In a message dated 97-05-22 11:07:39 EDT, you write:
<< For the past month I have been experiencing severe cramps in both legs.
In the morning when I wake my calves knot up so tight that I can't move. On
occasion I am bothered at night and wake up. >>
Healthy contraction and relaxation of muscle fibers is related to chronic
ingestion of adequate amounts of calcium, magnesium and potassium. If your
problem was simple (mild or severe) muscle tightness or painless
tics("spasms) in your face or elsewhere, and constipation, I would suggest
making sure to get the U. S. RDA of magnesium (400-500mg/day). If diarrhea
and flaccid muscles were present, I would recommend looking at your calcium
intake and increase it to the RDA (1,000 mg/day for adults who are not
pregnant, lactating or post-menopausal) if it is low, or decrease your
magnesium intake to the RDA, if it is high.
For some reason (that means I don't know the exact mechanism involved),
muscle spasms everywhere else tend to be associated with low magnesium
intake, but spasms in the lower legs are associated with low potassium intake
(or depletion of potassium via diuretics). The RDA for postassium has not
been established, but the typical amount in a supplemental tablet or capsule
is 98 or 99 mg. One of those a day, if your pshysician has not
contra-indicated increasing your potassium intake, should help.
Also, there is an acupressure point for "charley horses" that is effective,
but hard to remember when you are jumping around with a severe cramp. Take
the flesh between your nose and upper lip and squeeze it with your thumb and
forefinger, making a verticle bulge. Feel foolish? Good. You must be doing
it right. Hold the squeeze for the slow count of twelve and the cramp should
be subsiding.
Hope this helps.
Deanne
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