exercising legs and feet

It's ok I think, done some googling and know what to do if it happens again.

I get this every now and then - it's a circulation thing. You can get medication for it, if it persists. Quinine in tonic water is said to help, too.

I have had a swollen foot for the last few days...I have been hobbling around. I have no idea what I have done...I never go to the doctors. This morning when I got up it felt like my toes were burning and tingling a bit, I wonder if I slightly fractured my foot.

Also bananas! If you are on water tablets, it can make you lose potassium, this can give you cramp! Bananas help

I have been subject to horrible cramp in my feet and calves form some time. However, I do find that I don't get it so often or so severely if I wear bedsocks and keep my feet really warm. I suspect that this keeps the circulation circulating, as it were.

Jeni - thanks for that tip. DH has water tablets for high bloodpressure and occasionally gets severe cramp in the night. He loves bananas and eats lots, but we often run out of them on Tuesday and Wednesday - shopping day is Thursday. So when is he most likely to suffer cramp? In the night between Wednesday and Thursday. How do I know this? Because we have DGS to take to nursery on Thursdays and have to be up by 7.00am (very early for us) and that is always the night when we both have our sleep disturbed - him with the cramp and me with the cursing, hopping and stamping about that he does.

So, a midweek banana top up for us from now on and fingers crossed.

This cropped up some time ago on another thread. I was very sceptical about one suggestion (can't remember whose suggestion it was ) but decided to try it as a cure for or prevention of cramp. The advice was to pop some corks into your bed - at foot level and between sheet and duvet. Absolutely no logical or scientific explanation as far as I can see BUT I haven't had cramps in feet or calves since! I'm simply passing it on - not justifying the apparent daftness - but it works for me (and if it's coincidence, then it's lasted for months!)

I suffered quite a bit with leg cramps. I couldnt move my legs some nights or it would trigger the cramps. I was on water tablets at the time, but have since been taken off them and I have never had a cramp since. It had not occurred to me that I was no longer getting cramps until I read this thread.

Inhaled steroids to prevent asthma gave me muscle cramps (and some other symptoms) and didn't prevent any asthma . Stopped using them. Roll on more research!

Have you tried Pilates. Since starting this last October I have stopped having muscle cramps. I have also stopped falling

I consider myself fortunate to have enjoyed exceptionally good health and have kept reasonably fit into my latter years. I am 65 this year. My ex used to comment that I was fitter than many 40 year olds she knew. I cannot comment on that but I too suffered with occasional cramps and they can be due to a number of factors. jeni has already alluded to bananas, this would be to replenish potassium, but a reduced level of sodium and or magnesium may also contribute as would dehydration and hypoxia (a lack or reduced level of Oxygen). I would think it best to consult your doctor in order to address the problem if he or she feels it necessary and if your cramps persist. Best of luck.

This exercise helps increase ankle dorsiflexion and strengthens the muscles in the front of your lower leg.

I second Stephen's comment about Pilates. It's done wonders for my legs. I'm not diabetic but I have had cramps and a dodgy knee and since joining this particular Pilates class - maximum 6 people - there's been a noticeable improvement. Pilates isn't cheap but it keeps me mobile which far outweighs the cost.

for cramp in the calves, point your toes up towards your knees. This is quite hard to do but, boy, does it ease the cramps!

For this it is best to do cycling and jogging!

But not in the middle of the night,Aanchal. As we do not have a car I have cycled all my life-didn't stop me from getting cramp in my calves though I agree it is excellent exercise.

Daisyanswerdo I sometimes get cramp in my calves and would endorse the advice about pointing up your toes towards your knees. I grab hold of my toes and pull them towards my knees. This does give temporary relief.

Cramps: if you cannot do Pilates. Make Sure you get them sodiums and potassiums down yer neck. Banana's etc..

Drink plenty of water.....

If still cramping..push your foot/feet flat up against a wall. Pressure.