Suggest Treatment For Leg Cramps Post An Exercise Session

Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Jun 2017 Answered on

Sat, 1 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Symptoms: normally exercise multiple times per week - e.g. 3 mile treadmill runs. Now find 2 miles difficult. Seems like my weight is slowly dropping. Have had severe (really severe) leg cramps intermittently but for the past several nights consistently. From the ankles through the shins. Is extremely difficult to find a way to relieve them - last night shaking my legs helped but had it not, not sure what I would have done. We were on vacation for 2 weeks (ended last Sunday). Did not have these problems during those weeks. Diet roughly the same though had more wine and fewer vegetables.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Taking juicy fruits like citrus fruits should help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that somehow you have developed an electrolyte imbalance. I would insist you to cut down on the wine and to increase total fluid intake (water). Taking ORS (oral rehydration solution) is more preferable. Take juicy fruits like citrus fruits. They contain plenty of potassium which should help in proper functioning of the muscles and in reduction of the cramps. Once stabilized, you should again be able to re-attain your capacity on tread mill.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar