Done yesterday (20110104 We)

[mdlbear]

Not all that good a day. I woke up with a painful cramp in my right calf -- this has happened before, I don't know what causes it, and I don't like it. At least, after the first few steps, it didn't hurt to walk. But in the afternoon after I did walk about half a mile, which

Comments

[acelightning]

Leg cramps that come on while one is sleeping are fairly common - I've had them off and on for most of my life. There seem to be three factors involved: First, when you sleep, your position and the pressure of the covers tend to make you extend your feet in a "pointing your toes" position. This is effected by the contraction of the calf muscle, and if it's constantly contracted, it can go into spasm. Second, if you've been walking or otherwise exercising your legs more than usual, that can also lead to muscle spasms. Third, there seems to be a relationship between electrolytes (magnesium and calcium, I think), dehydration, and muscle cramps. Oh, and I often find that I get them more if I've had a bit to drink before I go to sleep. Alcohol is a muscle relaxant, so I think there's a paradoxical effect - the leg muscles relax too much, and then contract too much when the alcohol wears off.

I still haven't quite figured out what causes "shin splints" - painful spasms in the muscles on the front of the lower leg - but it's got to be

[technoshaman]

*nods* potassium/magnesium/calcium balance is very important. Tricky part for me is figuring out *which* I've got too little of.

[acelightning]

Often, though, I know that it's not an electrolyte imbalance. It's either that the bottom of the bed-covers is tucked in too tight, and/or my leg muscles were either overstressed or over-relaxed when I went to sleep. Or maybe the leg-cramp fairy just happened to be in the neighborhood :-(

[judifilksign]

I often eat bananas to ward off those kinds of cramps. Being dehydrated can trigger them, too, so drinking water before bedtime can help, too.

Once you've had one, stretch before going to bed the next night, because "rebound" cramps often follow.

[mdlbear]

I don't like bananas at all; fortunately prunes have twice as much potassium, and potatoes four times as much. I often reach for potato chips when I know I've been sweating off electrolytes. Unfortunately the cramps tend to happen just as I'm getting up.