9/12/2008 4:07:13 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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danguitarman
Redding, CA
age: 55
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I keep waking up from a sound sleep with very painful cramps in my calf muscle. Sometimes the right calf, sometimes the left calf. I've been doing stretchs and exercizes every night before going to bed. So when I go to bed my calf muscles are very warm and filled with blood. I thought that this would prevent the cramping but its still going on. I have moved my bed and am sleeping with my head slighty higher than my feet. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
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9/13/2008 3:19:57 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alicekathleen
Sacramento, CA
age: 63
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Hi Dan, a couple things about this common ailment. First, make sure you are hydrated. Try some stretches and
massage before bed. There are even herbs and supplements that some use for this condition. Try green tea,
often, and in the evening. Rather than elevating the head, try a pillow under the legs, just give it a try.
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9/13/2008 4:22:42 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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danguitarman
Redding, CA
age: 55
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Hi Alice. Someone else told me over the phone that I might be low on electrolytes, especially sodium. So last night I ate a can of black olives and a can of pozole (mexican soup with pork and hominy and quite salty) for my last meal a couple of hours before bedtime. I had NO CRAMPS! Its been very hot here and I walk a lot, as you know, and I might have been failing to replace the sodium I'm losing to sweat. I love those canned olive. This affliction might have given me a new habit to love; eating a can of black olives every night. Yum!
[Edited 9/13/2008 4:23:24 PM]
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9/13/2008 7:07:30 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alicekathleen
Sacramento, CA
age: 63
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Try the bottled water with electrolytes to save on the fats. They are very popular here (just water, no flavors or
sugars) and sell for 1.00 each. You could consider coconut water, too. Hydration is the key word here.
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9/13/2008 7:11:16 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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danguitarman
Redding, CA
age: 55
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Thanks Alice. It is hard to avoid the high fructose corn syrip and still get the electrolytes. I will try. Congratulations on reaching your post number 2500! Yahoooo!
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9/14/2008 1:39:23 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alicekathleen
Sacramento, CA
age: 63
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Such is the pleasure of retirement. I have also rented over 1,ooo videos at Blockbuster. But back to legs, it is a
common problem as you know for those of us in the prime of life! Many people don't want to drink alot at night
as that means awakening to use bathroom, but it's vital to drink plenty when exercising. When I was working, I
did 1/2 of my work out in the morning before work, and the remainder in the evening. I was fortunate enough
to work for a company which offered a free 24 hr gym for workers, and it was just steps from my office. Best
part of my job.
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9/14/2008 7:25:47 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alawishs
Eugene, OR
age: 67
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dang .... have you checked out the result of magnesium deficency. It affects the muscles & cramps, just a thought.
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9/16/2008 3:13:30 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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danguitarman
Redding, CA
age: 55
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I've increased the amount of sodium in my diet by eating canned soups and olives every day and I haven't had a leg cramp since. I really think my sodium was too depleted. Its funny because when I ran my business I had a problem with high blood pressure and learned to do without adding salt to foods and to avoid high sodium foods. Now I'm retired and I walk alot in the Redding heat and I guess I need more sodium.
Thank you for the advice about the magnesium. I don't know anything about it but they add it to the calcium carbonate thats in Rolaids which I take sometimes as a calcium and magnesium supplement.
Did anybody read about that woman who ran a 26 mile marathon and right afterwords she dropped dead from lack of sodium? That should be a wake up call. When I was in summer camp as a kid they gave us each a salt pill before we went on a hike. Were people smarter then and we all dumbed down?
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9/16/2008 7:57:20 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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elvyra
Conroe, TX
age: 57
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No offense but rolaids is not a good way to supplement. Rolaids has a bad effect of increasing the stomach acids that you are continually decreasing. The body will add more acid because you keep neutralizing it. Check the eat right for your blood type diet if you have stomach acid problems. You may be eating foods that are too acidic for you. Also, leg cramps can come from calcium deficiencies as well.
A good mineral supplement is especially good. Take one that does not have iron in it. Iron blocks the absorption of calcium. Source Naturals Life Minerals has an iron free supplement that really does me quite well. And I am pretty sure they are low in any calorie input. The olives may help by giving you some minerals. That reminds me, I need to buy some more minerals.
Did you know that sea salt has some minerals already present and if you are able to use salt in your food, that would be the best. I have read several sources that claim Redmond Real Salt is the best for minerals.
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9/17/2008 2:55:15 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alicekathleen
Sacramento, CA
age: 63
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In this climate, coconut juice is sold by the case. It is naturally high in potassium (more than banana) and certainly
better than Gatorade. Most people get way too much salt. I have a low sodium diet, and do not eat fast or
processed food, canned food, etc. When I do, it tastes like pure salt to me. Even nut butters can be found
without salt or grind your own. Leg cramps are common at this age due to time and gravity. Hydration, massage,
and a healthy diet are best, but that is my own opinion of course. Some like to take various herbs, I believe it is
horse tail (?) which is marketed for leg cramps, so if Dan does his research and talks to herbalist, that is an option.
Olives and salty soups are fine once in a blue moon, but as a steady diet, I would think not. Consider how our
ancestors ate, how animals eat, and one sees that tons of salt is not "natural". Best clue is to listen to body,
it tells us when more is needed, whether of meat, veggies, or salts. Listening to body is key, and most of us
rush through our days and our workouts. This is where a mindful exercise like Pilates, yoga, weight work
(not with loud music or done quickly but done mindfully) is beneficial. Again, just my opinion, not saying
it is anything but that.
[Edited 9/17/2008 2:56:28 AM]
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9/17/2008 8:55:46 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alawishs
Eugene, OR
age: 67
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If one really wants to know what minerals the body is or isn't getting, a blood test can confirm that. I ask my doctor for one rather than just have him suggest I take posstium pills. I was within range of all the mineral when tested.
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9/17/2008 12:53:59 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alicekathleen
Sacramento, CA
age: 63
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Good idea.
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9/18/2008 9:36:16 PM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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elvyra
Conroe, TX
age: 57
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There is a health food store near me that does tests for nutrition. There may be one near you as well that can show what you may be lacking.
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9/19/2008 6:29:37 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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alawishs
Eugene, OR
age: 67
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elv .... how do they test, doing a hair sample?
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9/23/2008 1:58:20 AM |
Can I Prevent Leg Cramps? |
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danguitarman
Redding, CA
age: 55
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I'm going to check out the health food store for mineral deficiency testing as Elvyra suggested. Thank you Elvyra. And I'm going to look for coconut juice in the 99 Cent store. That sounds alot better than Gatorade. Thank you Alice. But I swear that I've been eating a can of black olives every day and haven't had a leg cramp since I started doing that. The leg cramping was CHRONIC and quite painful and kept me from sleeping so I'm very happy that it seems to be over. I've been reading about olives and they seem to be a storehouse of minerals. I just got lucky. I was looking for something salty and there they were in my cabinet. Olive oil is also filled with minerals. I think that it is so much better to get these nutrients from food rather than supplements. Thank you all for the wonderful advice. Sincerely.
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