Nocturnal Cramps

 Nocturnal leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the calves, soles of the feet, or other muscles in the body during the night . The duration of nocturnal leg cramps is highly variable with cramps sometimes only lasting a few seconds and other times several minutes. Soreness in the muscles may remain for some time after the cramp ends. These cramps are more common in older people but may happen to anyone.

The precise cause of these cramps is unclear. Potential contributing factors are believed to include dehydration, low levels of certain minerals, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium, and the reduced blood flow through the muscles attendant in prolonged sitting , such as long drives, or lying down. Less common causes include more serious conditions or the use of drugs. The use of diuretic drugs for high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease  result in electrolyte imbalance which may cause muscle cramps. Statins are also know to cause myalgia and cramps.

Quinine was often used to relieve cramps, however, its use has been connected to a number of adverse events and fatalities. Serious adverse events have included cardiac arrhythmias, thrombocytopenia, and severe hypersensitivity reactions; potentially serious interactions with other drugs can also occur.Because of this the FDA has ordered the removal of unapproved drugs containing quinine, and it is now a prescription only drug. Many people have found that the minute amount of quinine in tonic water has relieved cramps, but again the consistent use of tonic water for cramps may compromise health.

To relieve nocturnal leg cramps, stretching the leg as much as you can, and pointing the toes upwards, dorsiflex, while squeezing and releasing the muscle will restore blood flow and relax the spasm. Rubbing the muscle with ice for a few minutes will help relieve the spasm. Pinching your upper lip with your finger and thumb can vanish a nocturnal leg cramp in seconds.http://www.sleep-problems-nomore.com/wordpress provides a very unusual solution for leg cramps. Also rubbing the affected muscle with the essential oil of lavender, undiluted, works a treat. Lavender oil has many uses, relieving cramps is only one of them. The tissue salts, calc phos 6x and mag phos 6x relieve leg cramps. Mag phos 6x does a power of good with menstrual cramps.

Eating foods high in potassium can help prevent muscle cramps. Foods with high sources of potassium include : avocados, potatoes, bananas, broccoli, orange juice, soybeans and apricots, although it is also common in most fruits, vegetables, sardines, herring, dates, rasins, milk, nuts, and sunflower seeds. 

Heat cramps, following copious sweating and great thirst without and elevation in body temperature may frequently occur during intense physical exercise in hot humid weather.These types of cramps are a direct result of a sweat induced electrolyte imbalance, which has been compounded by a massive intake of water to quench the huge thirst. Muscle cramps may also develop from a lack of oxygen supply to the muscle and a build up of waste from exercise.

Wall push-ups before bedtime stretches the calf muscles, this exercise has also helped cure nocturnal cramps.

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