So for the first time I can recall I had muscle cramps. Woke up in excruciating pain about 5am. The cramps are in my left foot and right calf. They have eased off some now, but this morning I could barely walk. What on earth could have caused this??

Side note: is it necessary to stretch before using an elliptical for 30 minutes?

6/21/2007 12:41:53 PM

Step 1. Drink some tonic water
Step 2. ...
Step 3. Profit!!1 (cramps gone)

6/21/2007 12:49:29 PM

Well. I drank tap water.

6/21/2007 12:50:05 PM

what kind of working out / athletics / etc have you done in the last day or two? just an elliptical machine?

but yes basically you want to stretch before and after any physical activities/excercising/working out

course when i dont stretch sufficiently i'm just usually sore...not really in pain as much as just being sore

6/21/2007 12:50:58 PM

eat bananas

6/21/2007 12:52:07 PM

^ Potassium

6/21/2007 1:21:56 PM

stretching it helps the most, the only cramp i've ever had other than side stiches and shin splints was one in my calf while swimming...

6/21/2007 1:30:23 PM

Quote :

"eat bananas"

6/21/2007 1:51:32 PM

I got a random one this morning in my calf. Just grab it as soon as it hits and stretch it and it will go away.

6/21/2007 2:21:24 PM

man those things hurt like hell

6/21/2007 2:22:52 PM

BANANAS AND WATER FTW!!!

also, decrease caffeine intake during the day.

6/21/2007 2:23:04 PM

gatoraid (or any good sports drink) is good too....they have alot of electrolytes in 'em.

6/21/2007 2:53:17 PM

Guess I get to go to the store then

^^I don't drink caffeine. Other than the occasional 20oz. coke that takes me like 3 days to drink.

6/21/2007 5:27:35 PM

dont waste your time stretching before, thats worthless

just make sure you stretch afterwards.




and eat bananas.

6/21/2007 7:16:51 PM

Quote :

"just make sure you stretch afterwards."

Are you overweight?

6/21/2007 8:38:01 PM

Nanners are definitely good after that kind of strenuous exercise that depletes your body of both electrolytes and energy stores.

I've always had bad muscle cramping issues after lots of endurance exercise, but I also sweat profusely when exercising (or just standing around in the summer)...enough to leave very discernable salt rings in my clothes.

I started using the Morton Lite Salt, which has both sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and I also took potassium supplements. But I still think you oughta go bananas. I think they work better.

Oh, and elkaybie is right...caffeine is one fuck of a diuretic.

[Edited on June 21, 2007 at 8:55 PM. Reason : Oh, and...]

6/21/2007 8:54:28 PM

Exact causes of cramping are unknown.

So, hydrating and eating bananas, are okay suggestions if the cause was electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.

If it's due to poor inflexibility or overexertion, then that's another matter.

So on, so on.

Stretching before workout is okay. However, it's more beneficial to warm-up thoroughly before performing any high intensity workout (and if you so desire, stretch after your warm-up). Stretching warm muscles is much more effective and safer.

[Edited on June 21, 2007 at 10:04 PM. Reason : .]

6/21/2007 10:03:56 PM

Quote :

"Exact causes of cramping are unknown."

maybe to you its unknown.

6/21/2007 10:16:36 PM

it is unknown. that's like saying we know what causes cancer. the exact mechanisms that cause cramping are unknown.

6/21/2007 10:21:07 PM

i thought cancer was when cells mutate

6/21/2007 10:22:52 PM

leave it to dnl to make this thread even dumber

6/21/2007 10:23:38 PM

have some milk.

6/21/2007 10:45:44 PM

Quote :

"Are you overweight?"

I dont think so. 6'0 - 160 lbs. What does stretching have to do with weight?

6/22/2007 6:46:47 AM

Day 2 and it's not unbearable cramping, but there's still a definite "tight cramp" feel in both calves.

I really can't think of it being a deficiency in something other than potassium, I get everything else from what I eat, and it's a completely new thing for me. And I do the elliptical everyday, so there's no new overly strenuous activities.

Weird.

6/22/2007 11:17:11 AM

^^ question wasnt directed to you

6/22/2007 11:24:00 AM

^Oh was that directed at me? In that case, no.

6/22/2007 11:41:29 AM

Quote :

"Step 1. Drink some tonic water"

if you can stand it. that stuff is disgusting.

Quote :

"Day 2 and it's not unbearable cramping, but there's still a definite "tight cramp" feel in both calves."

go to a real doctor.

[Edited on June 22, 2007 at 12:14 PM. Reason : eh]

6/22/2007 12:14:24 PM

Quote :

"leave it to dnl to make this thread even dumber"

6/22/2007 12:32:00 PM

I get those all the time

it always happens when I stretch in the middle of the night . . I sit straight up and feel like I'm going to scream. I can barely put weight on that leg the next day.

6/22/2007 12:43:15 PM

if you stand up when they happen, they go away.

6/22/2007 2:37:58 PM

^ yeah I always just put pressure on my leg (ie stand up) and it works like a charm

6/22/2007 3:55:09 PM

TOMATO JUICE
BANANAS
PICKLE JUICE

DON'T DRINK WATER IT ONLY MAKES IT WORSE....

I'VE HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR CRAMPS DURING A RUGBY GAME...IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL EXPERIENCES

6/22/2007 4:07:23 PM