# \[Nightly\] Leg cramps. What causes it? What to do about it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 9, 2004, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144 "2004-04-09T07:29:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/21 "2004-04-10T12:29:56Z")
There can be plenty of causes. Sometimes dehydration may be the cause. I used to get cramps when I drank too much. Sometimes not enough of a certain suppliment. Sometimes calcium will help. Sometimes bannanas will. It is important to ask your doctor if they continue, they could mean something serious. ---
**Author:** ![Yeah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/dbc845/32.png) [@Yeah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeah)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/22 "2004-04-10T17:50:24Z")
Clincal Evidence, which systematically searches the medical literature for reliable evidence of the benefits and harms of therapies for specific conditions, says, at [http://www.clinicalevidence.com/ceweb/SearchServlet?searchTerm=cramps](http://www.clinicalevidence.com/ceweb/SearchServlet?searchTerm=cramps), “We have evaluated the treatments for Leg cramps and categorised them according to the evidence on their benefits and harms.” I’d tell you what they found out but my hard copy is at the office, my password doesn’t work, and I’m too cheap to pay for immediate access. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/23 "2004-04-10T18:47:22Z")
My massage therapist says calcium; pop a Tums before bed. A Sweet Old Boy at the Shrine Club says a tablespoon of honey before bed works for him. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/24 "2004-04-10T20:35:03Z")
You guys rock. Thank you. **AskNott** _[should I ask?]_ What’s a ‘Tums’? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/25 "2004-04-10T20:35:50Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > \Sometimes dehydration may be the cause. I used to get cramps when I drank too much. \ That doesn’t seem to make sense, eh? What I _meant_ was, I used to get them when I drank too much booze - thus causing dehydration… ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/26 "2004-04-10T20:37:47Z")
hehehe 🙂 I got it, **Khadaji** , thanks. ---
**Author:** ![olefin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@olefin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olefin)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/27 "2004-04-10T21:51:21Z")
My father in law took\*\* Quine\*\* tablets, about the only thing he found that would help. ---
**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/28 "2004-04-10T21:57:27Z")
Stuyguy, I know that remedy you’re talking about. I used to use it for restless legs, but they had to change the formula because the govt. wouldn’t allow quinine to be sold OTC anymore. Now of course, it doesn’t work. My doc has at times prescribed some drugs used for Parkinson’s and they work for a while, but have to be changed periodically. I don’t know if the restless legs are the same cause as leg cramps (it depends on the type of cramp), but the latest research shows that some part of the brain is misfiring (genetic as it runs in families). My son gave me a vibrating body-length mat and except for a couple of relapses, after using it every night for a couple of months I no longer have the restless legs and don’t even have to use the mat anymore. Probably won’t be permanent, but God what a relief to be able to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/29 "2004-04-10T22:22:36Z")
> [@gum](#): > > You guys rock. Thank you. **AskNott** _[should I ask?]_ What’s a ‘Tums’? Tums is a brand name for an over-the-counter (non-prescription) calcium supplement. More [at this site.](http://tums.com/) ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/30 "2004-04-11T19:40:13Z")
Wooo. Thanks again. Thanks \*\*Fish \*\*o o o o o o o I don’t think we have Tums here. ---
**Author:** ![dorfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@dorfl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorfl)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/31 "2004-04-11T23:14:42Z")
Ok, I am coming from a different direction. Don’t want to scare you, but that’s my experience. I had leg cramps and leg tingling for years. Nobody was sure what it was, and what to do. Until I had a (really, really, really) bad herniated disk. Then everybody was “oh, of course, the MRI shows that your lowe back vertabrae have deterioated for years now, and the disk was pushing against the nerves for a long time, which caused the cramps and tingling”. My advise, in addition to everything else: Do lower back execises. I am working my back now only 5 minutes a day, and no problems any more. This is good in any case, and does not do any harm whatsoever in case your back is not the source. dorfl ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2004, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/32 "2004-04-11T23:47:22Z")
> [@gum](#): > > You guys rock. Thank you. **AskNott** _[should I ask?]_ What’s a ‘Tums’? Tums are a brand name antacid sold here in the States. They are often also recommended as a calcium supplement. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/33 "2004-04-12T01:09:22Z")
**Dorfl** beat me to it, but I just wanted to say that in my case too they are caused by lower back problems, nothing to do with potassium, calcium, or dehydration. If I stretch my back wrongly I can trigger them off at any time, and it seems easier to do this while lying down. So it does happen occasionally while I’m asleep, maybe once a year or so. It’s very disorienting to suddenly wake up in the middle of the night with such pain. I also wanted to agee with the earlier post that says you can fend them off, if you feel them coming, by pointing your toes up and stretching the muscle before the cramp sets in. Doesn’t work when you’re asleep, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Kurt\_M.Weber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7993a0/32.png) [@Kurt\_M.Weber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kurt_M.Weber)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/34 "2004-04-22T03:31:48Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > Again with the bananas? :rolleyes: But yes, they do work. > > During the summer I volunteer as a cook for a drum & bugle corps - long day on your feet. When I would crawl into the bus bunk at night, my legs would cramp up. Started eating a daily banana, leg cramps went away. Out of curiosity–who? ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/35 "2004-04-22T21:25:40Z")
I have to clear something up here: I’ve experienced two different kinds of leg cramps in my life. The first kind is a dull but very powerful whole-leg ache that lasts for hours or even days. Not a charley-horse, like this thread seems to be addressing, but something more related to growing pains. I never understood these, but I haven’t gotten them since puberty. The other kind is what we’re talking about here, the horrible charley-horse spasm that leaves just as quickly as it started. Anybody have experience with the first kind? I’d like to be able to help my family members if they get them. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144/36 "2004-04-22T22:23:00Z")
The first thing you should do is TALK TO A DOCTOR. The most well-intended advice offered on a Message Board is (at best) hooey. “I took a teaspoon of hydrogenated quinine”, “I took anarobic phtalium supplements”, “Crystal healing worked for me,” “I used a voodoo doll and some pins” is all bullshit. OK, OK, perhaps those tricks worked for YOU, but that doesn’t mean they’ll work for everyone. Nighttime leg cramps could be caused by any number of things, including serious stuff like lower back problems, “restless leg syndrome” (a sleep disorder), etc. GO TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. If all those other things are ruled out and you want to try vitamin supplements or potassium or crystal healing or whatever else Message Board friends suggest, great, be my guest. Sheeeesh. A Message Board is NOT a place to get medical advice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nightly-leg-cramps-what-causes-it-what-to-do-about-it/239144.md?page=1)