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leg cramps
Apr. 1st, 2018 01:56 pmBack in my 30's, I got a cramp in my leg, one night in bed. I had stretched out my foot, with the toes pointed, when the calf muscle seemed to seize up. I finally figured out to manually grab my foot and bring it up. The pain subsided quickly.
Years later it happened again. Then again, after not so many years. Then it started happening every few months. Over time, it because less easy to fix. A couple of months ago it happened and when I pulled up on my foot, the muscle would not release. Over time it slowly relaxed. And the pain lasted longer. The leg felt stiff all day. It happened yesterday morning, and it stayed painful for quite a while. That leg didn't want to support any weight, so I was limping around for a while. Every time I got up after sitting for a while, it would hurt again. Obviously, I needed to work it to get the kinks out.
Looking them up, I find that they increase with age. A cause that's commonly listed is dehydration. But many sources say that the link hasn't been proven. And I think I get enough water. Some sources say potassium is key but few reputable sites mention that, so I think maybe that's one of those anecdotal things. Magnesium is something that is mentioned sometimes on reputable sites. I also find that the Omeprazole I'm taking may have a role in magnesium shortage. But I didn't notice an increase in the number of cramps I experienced, after I started taking that.
It sounds like exercise and stretching is the best preventive measure and cure.
Years later it happened again. Then again, after not so many years. Then it started happening every few months. Over time, it because less easy to fix. A couple of months ago it happened and when I pulled up on my foot, the muscle would not release. Over time it slowly relaxed. And the pain lasted longer. The leg felt stiff all day. It happened yesterday morning, and it stayed painful for quite a while. That leg didn't want to support any weight, so I was limping around for a while. Every time I got up after sitting for a while, it would hurt again. Obviously, I needed to work it to get the kinks out.
Looking them up, I find that they increase with age. A cause that's commonly listed is dehydration. But many sources say that the link hasn't been proven. And I think I get enough water. Some sources say potassium is key but few reputable sites mention that, so I think maybe that's one of those anecdotal things. Magnesium is something that is mentioned sometimes on reputable sites. I also find that the Omeprazole I'm taking may have a role in magnesium shortage. But I didn't notice an increase in the number of cramps I experienced, after I started taking that.
It sounds like exercise and stretching is the best preventive measure and cure.
