My hubby gets bad calf cramps. His dr said it was likely the mineral deficiencies that pamstegma sited and recommended that he chew a couple Tums when the cramps hit.
Pritzy, it's most likely the above but if the pain is not going away, press around. Make sure there aren't any bumps or hot spots. If so then it's cause to call dr.
If it's a charley horse, it can sometimes be from dehydration or a side effect of a medication, in addition to the vitamin deficiency. My mom read that when you get one, apply press your finger to that space between your nose and lip, almost like a mustache, and it makes them go away faster. It sounds ridiculous but it works for me.
There is another thing that sets in as we get older. If the muscles get cold they start cramping. I have trouble with lower leg cramps in the morning when I wake if I don't have extra covering over my lower legs. What I do is have an extra blanket folded over my lower legs before I go to bed.
The Deficiency: Magnesium, calcium, and potassium. "If it's happening frequently, it's a tip-off that you're lacking in these," Blum says. And if you're training hard, you can lose more minerals (and water-soluble B vitamins) through heavy sweating.
The Fix: Eat more bananas, almonds, hazelnuts, squash, cherries, apples, grapefruit, broccoli, bok choy, and dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and dandelion. source: "Five weird signs you are vitamin deficient"
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If it's a charley horse, it can sometimes be from dehydration or a side effect of a medication, in addition to the vitamin deficiency. My mom read that when you get one, apply press your finger to that space between your nose and lip, almost like a mustache, and it makes them go away faster. It sounds ridiculous but it works for me.
The Fix: Eat more bananas, almonds, hazelnuts, squash, cherries, apples, grapefruit, broccoli, bok choy, and dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and dandelion.
source: "Five weird signs you are vitamin deficient"