Why You Have Night-Time Leg Cramps And How To STOP It From Recurring With This ONE Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Why You Have Night-Time Leg Cramps And How To STOP It From Recurring With This ONE Recipe!? ›

It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night.

It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night.

Most of the time, there's no known cause for night leg cramps. In general, they're likely the result of tired muscles and nerve problems. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Pregnant people also are more likely to have night leg cramps.

There's evidence—although much of it is mixed—that calcium, magnesium, and potassium imbalances play a part in cramping. Each of these electrolytes helps maintain fluid balance in the blood and muscles, and so it makes some sense that, if they're out of whack, cramping may ensue.

Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.

Electrolyte-containing drinks may help with leg cramps, but there's no proof that they work for everyone. There's no best electrolyte drink for leg cramps. But sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte, and coconut water may all help ease leg cramps by replacing electrolytes lost from sweat.

Avoid processed foods, added sugar, salt, fatty meats, and alcohol. Essentially, you want a heart-healthy diet low in fat and rich in healthy carbohydrates, fiber, and lean proteins.

You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.

What gets rid of leg cramps fast? ›

Acetic acid is postulated to mitigate cramping by decreasing alpha motor neuron activity through oropharyngeal stimulation and inhibitory neurotransmitter production, while aiding in the role acetylcholine plays in muscle contraction and relaxation.

Seek medical care right away if you have:

Severe cramping that continues. Night leg cramps after coming into contact with a toxin, such as lead.

Medical treatment for muscle cramps

Muscle relaxant medications may be used over the short term in certain situations to relax muscle cramps due to an injury or other temporary event. These medications include cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), orphenadrine (Norflex), and baclofen (Lioresal).

It's possible that these cramps may indicate you're experiencing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). "PAD is a progressive narrowing of the blood vessels that may be a warning sign that you're at risk for having a stroke or heart attack.

Coconut water

Coconut water is a go-to choice for athletes looking to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes naturally — and for good reason. It's an excellent source of electrolytes, providing calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus — all of which may help decrease muscle cramping ( 10 ).

“The best sleeping position for people with leg pain is on their back with a pillow slightly elevating their knees,” advises Jordan Duncan, chiropractor and owner of Silverdale Sport & Spine, a clinic that specializes in difficult-to-treat musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Drinking carrot and orange juice will not only deliver a healthy dose of vitamin C but also come loaded with magnesium and potassium, which alleviate painful cramps and contractions. These two fruits pair well as a whole juice, but you can also drink plain orange or plain carrot for similar results.