Calf cramp

[becks]

Sometimes (well, often actually) when I wake up and get out of bed, i get really bad cramp in my lower calf, after i;ve taken a couple of steps out of bed. It then hurts like i've pulled it all day and i feel like i need to stretch it all the time. Does anyone else get this weirdy cramp or know why i am?

[greenday]

When athletes get cramp it is due to a lack of salt, I think. If you have a balanced and healthy diet it shouldn't be a problem though.

[AB Editor]

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[Laura4363]

I used to get this a lot.  I mentioned it to my doctor and he told me to eat a banana every day (something to do with the potassium content).  It worked but I did get a bit sick of bananas!  But now I just have 1or 2 every week and I haven't had cramp for a long time.

[Litchick]

If you get it in bed, as I sometimes do, my doctor said to flex your foot.  Your calf will still hurt during the day after a calf cramp but that should at least stop it at the moment.  Also, the banana and salt suggestions should help.

[Hgrove]

I thought it was lack of calcium.  It happens very frequently to teenagers and pregnant women.

[spunkypumpkn]

quinnine is very useful in the treatment of cramp. Drink a glass or two of tonic water every day and it will stop.

Also, it IS something to do with Calcium and the muscles.

[blueeyedlass]

i suffered really bad leg cramps when i was pregnant and my midwife told me to eat a packet of ready salted crisps and drink a glass of soda water each night before going to bed.

[Rubydoo]

Hi Becks, I had the same thing and was told that it could be too much salt in the diet! Also I was told that I needed to boost the levels of potassium in my diet. Bananas as previously mentioned are a good source, also tomatoes. Since I followed this advice I've not had the problem since, (touch wood!!).  Hope this helps.

[fairy!]

I used to wake up in the middle of the night with horrible cramp in my calves.  I was also told that it was a lack of salt in my diet.  I hadn't heard the banana theory, but thinking about it, I haven't had cramp for a while, & I've been having a banana smoothie for breakfast most days!