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What Causes Calf Muscle Cramps?

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Posted on Tue, 7 Oct 2014
Question: At night I get excruciating muscle cramps. At first, the cramps were in my right calf & caused unending pain. My dr. Had me use an elastic bandage & RICE. After a week that muscle feels better. During this time, the cramps moved to my left ankle. These cramps happen 3-4 x every night. I have tried tonic water, muscle relaxants, 1/2 a banana, topical creams,& anything else I can think of to do. I do stretching exercises everyday.

During the daytime, I get these cramps in my neck and side.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Magnesium and Potassium deficiency.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Calf muscle cramps are usually caused by Magnesium and Potassium deficiency. Such deficiency can be caused by coffee or caffeinated drinks intake or stress. Some medicines like hypertension medicines can also cause it.
Please note that Magnesium and Potassium stabilize nervous system. In case of deficiency muscles and nerves are oversensitive and can spontaneously trigger muscle cramps. This mostly happens during the night and can be very painful.
I suggest you to start with Magnesium 250 mg and Potassium 250 mg three times a day supplementation.
If this wont help, please consult your doctor.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (7 minutes later)
Is the magnesium also 3 x day?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
There should be Magnesium and Potassium in one pill. If not, you should take at least 400 mg of Magnesium daily.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5797 Questions

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What Causes Calf Muscle Cramps?

Brief Answer: Magnesium and Potassium deficiency. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Calf muscle cramps are usually caused by Magnesium and Potassium deficiency. Such deficiency can be caused by coffee or caffeinated drinks intake or stress. Some medicines like hypertension medicines can also cause it. Please note that Magnesium and Potassium stabilize nervous system. In case of deficiency muscles and nerves are oversensitive and can spontaneously trigger muscle cramps. This mostly happens during the night and can be very painful. I suggest you to start with Magnesium 250 mg and Potassium 250 mg three times a day supplementation. If this wont help, please consult your doctor. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.