but bananas are my personal favorite.
382733
I have the same problem.  Doctor says it is caused by a lack of potassium, calcium, and not enough hydration.  I started eating a banana just before bedtime, and I make myself drink more water and Gatorade throughout the day, and I am not having those twitchy leg problems at night anymore.
245605
Hello,\nThat used to happen with me. I think it happens due to dehydration. Now it doesnt happen much, very rarely. Try drinking more water. It can also be caused if ur shoes do not fit u well. That way, we tend to bend our toes so that we get a good grip on the shoe and that can cause cramps...