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Suggest Treatment For Leg Cramps
Question: I have a leg cramp that does not seem to release completely. The cramp happened a week ago, in the outer calf-shin area, 2 inches below my right knee. The contracture remained for more than a day which is extremely unusual: cramps usually release within minutes; and in the meantime I experienced numbness in the area. Even after the cramp appeared to release, the numbness spread downward slowly over days, now it is in the sole of my foot, wrapping over the instep and on the top of the foot. Interestingly, when I awoke the past three days, the numbness is all but gone; but within less than an hour of getting up, it is back, just as bad as the night before. So it seems there is some contracture still present, releasing and tightening depending on my state. What can I do to release the muscle completely?
Brief Answer:
Improvement of diet necessary along with fluids.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Cramps for longer time is unusual and usually indicates dehydration or potassium deficiency. Cramps usually are not associated with numbness which indicates possible additional deficiency of Vitamin B12.
You can follow the following:
1. Drink good amount of water particularly during day time. As you get most often dehydrated in the sun or due to moving around or exercise, hydration is very important.
2. Nutritional diet rich in potassium like banana, yoghurt, avocados, apricots, spinach, fish etc. This will help in improving potassium levels and thereby cramps will come down.
3. B12 rich diet like fish, eggs, nuts, etc can be helpful. However, do take vitamin supplements composed B-complex and Vitamin A and C. It will improve the neural network reducing the numbness.
4. Stretching is very important early in morning and atleast every four hours of the legs. Flexing your toes is important.
5. Continue applying warmth and massaging. It is helpful.
6. Some medications can cause cramps. See, if you have started any recently.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Take care.
Dr. Prakash HM
Improvement of diet necessary along with fluids.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Cramps for longer time is unusual and usually indicates dehydration or potassium deficiency. Cramps usually are not associated with numbness which indicates possible additional deficiency of Vitamin B12.
You can follow the following:
1. Drink good amount of water particularly during day time. As you get most often dehydrated in the sun or due to moving around or exercise, hydration is very important.
2. Nutritional diet rich in potassium like banana, yoghurt, avocados, apricots, spinach, fish etc. This will help in improving potassium levels and thereby cramps will come down.
3. B12 rich diet like fish, eggs, nuts, etc can be helpful. However, do take vitamin supplements composed B-complex and Vitamin A and C. It will improve the neural network reducing the numbness.
4. Stretching is very important early in morning and atleast every four hours of the legs. Flexing your toes is important.
5. Continue applying warmth and massaging. It is helpful.
6. Some medications can cause cramps. See, if you have started any recently.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Take care.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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