In some people, the calf and other leg muscles go into spasm while they are sleeping — causing them to wake during the night.
Though it may help (though painful) to walk the cramps off, they disrupt sleep and prevention is a better answer.
Causes
Nutritional deficiencies, tight calf muscles or cold feet can all contribute to night time leg cramps.
Treatment
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Therapies & Advice
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Stretch
Stretch your calf muscles before you go to sleep. This can be done by pulling your toes towards you when you’re sitting on your bed.
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Keep Your Feet Warm
Wearing socks at night can also help because cold feet will sometimes be a trigger.
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"Odd" Bar of Soap Trick
Interestingly, several readers of Dr. Peter Gott’s medical column have noted that leaving a bar of soap under their bed sheet stopped their leg cramps.
It seems odd, but it is cheap, safe, and easy to try — and has been working for folks! (I have no idea why it works.)
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Recommended Supplements
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Potassium
Supplement with potassium. This can be done by prescription or by eating a banana and/or drinking 12 to 16 oz (360-480 cc) of V8 or tomato juice daily.
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Calcium
Take calcium 500 mg at bedtime. It must contain magnesium and vitamin D in the calcium tablet.
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Magnesium
Take magnesium 200 mg plus B complex (or simply add a multi-nutrient powder for overall nutritional support).
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Medications
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Quinine
Although the FDA recommends against its use, taking a Quinine tablet 200 to 300 mg before bedtime can help in severe and refractory cases.
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