How To Prevent Leg Cramps From Ever Happening Again
It happened two nights ago. I was sound asleep, happy as a clam, when suddenly I was jolted awake by a very painful leg cramp in my left calf. It was all I could do to keep from screaming! I bit my tongue so not to wake my partner and waited about five minutes before it went away and I could sleep again.
What an unpleasant experience! The following morning, I decided to see what could be done to make sure I never have this rude awakening again.
Leg cramps aren't just some one off affliction for the most part. Often, they underlie another issue. One reason cramping happens is because of a lack of sufficient amounts of water. Being chronically dehydrated can make your muscles more rigid and prone to cramping.
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Low potassium and high sodium is a cause for cramping as well. If you eat the Standard American Diet, there's a high likelihood that you are deficient in potassium and are consuming too much salt. Foods like bananas, raw spinach, and cantaloupe are very high in potassium. If you're experiencing cramping, try adding them to your diet in conjunction with more water and cut back on the salt.
Low magnesium levels can also cause cramping. We need around 250 milligrams of magnesium a day in order to be healthy. Quinoa, fish, spinach, nuts, legumes, some seeds, and dark chocolate are all great sources of magnesium.
Outside of that, some gentle stretching before bed and when you wake up, as well as throughout the day, can help keep your muscles limber, healthy, and cramp free.
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