Leg cramps

[pingu748]

Got woken up in the night with agonising cramp in my calf ... is this a sign of something worse ... or did I just sleep awkard ?

I have heard of older people getting night cramps but is it normal for a 35yr old ?

Does fitness (or lack of it !) play any part ? Or dehydration ?

[RATTER15]

Just one of those things that happen on occasion's i expect, smoking is a known cause of cramps in the lower part of the body

[Carakeel]

pingu, don't be too alarmed, the occasional leg cramp at night is perfectly normal. I can happen to people of all ages, even children. Have a look at this web site. It will answer all your questions.

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068794/

[Carakeel]

Morning Ratter, you ok? You're on early. Make us a cuppa will ya?

[zipadeedodah]

I wouldn't worry at all - I expect it will just be a one off. I remember a year or so ago waking up in the middle of the night with bad cramp in one of my calves. In the morning my leg really ached from it. I havn't ever had it since though, it was just one of those things.

[Cetti]

As RATTER says smoking could be a cause, as I don't think age has anything to do with it pingu. My husband once fell out of bed with the pain, rolling about on the floor - and he was only about 26 at the time.

I'm ashamed to say I couldn't stop laughing at his contortions!

[freak_unique]

Hey i am 21 and i get this, i have stages where i will get it like 4 nights in a row and then it stops. Id wake up and stretch my leg and it would completely lock up and i would be in agony and have to lie there unable to move for a few seconds until the muscle loosens and the pain stops. I actually posted this on here a while ago. They say eating bananas helps and they contain pottasium which helps prevent cramps

[lindapinda]

Strong or black coffee gives me terrible cramps.Also,dark chocolate.Dehydration will certainly cause cramps too.

[patsyann]

A small glass of tonic water works wonders.Contains Quinine which dampens down cramp but needs to be taken before going to bed if the cramps become frequent.If your cramp was a one-off then it will not help.

[beejaybee]

It can also be caused by the lack of calcium. My dad used to get cramp & he used to get reilief by standing on a cold floor. With all the central heating now, this may be diffucult. You could fill a bottle up with ice cold water & roll your feet on it. Does the trick.

[pingu748]

Thank you all ... plenty to go on there ... will try the quinine in the tonic water 1st ... lets just hope the Gin helps too !!

[lynneylou]

make sure your legs are warm. when the cramp starts try not to tense but deep breaths like in labour, it goes so much quicker then.

[pickalily]

The best advice I was given is to immediately lift up your toes as high as you can .Using just your muscles (i.e. not physically lift toes with hand) .Easy to show hard to explain! I think it pulls your muscle the other way so it doesn't tense or lock. It works almost instantly .One of the best pieces of information I have ever been given.