Having leg cramps is never a pleasurable experience, it's downright painful! It's even worse when leg cramps strike when you are trying to sleep. They can wake you up out with a jolt and keep you up for hours. Leg cramps can also strike during the day, making walking uncomfortable. Regardless of when they happen, there are things you can do to relieve leg cramps.
Drink Plenty of Water
Your first line of defense is to make sure that you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. This keeps everything in your body moving along. Aim for eight glasses of water per day, or at least as many as you can. Just do your best to make sure you're getting a lot of water. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst and cramping, so it makes sense that staying hydrated will help to relieve leg cramps.
Magnesium Supplements
Many people have found that taking magnesium supplements helps. A few researchers have found a link between leg cramps and a magnesium deficiency. A natural magnesium supplement may be the answer.
Check Your Prescription Medications
If you are on any kind of prescription then you should check the label carefully to see what the potential side effects are. There are medications that can cause muscle cramps, and some medicines can lower the level of potassium, magnesium or calcium in your body. Dehydration is also a possible side effect of a few prescription drugs. Be sure to discuss any of your concerns with your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep Active
Many times leg cramps are caused by a lack of activity, or from not going through their full range of motion. Doing stretches is one way to solve this problem. One stretch to help relieve leg cramps is to stand about two to three feet from a wall and put your hands on the wall. Start doing a push-up like motion, but keep your feet completely flat on the floor. If it feels like it is stretching too much, then move a bit closer to the wall; if you can't feel any stretching, then move back a bit. Be careful to not overdo it.
Pressure Point
If despite all of your best efforts, you end up needing to relieve leg cramps at night, then try this little trick. Place your finger directly on your upper lip and press gently. This is a pressure point that is connected to your leg, and can bring enough relief to get you to drift back to sleep. Chances are the other remedies will work just fine, but it's always good to have another trick up your sleeve when you need it most!
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