Most people who suffer an occasional leg cramp grin and bear it, knowing the pain will soon subside and be forgotten. But what about those agonizing, long-lasting cramps that seem to go on forever? Is there any remedy for these?
Unfortunately there is a long list of causes for leg cramps, and the cause is often very difficult to diagnose. Anyone suffering from severe leg cramps should be checked by a physician to make sure the cramps are not due to P.A.D. (peripheral artery disease) or some other serious undiagnosed problem.
Other less dangerous causes of leg cramps may be:
1. Dehydration.
The body does not function quite right if it is not well-hydrated. Try drinking extra fluids, especially water, when leg cramps most frequently show up. A little massage in the affected area may also help.
2. Too much exercise, or not enough exercise.
Most people not in danger of overdoing the exercise, but fatigue by the type of exercise you participate in may bring on cramps even when you do not exercise for long periods of time. If you aren’t exercising much, start gradually, adding a little more each day.
3. Overweight.
Too many pounds for your body is probably the culprit in the large majority of leg cramps that become serious enough to lead to a visit to the doctor. The cure for this problem is to lose some of those pounds.
4. Side effects from medicine.
Side effects from over-the-counter medicine as well as from prescription medicine can be responsible for occasional episodes of leg cramps. Be sure to read all the drug information that comes with your prescription or over-the-counter medicine to see if leg cramps are an indicated side effect, and be sure to keep your doctor informed of any medications you are taking.
5. Electrolyte imbalances.
If none of the above reasons seem to be at the bottom of your leg cramps, ask your doctor to perform blood work to see whether or not your electrolytes are working properly. An imbalance of electrolytes can cause a lot of different health problems.
Most people suffering from severe leg cramps want a remedy, now. Here are a few things that you can try at home
1. Use massage and warm compresses on the affected area.
These are temporary, measures but often do the job. Even a warm bath can be helpful.
2. Stretch the muscles in the painful area.
If the cramp is in your foot, rise up on your toes and back down. Standing a few inches from a wall and bending until your knees touch the wall over and over again is a favorite remedy with many people. Just walking is sometimes beneficial.
3. Make dietary adjustments.
Doctors usually recommend eating a banana a day or taking a Potassium pill on a regular basis to combat leg cramps. A number of years ago, doctors regularly prescribed quinine pills. These pills are no longer available on the market, but you can buy Tonic Water with a trace of quinine at any super-market and many people attest to its ability to banish leg cramps. Health food stores have pills containing minute amounts of quinine designed to relieve leg cramps and usually have clerks who are well-versed in the products they carry, and who can help you find just what you need.
The important thing is that you don’t give up. What works for one person does not always work for another, so keep on looking until you find the cure that works for you and banish those leg cramps for good.
*If you are unable to find homeopathic pills at a health food store in your area, check them out on Amazon.
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