Leg cramps at night are common. And it's important to make a distinction between leg cramps causes and other causes of leg pain at night. Because there are several conditions that can cause leg pain at The cramp, or charley horse, is due to the muscle contracting (shortening and tightening) in a sudden and violent way. leg cramps usually occur in the calf muscle. But foot and leg cramps do happen at night also. Cramps in the thighs are less common. One main reason for the pain is because blood flow to the muscleWaste products also build up within the muscle tissue. The underlying causes of leg cramps are unknown. However, here are nine possible suspects: One of the side effects of taking statins is muscle aches in the legs. Technically, these are not leg cramps. However, if you take statins, you should be aware that studies show that statin use lowers levels of the nutrient Coenzyme Q10 (abbreviated as CoQ10). the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology showed that statins reduce CoQ10
levels by up to 40%!This is very important because lower levels of CoQ10 may create pain or cramps in the legLike a lot of things in medicine, the studies are conflicting on thisI don’t take statins. However, I occasionally like to take CoQ10 for a heart boost. I’ve been reading about this nutrient for years. The Coenzyme Q10 Phenomenon by clinical cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. several years ago really peaked my interest. This book, although several years old, is an excellent overview of why CoQ10 is so important for many health conditions, especially heart health. I got my copy from Amazon. If you’re interested, you can read about it here. Supplementing with a dose of 50 mg twice daily of CoQ10 for 30 days may be beneficial to you if you are having muscle pain fromCertainly something to discuss with your doctor. Below I’ve provided a link in reference #5 you can click on to see a good study on taking CoQ10 for muscle pain.
The point is, if you do take statins, you really need to read up on the statin and CoQ10 connection. you medical information on this topic. Here’s something else to be aware of: There are a few studies showing that 100 mg of CoQ10 taken in the evening may cause insomnia. why I always take my CoQ10 in the morning after breakfast. be taken with meals. Here is the CoQ10 I like to take because I’ve been a vegetarian for forty years. There are all kinds of CoQ10 products on Amazon. Poke around Amazon and find one you like. Another thing to keep in mind: Some studies show that CoQ10 can lower blood pressure a little bit. So it’s a good idea to monitor your blood pressure if you’re taking blood pressure medications. has a wide variety of products for leg cramps. are creams, some are homeopathic pills. In my article about homeopathic sleep aids, I wrote about my skepticism of homeopathy. Yet, surprisingly, many people
find relief with this form of treatment. So who am I to say? I do know leg cramps hurt like heck so you may want to give these pills a try. Here's a link to one of the more popular homeopathic leg cramps products on Amazon. I do hope it helps you. I hate it when I get leg cramps at night in my legs or feet. So I hope the other articles I wrote below are helpful to you. Nocturnal Leg Cramps: Can They Be Prevented? Leg Pain at Night: 16 Lower Leg Cramps Treatment Options Night Leg Cramps Treatments: 6 More Options Stop Leg Cramps at Night! My Final Five Leg Cramp Relief Options What is Restless Leg Syndrome? 19 Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms Return to Sleep Disorders Home Page Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Sleep: The Complete Guide to Sleep Disorders and a Better Night's Sleep. J. Paul Caldwell, MD Relationship between prolonged standing and symptoms of
varicose veins and nocturnal leg cramps among women and men. Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Decreases Statin-Related Mild-to-Moderate Muscle Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Study. Many people with Rheumatoid Arthritis find it difficult to get a good night’s rest. RA is associated with symptoms including daytime sleepiness, fatigue, pain, and depression – all of which may affect the ability to sleep well at night. In fact, it is estimated that sleep problems affect 54% to 70% of adults with RA. In addition to discomfort associated with joint pain, individuals with RA are at increased risk for primary sleep disorders including restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and periodic leg movements of sleep. We recently asked our Facebook community if they had tips for getting comfortable – and staying comfortable – while sleeping. Here are some of the most common recommendations: Using Tempurpedic mattress and pillows Sleeping with a pillow between my knees/legs
Using a rolled up towel to keep my head elevated Sleeping in a recliner Sleeping on an incline Using ice to soothe pain Taking a hot bath Working on general sleep hygiene is one way to improve the quality of sleep you get each night. Have you found ways to improve your sleep? Please share in the comments! Join 26,000 subscribers to our weekly newsletter. Your username will be visible to others. Only B0t5 speak here:Members can add a comment to this story. Toss and Turn, Sleep and RAThe Nightshades DilemmaCatastrophe!Click Here to get Amazons Best Selling Dog Beds!I’m a fan of dog beds. They provide a comfy place for your dog to chill throughout the day, and gives them a comfortable place to sleep at night so that I can shoo them off my bed guilt-free.When we travel we can take it with us and it gives my pooch a sense of “home” no matter where we are, and on the rare occasion I have to leave him with a sitter, it gives him added reassurance in my absence.
