Ankle Blues

Night Time Cramps

Q: I am a very active mother of two. I usually jog 2 to 4 miles a day or take an aerobics class. About once or twice a week I've been getting very painful cramps in my calf that wake me up in the middle of the night. I have to got to get up and stand or have my husband stretch my leg. It ruins a whole night of sleep. Should I stop exercising?

C.K.
Dallas, Texas

A: Exercise may contribute to the cause of nighttime leg cramps, sometimes called charley horses. You can probably stop them with a few simple techniques. These are more closely related to exercise and dehydration than restless legs.

Be sure that you stay well hydrated, get adequate calcium (1000 to 1500 mg. per day) and replace any salt and other electrolytes's (such as potassium) lost during the day with juice and salted food or a sports drink. Stretch your calf muscle and contract the anterior tibial muscle (by heel walking, toe tapping or lifting weights by ankle flexion) three or four times during the day and before going to bed.

If cramps persist after a month, see your physician to make sure you have no other medical problems such as thyroid disease, low calcium or magnesium or lack of blood flow.

About the authors: Carol L. Otis, M.D., is Chief Medical Advisor to the Sanex WTA and a UCLA student health physician. Roger Goldingay is a former professional soccer player. They are married and the co-authors of The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide.

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