What could cause leg cramps in the middle of the night?
446928
An abscence of healthy salts in your system could be causing the leg cramps.\n\nTry drinking 1 tblspoon of sea salt in a tall glass of distilled water three times a day.
788004
It's not that odd and more common than you think.\n\nFirst, consult with your doctor to see if there are any medical conditions that this could be a side effect of.\n\nIn the meantime, potassium is your friend, particularly if you restless legs ever manifest cramps or 'charlie horses'.  The quickest way to get potassium into your system is drink a large glass of orange juice, it almost is immediately absorbed due to the liquid form, with bananas taking second place.  Taking potassium and calcium supplements regularly will also lessen the occasions, but if it starts up, hit the orange juice as soon as possible.\n\nThey also are recent medications for restless leg syndrome, both over the counter and by prescription.\n\nUntil you sort everything out with your doctor and/or find that drinking OJ, eating potassium rich foods, and taking supplements don't work, I wouldn't go straight for the medication.\n\nStretching and walking around also help if you're suddenly hit with an attack.  Hit the OJ, walk around the house a bit, do light leg stretches (and other body parts too as sometimes the 'restless' part can hit other parts of your body).
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
232567
I also have had leg cramps, my doctor told me I needed more potassium in my diet i.e. bananas and such.  Hope this helps!
930050
Yes, too much iron isn't good, but the leg cramps are from a lack of magnesium in your diet. It is need for normal muscle function along with other things. To find out the best supplements on the market go to Amazon and order a copy of Lyle MacWilliams Guide to nutritional supplements. It tells you how most over the counter supplements perform in real tests.
182659
Typically leg cramping is caused by a tendency for the muscle to be a little tighter that it should.  The more common reason is if there is an imbalance of the electrolytes in your blood stream.  Calcium/magnesium supplements can help, as well as drinking more water and stretching.
853428
80 percent of the time doctors relate cramps and muscle cramps, as a lack of not drinking enough.  Water  is a lubricant, for our body. Actually, cranberry juice is just as important. For 2 months drink  your fill. eight glasses of water and cranberry juice only.If the cramps wake you a nite especially. Relax a little, prop  your legs up on a  moist heating to increase your circulation. Also massage them,with a moisturing lotion> Always massage going down to ur feet. This will get ur circulation up to par
548268
So many things could be causing your cramp.  Aloe Vera is very soothing to both the stomach and the nerves.  I would try adding 1/2 cup of the juice to orange juice and drinking that a couple of times daily.  You could also visit an herb store near you and get muscle tested to discover what is causing the problem.
227051
Natural Ways to Ways to Cure and Prevent Leg Cramps - More Than Home Remedies\nIf you get a leg cramp (or charley horse), the quickest way to get rid of it is to walk on the leg. If the person can't get up and walk on the leg, either heat or ice along with massage will help.\n\nDrinking two ounces of natural apple cider vinegar has been reported to relieve involuntary muscle contractions or cramping in 35 seconds.\n\nBut, if you get leg cramps often, the best thing is to prevent them from happening in the first place.\n\nTaking calcium  and magnesium supplements (or calcium magnesium combination) and eating a banana daily prevent most leg cramps. If this alone does not do the trick, these will help increase circulation: Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. And, zinc helps your body absorb the calcium and regulate the B vitamins.\n\nLeg cramps caused by insufficient fluid intake are prevented by drinking about eight glasses of water each day.\n\nLeg cramps that occur during or after vigorous exercise can be prevented by eating a few bites of something salty and drinking at least half a glass of water before, during and after exerting yourself.
124015
You talkin' about cramps? Lack of potassium will cause it, bananas are full of potassium. But a good way to get rid of one is to stand up on it (I used to get them in bed and it would wake me up) until it goes away.
224397
Could be restless leg syndrome. I would ask a doctor.
583429
Ok, this is going to sound weird but....if you have leg cramps when you sleep, toss a bar of soap between the sheets.  Doesn't have to be fancy soap, a bar of Ivory soap will do.  EVERY person who has tried this has found relief.  I don't know why they only occur at night.
132341
You should go to your doctor and get a sleep test done (a polysomnogram). There could be somethings going on at night that you aren't aware of. Things that are disturbing your sleep and making you tired. It could be Restless Leg Syndrome, Sleep Apnea or a Circadian Rhythm Disorder. Go this this website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html\n\nto learn more.\n\nGood luck.
80880
I don't know your history from that short blurb, but it can be a number of things, including possible vascular problems. If you are having pain at rest, it could be rather serious. Do you hang your leg off the bed at night to relieve the pain? Don't wait, make an appointment.
121237
It could be a muscle cramp\nwho knows
264023
I had the same problem for years and years, it's horrible and I was unable to point my toes or curl them , but I would awaken every one or two hours with cramps in my left calf. Prozac 20 milligrams has helped me to be able to do what I couldn't and I used Ambien (expensive though) to sleep. The Prozac might give you headaches when you're awake as well as nausea but for me it was worth it in order to stop the spasm/ cramps in my legs and be able to sleep a whole night through.
74598
Leg cramps are caused by a lack of B12 and calcium