What causes leg cramps and restless leg syndrome?
by Ask a Healer
What is homeopathy?
RSL info
It is deeply frustrating to be tired and ready to go to sleep, only to ly awake for hours because of leg cramps or restless leg sensations. I know because I've done it! I've learned that there is more than one cause for leg cramps and that what worked one time, to stop them, may not work the next time. It may take a bit of sleuthing and exploration. I have used homeopathic remedies containing quinine but have also read that the FDA strongly discourages such use. They say there is no proof that quinine helps restless leg and yet, it's helped me on more than one occasion. That having been said, I'll tell you that the FDA considered that use to be off-label and potentially dangerous. The only FDA-approved use of quinine is to treat malaria; however, if I ever had malaria I'd use miracle mineral supplement before I'd use anything else.
So what causes leg cramps anyway?
If there were one easy answer to that question, there wouldn't be so many restless insomnaics! There may be any number of reasons why the legs would cramp or restless leg sensations would be occurring. One of the most common reasons may be prescription drug side effects or reactions. If you take any of the following, you should ask your doctor if your leg cramps could be a side effect:
Lithium, Adalat, Nifedical, Procardia or generic brands of nifedipine, Evista, statin drugs, terbutaline, cortiosteroids, tranquilizers, birth control pills, steroids or diuretics.
Another cause of leg cramps is mineral imbalance. In my own experience, I find I'm often low on magnesium. If I drink a dose of Natural Calm, the leg cramps stop. However, one might also be low on potassium or calcium.
Certain health conditions may also cause cramping such as kidney disease, PAD or MS. Another common situation that may trigger leg cramps is dehydration.
What's the difference between a leg cramp and restless leg?
If you are having a leg cramp, you will feel a sudden and very painful contraction in the muscle, often the calf muscle or sometimes the sole of the feet, and the muscle will be in spasm. By contract, restless leg is more of a generalized twitching, tingling, irritable crawling sensation through the leg. These uncomfortable sensations make it hard to find a comfortable position in which to lay and interfere with going to sleep.
What can be done about leg cramps and restless leg?
Native Remedies makes a homeopathic called Leg Calm, which is an herbal remedy that could be taken for maintenance and is designed to support rested legs and limbs at night, maintain peaceful sleep patterns, support healthy circulation and support absorption of minerals from the diet. Leg Calm is best used with another product called Pure Calm. They offer these in a bundle here: Pure Calm + Leg Calm or you may order just the leg calm alone.
If you are sure what you have is restless leg and not just leg cramps, there is a natural remedy specifically for restless leg syndrome symptoms. It's from Mag Essentials for Restless Leg Symptom Relief
Health Care Disclaimer: This information is educational in nature and not designed to replace any needed medical evaluation, testing or treatment. Leg cramps may be a sign of an underlying medical condition which may be serious so please see your doctor for symptoms that persist.
