Health & Nutrition Health and Nutrition - February 2018.edcoan.ir | Page 18

Q Health Flash
STAY UPDATED WITH THE LATEST MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
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What can I do to prevent nighttime leg cramps?
Nighttime leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions in the calf, feet, and
thigh muscles that tend to occur more often with age.
Often, leg cramps develop for no apparent reason, but there are factors
that may increase your risk: Heavy alcohol consumption, dehydration, sitting
too long, prolonged standing, deficiencies in magnesium, calcium and other
nutrients, and use of certain medications, such as diuretics and statin drugs.
Stay well hydrated, and keep your bed covers loose, so they don’t press
down on your feet and tighten your lower leg muscles. Before you go to bed,
take a warm bath or shower. Massage your leg muscles, or ride a stationary
bike for a few minutes.
Also, try stretching your leg muscles. Sit with your legs extended and your
knees straight. Grab the end of your foot and pull it toward you. Hold for 15 to
20 seconds, and do two to four repetitions with each foot.
How effective is
capsaicin as a
pain reliever?
A
pplying capsaicin (often found in pain-relieving
gels) to the skin can be effective in reducing pain
caused by shingles, diabetes, arthritis, and
other conditions.
Capsaicin is made from the seeds of chilli peppers. It
can irritate the skin and cause a burning sensation that
some people cannot tolerate, especially during the first few
weeks of use. For most people, getting used to the substance and
determining its effectiveness takes three or four weeks.