Like many things in life, cramps get worse as we age. They become more frequent, and they begin to appear with only the slightest provocation, like lying on one's back in bed. What can be done? NPR reports that researchers at Stanford recently completed an evidence-based
review of treatments for muscle cramps.Unfortunately, that review produced little evidence of reliable remedies.The researchers looked at hundreds of studies but found no conclusive or compelling evidence
that any particular treatment would work for all or even most patients.
But wait. Good news comes from Dr. Robert Miller, a neurologist who specializes in muscle cramps at the
California Pacific Medical Center and teaches at University of
California, San Francisco. NPR reports that at 68, Miller is a candidate for cramps himself, but he keeps them at
bay by eating a banana a day and drinking lots of water. The
banana provides electrolytes with its magnesium, potassium and calcium.
The water provides fluid. Fluid and electrolytes, Miller tells NPR, have never been proved to decrease muscle cramps, but they do seem to help him.
statins should be high on the list for a cause of cramps
Try a bar of soap in the bed at night. Place the soap under the bottom bed sheet. Try it you have nothing to lose.
Dr. R
Agree with Dr Miller. I also found that snacking a particular chip on long day hikes has eliminated the leg cramps I used to get after the first 7-8 miles. Don’t want to mention the Brand here, but they’re the only chips I’ve found with high Potassium (400+ mg)and low Sodium (100+ mg). Also use an electrolyte replacement drink and supplement with Magnesium in addition to my multi vit.
My father-in-law swears by a teaspoon of baking soda in a small glass of warm water as a cure for muscle cramps, and it seems to work.
From family experience, calcium with vitamin D eliminates both leg and severe menstrual cramps. It is hard to believe this is not demonstrable in a controlled test.
On that subject, I think we should work toward an FDA or other regulatory test that evaluates medicines/drugs and other non-medical/drug treatments against specific conditions or symptoms with a protective bias toward treatments that have no monetarily motivated advocate. Now that would reduce health costs – especially in those indirect costs caused by the side effects of unnecessary drug use – which I suspect may be much larger than we imagine.
The bars of soap work, don’t leave home without them!
The soap works for me, no soap; cramps!
I drink a small bottle of Gatorade per day to help my cramps. Tried the soap, didn’t work.
Gatorade=Banana+Water
Electrolyte Replacement Drinks are way better than water.
(make your own)
Ca/Mg=Rolaids@bedtime & help sleep
Vit D = improves on everything these days (just like old-fashioned-freebie exercise)
Try over tbe counter med, Calcium-Magnesium and Zinc. iT DOES WORK.
As an orthopedic surgeon , I see alot of people who have cramping and I have always suggested calcium, vit d and water as a remedy. As I have become older I now experience sever adductor leg cramps, usually related to walking 18 holes of golf in hot weather or working 6 to 8 hours in the garden in a day. I find that any electrolyte drink along with large amounts of water seem to prevent the night cramps. Hydration is probably the most important as our body can regulate mineral loss through renal function.
I hsven’t had a charlie horse since I took my first glass of tonic water. I started drinking it at the recommendation of a person who had success with it. Try it. It works. I ran it by a couple of my Doctors who said that tonic water is all we have to offer.
My doctor suggested tonic water (without gin) when I had severe cramps – cramps no more!
After trying meds for my cramps,and worse yet, my restless legs at night, I began taking 800 mg of magnesium a day and also B6 which helps the body absorb the magnesium. WITHING 4 DAYS I was free of both problems. I sleep the night through now. Amazing but absolutely true.