How to Prevent Painful Night Leg Cramps

Nighttime leg cramps can be an agonizing way to wake up. Leg cramps happen to us all and most of the time it is infrequent, but it is definitely memorable. Knowing when you are likely to experience a leg cramp and its causes can help you to prevent these rude and painful awakenings in the middle of the night.

Things You'll Need

• ice pack
• heating pad
• over-the-counter leg cramp pills containing quinine
• water

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Instructions

• 1

  Hydrate your body with plenty of water, particularly when you are going to be unusually active during the day. Cramps can be a sign of dehydration. Older people have a greater number of nighttime leg cramps and they are also prone to not getting enough water; this is because they are trying to avoid numerous trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

• 2

  Eat foods to keep your body in prime condition. Lack of potassium, calcium, and magnesium can all result in leg cramps according to the National Institute of Health. Besides dairy products, calcium is available in broccoli, anchovies, almonds, and sardines. Some potassium-containing foods are bananas, apricots, raisins, and baked potato with skin. Foods rich in magnesium are nuts, whole grains, and beans.

• 3

  Wear high-quality sturdy shoes. Leg cramps are common in people with flat feet and other structural foot problems.

• 4

  Stretching your leg muscles gently before retiring to bed each night will help them to relax and make you less likely to suffer from a cramp, according to the Mayo Clinic