Leg cramps often come out of nowhere. You could be lying down or in the middle of stretch and all of a sudden a muscle in your leg seizes up and cramps. Cramps are painful and are usually a rare occurrence. However, for some, they are a daily or nightly issue that needs to be dealt with.
Causes
Leg cramps while laying and stretching can be caused by several different conditions. For instance, being dehydrated or not having the proper minerals in your body could cause cramping on a regular basis. Conditions that can result in cramps include cirrhosis, diarrhea, oral contraceptive use and kidney failure. If your leg cramps occur only once in a while while laying or stretching, it might simply be due to a bout of dehydration or a failure to stretch after a workout.
Dietary Considerations
The foods you eat can directly affect your leg cramps. You need electrolytes like potassium and calcium to prevent leg cramping. That's why it's recommended that you eat bananas to get potassium and stave off a cramp attack. Milk or calcium-enriched juices can also help. A lack of sodium can also cause problems, so make sure to include enough in your diet.
Treatment Options
Getting rid of leg cramps that pop up can be simple. You may just be able to get up and walk it out, taking tentative steps to work out the cramp. Using a heating pad and gentle massage can also help loosen a stubborn cramp. Try not to tense up even more. Even though it hurts, tensing will just make the cramp worse.
Helpful Stretches
If you suffer from leg cramps, stretching might be able to help, especially after exercise. Failing to stretch after a workout can cause cramps, so take the time to stretch out your legs before sitting. To stretch, stand in front of a wall and pretend you're going to do a push-up. Lean into the wall until you feel your legs stretch. Push back out. In the middle of a cramp, you may also find that grabbing onto your toes and gently flexing them is effective at releasing a cramp in your calf.
