Relieve Leg Cramps-Hydration Key For Prevention

Having cramps in your legs is never a pleasurable experience, but it’s even worse when those leg cramps strike when you are trying to sleep. They can wake you up out of a sound sleep and keep you up for hours. It’s not as common, but leg cramps can also strike during the day, making walking uncomfortable. Regardless of when they happen, there are things you can do to relieve leg cramps.

You can go most of your life without feeling leg cramps, but then they start to become a problem as you get older. You cant get into a time machine and get younger, so you need to take action and do what you can to treat your leg cramps.

Your first line of defense is to make sure that you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. This keeps everything in your body moving along. Aim for eight glasses of water per day, but you don’t have to obsess over it. Just do your best to make sure you’re getting a lot of water. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst and cramping, so it makes sense that staying hydrated will help to relieve leg cramps.

Many people have found that taking calcium supplements helps. A few researchers have found a link between leg cramps and calcium deficiency. Try drinking a glass of milk shortly before bedtime and see if that helps; if not, then a supplement may be the answer.

If you are on any kind of prescription then you should check the label carefully to see what the potential side effects are. There are medications that can cause muscle cramps, and some medicines can lower the level of potassium, magnesium or calcium in your body. Dehydration is also a possible side effect of a few prescription drugs. Be sure to discuss any of your concerns with your doctor or pharmacist.

A lot of times leg cramps are caused by a lack of activity, or from not going through their full range of motion. Doing stretches is one way to solve this problem. One stretch to help relieve leg cramps is to stand about two to three feet from wall and put your hands on the wall. Start doing a push-up like motion, but keep your feet completely flat on the floor. If it feels like it is stretching too much, then move a bit closer to the wall; if you can’t feel any stretching, then move back a bit. Be careful to not overdo it.

If, despite all of your best efforts, you end up needing to relieve leg cramps at night, then try this little trick: place your finger directly on your upper lip and then press gently. This is a pressure point that is connected to your leg, and can bring enough relief to get you to drift back asleep. Chances are the other remedies will work just fine, but it’s always good to have another trick up your sleeve just in case.

Natural Remedies For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

To experience fatigue is a normal occurrence in one’s life. Most people experience fatigue especially after doing some strenuous activities. These instances of fatigue only happen when we overexert ourselves. The feeling of exhaustion is usually relieved after we get some much-needed rest. However, people with chronic fatigue syndrome suffer from fatigue, as well as a number of other symptoms, for a long period of time, usually over six months.

Although the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is difficult to determine, it is believed that one of the factors that trigger it is viral infection. People suffering from CFS usually exhibit symptoms that also occur in viral infections such as flu: sore throat, headache, muscle and joint aches, etc.

There is no known cure for viruses, as drugs such as antibiotics cannot cure them. Consequently, there is also no known cure yet for chronic fatigue syndrome. But people suffering from viral infections can combat these viruses by boosting their immune system. Because chronic fatigue syndrome has a strong link to viral infection, boosting the immune system by using natural remedies is one of the best ways to at least relieve some of the symptoms if not overcome the condition.

The following natural remedies are highly recommended to patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome:

1.) Include more vegetables and fruits into your diet A nutritious and balanced diet is an excellent way to maintain health and combat illnesses. By eating more green leafy vegetables, whole grains and fruits, your body is nourished with vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system.

2.) Eat more high-quality protein Food such as fish, soy products, nuts and chicken are good sources of quality protein that are low in saturated fat and help maintain a good healthy body. Chicken and fish are also good sources of omega 3, 6 and 9.

3.) Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day Our body is 70% water and drinking 8-10 glasses of water helps cleanse the body and keep it hydrated.

4.) Add more garlic and onion into your diet Onion and garlic are known for their virus-inhibiting abilities. They can be taken either raw or cooked. Supplements that contain garlic and onion can also be taken as an alternative if you don’t like the taste of these two healthful bulbs.

5.) Exercise regularly Adding exercises and other physical activities into your daily routine can do wonders for you. Having CFS doesn’t mean all you need to do is rest all day. People with CFS are usually lethargic and easily tired. To fight the lethargy, keeping the body active is important. Doing 15-30 minutes of mild exercise and another 30 minutes of vigorous physical activities such as aerobics, tennis, swimming and brisk walking can help your body function better and your heart healthier and stronger.

Stretching and other relaxation exercises can also help you manage stress, which intensifies chronic fatigue. However, before you start any exercise routine, consult your doctor and ask for his advice.

6.) Take herbal supplements to fight CFS There are several herbal medicines you can take to help you manage chronic fatigue syndrome. Echinacea root is known as an immune system booster. It is available in tablet/capsule form and as tea. Ginseng root is believed to restore vitality and increase energy.

In Asian countries, it is even known as an aphrodisiac. Licorice, pokeroot and golden seal are also helpful in combating chronic fatigue syndrome.