Furthermore, a good bed can greatly alleviate aches and pains in older dogs. Investing in a quality bed can provide a place to lay that absorbs their tired muscles and helps relieve pressure on their aching joints.Young dogs also appreciate a good bed as it gives them a sense of regularity in where they sleep. You will find that your puppy also sleeps better at night having a super-comfy bed, versus how well they sleep with a smaller bed.I’ve seen dogs curl up super tightly and sleep on the tiniest pillows. However, that is not what we are after. We want our pet to be able to stretch out if necessary, and to be comfortable at all times.This is especially important for larger breeds and dogs with join pain.Furthermore, keep size in mind if you plan to slide it inside a crate. It’s easy to get a bed that is the right size for your dog but that won’t go inside your crate.Frankly, I have two beds for mine. One that fits in the crate and then another nice cozy one that sits by the fireplace for him to hang out in when he’s not crated.
Looking for the absolutely best orthopedic dog bed you can buy? Here is my run-down.I wanted to include the K&H in here because it is a really unique design and it caters to smaller dogs. Now, it only uses “polyfill” so it is not orthopedic in any sense.So why include it on this list?Well, the K&H uses a bit of reflective barrier in the bedding to send the doggie’s body heat back up into their bed. This heat can help release joint pain and create a cozy place to sleep.The best part is that the whole bed is washable so you can just throw it in the machine whenever it needs it.Click To See The K&H On AmazonThese beds are probably the best “cheap” orthopedic dog beds on the market. For the Medium and Large sizes they are 3″ thick. For the XL, XXL and Jumbo sizes, they come in 4″ of thickness.Similar to many top-dollar beds that humans love, the MPX beds use high density memory foam to provide joint relief. This foam is protected by a stitched-on waterproof cover for easy cleanup and the whole thing is encased in a machine-washable denim cover.
While it doesn’t go into as much engineering and orthopedics like the Big Barker beds do, for the money, the memory foam can be expected to provide a huge amount of relief for arthritic dogs. The only downside is that the Chinese-made bed may not last as long as some of it’s American made competition.An excellent way to cushion your canine friend without breaking the bank.Click Here To See The Sizing Options and Prices On The MPX BedThis bed is the perfect for the family pet. Super plush, you get a 3-inch polyurethane base layer to provide the support you need and t keep the bed from sagging over time, topped with a 1-inch soft density polyurethane foam layer. Most dog beds would stop there and call it good, but then they tack on another 1″ layer of memory foam to make it a super-comfy place for those achy joints to relax.Some dogs also enjoy the raised side as a sort of pillow.The faux fur cover is removable for washing and the non-skid bottom means your pooch can confidently get in and out of this bed without worrying about it slipping out and spraining a hip .
Excellent construction, orthopedic support and a little furniture-like flair. It’s a great choice for any dog-centered living room.Click Here To See The Integrity Orthopedic BedWant the excellent engineering of the Big Barker for a smaller dog? Their 4″ pad is an excellent choice.This top-notch pad uses only American-made foam which is well-known for its durability over the cheaper Chinese brands. If you want a pad that will last, this is the way to go.The cover is 100% waterproof and can be popped in the washing machine for easy care.This foam pad is divided to provide 2″ of comfort foam on top of 2″ of support foam for the maximum in orthopedic comfort inside a crate.It’s the perfect gift for the crate-loving pooch. Click Here To See The Big Barker Crate BedBig barker is one of the absolute best brands of dog beds online. The product quality is there. The design quality is there. The raving customer reviews back up all of the amazing engineering.In fact, I love them so much that they claim 2 of these 5 product slots.