I think this thread kinda works here...
Anyways, I get reeeeeally bad leg cramps at night (while sleeping, also referred to as nocturnal leg cramping) at least once a week, and it probably happens 2-3 times that same night. I've looked this up and I know one of the most common causes is dehydration and/or calcium deficiency and/or potassium deficiency. None of these seem to be my problem (if I drank anymore water I would be getting up every 2 hours to pee, which would be just as annoying, hehe). I've also heard that excessive exercising can cause them... but I've also heard that using a stationary bike can help stretch and strengthen the muscles to prevent the cramping.
So, I'm just wondering if any of you have experienced nocturnal leg cramping and if so were you able to get rid of them? What was causing them? What do you do when you get them at night? Does the pain last (mine feel like I've pulled a muscle for at least 48 hours afterwards... and by the time the pain subsides I have them again, which makes it hard to work out sometimes)?
I'm getting kind of frustrated because they wake me up and I normally can't get back to sleep so I may only get 2-4 hours of sleep some nights. Oh, and I should add, I am only 21. I've read that leg cramping is more common in people over 50, so I can't figure out why I get them so often
Thank you for your help!
E