A Banana daily for the magnesium in it used to ward off the nighttime leg cramps. Now a Magnesium and Calcium combined supplement seems to help. When it doesn't; one, Ibuprofen (400mg) helps. This has been an intermittent problem from my 40 to 70's and each time it returns it is more severe and covers larger areas of the arms and leg muscles. Particularly in wet or humid weather.
I was getting very severe muscle cramps in my legs and above my knees. They would tighten up and hurt so bad I couldn't do anything but scream and rub my leg. I had it so bad one night, if I could have gotten up to get my gun, I would have used it! [I think] After I stopped using ALL sweeteners [not real sugar] my leg cramps stopped. However, recently I have been getting them again due to my lack of Potassium. I was put on 40 MG of Lasix. There is something one can take that is guaranteed for milder leg cramps or “Charlie Horse" as I've heard it referred too. Quinine really works!! One of my problems is I don't drink enough liquids! Hope this helps someone, because I can't think of anything more painful then muscle cramps in the keg or thigh-at least the kind I was getting!
Comment from: Loover, 75 or over Male (Patient)Published: August 21
I began having leg cramps as a teenager, especially in the thigh muscles. I could get no help from doctors, but I asked a naturopathic doctor about it. His research turned up the idea that it is a result of a deficiency of Vitamin E. At that time, Vitamin E was not available, but he recommended a spoonful of wheat germ oil each day. That helped immensely. After Vitamin E became available, I found that I need at least 800 I.U. per day. Others will have to experiment to find their best dosage. I am now 82 and this has been my experience.
Comment from: jeffsim, 65-74 Male (Patient)Published: August 21
Magnesium taken twice a day seems to help my muscle cramps. Statins seem to increase the cramps.
Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: August 07
I have cramps almost every night in my feet and sometimes in my calves. I try sleeping with socks on to keep my feet warm, which seems to help some, but the only way I get rid of the cramps when they start is to get up and drink dill pickle juice.
Published: July 17
I am a 73 year old female. I had leg cramps really bad for years. They now penetrate up my thigh clear up to my crotch. The only thing that will relieve them is a heating pad. I keep one handy. I take quinine. It is available and your doctor can get it for you. I take calcium, potassium and many other vitamins and minerals. I had not had a cramp in more than four years and about a week ago I had a really bad one. I can only scream and hop to get the heating pad. I can't even sit on the toilet. I had skipped a couple of my quinine, trying to stretch them out and hadn't realized how many times I had skipped. It works for me.
Published: July 11
Some nights leg cramps appear out of nowhere, waking me up. I get leg muscle spasms where my toes curl and hurt like the dickens. I find immediate relief from two flexible ice packs handy at all times. I place them where the cramps are hurting the most, underneath the calf of the legs, underneath my feet, and within a few minutes they relax and disappear. Then I follow up with taking potassium, magnesium and calcium pills.
I stretch the muscles if possible and sometimes take a pinch of table salt under my tongue for leg cramps if they are severe and recurring. My hand cramps only occur with repetitive use and stop when stretched. I am 62 years old and believe this is a part of aging.
Published: July 07
For years, my night cramps were generally controlled with quinine pills taken before going to bed. But since they are no longer available, I have been taking a glass of tonic water -- minus the gin -- about an hour before bedtime. This has worked pretty well for me. I still have occasional nights of walking the floors, but it has greatly improved.
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Through a complex process food is broken up, the necessary nutrients are
absorbed, and the waste products are excreted. A disruption in any part of this
process can lead to deficiencies, diseases, or even death.
From the moment that food enters the mouth digestion begins. Food is broken
up in the mouth, and moistened with saliva that also contains digestive enzymes.
The food will go through the esophagus to the stomach where it is stored and
mixed. It then passes into the small intestine where majority of the nutrient
absorption takes place. The small intestine is a long, narrow tube that extends
from the stomach to the large intestines. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
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intestine, also k...
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A Banana daily for the magnesium in it used to ward off the nighttime leg cramps. Now a Magnesium and Calcium combined supplement seems to help. When it doesn't; one, Ibuprofen (400mg) helps. This has been an intermittent problem from my 40 to 70's and each time it returns it is more severe and covers larger areas of the arms and leg muscles. Particularly in wet or humid weather.
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