Night
Cramps
Night Cramps are
horrible painful cramps that grip your leg, just as
you are about to fall asleep.
Muscles contract when you turn or stretch during sleep and
if they stay contracted, you experience cramp, usually in
your legs and calves.
The cause of night cramps is not known.
Imbalances of minerals such as calcium, potassium and
magnesium are possible triggers, as is a vitamin E
deficiency.
Self Help Measures
include:
- Supplementing your diet with magnesium, calcium and
vitamin E supplements.
- Rubbing your calves briskly, using upward
strokes.
- Sleeping on your side with your knees bent up and a
pillow placed between them.
- Stand about a metre away from the wall, with your
feet facing it. Keep your heels flat and your legs
straight. Lean into the wall, supporting yourself with
your hands. Hold on for 10 seconds and repeat several
times.
- Soak your feet in a warm foot bath with a cup of
Epsom salts for about half an hour shortly before going
to bed. You can add some chamomile and lavender
essential oils if you want. Your feet will absorb the
magnesium it needs from the Epsom salts.
With these measures you will hopefully no longer leap
out of bed in agony with night cramps!
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