I had no idea how sugar and leg cramps were related, so I began to talk about it to the doctors with whom I work. What causes cramps? Learn about taking vitamins for leg cramps. Tonic water—and the quinine it contains—have been promoted for preventing leg cramps for decades despite the lack of evidence that they are effective. It is difficult to assess exactly how many people suffer from leg cramps, but some estimates are as high as 33% of all adults over age 50. June 10, 2010 Karen Vaughan, L.Ac., Registered Herbalist (AHG) 8 Comments. 33% of people over age 60 will have a leg cramp at night at least once every two months. If you experience leg cramps, you should report the symptoms to your doctor. Nearly every adult age 50 and older will have them at least one time. What are leg cramps? Keto electrolyte supplements are another convenient, easy way to address leg cramps and other hydration- or dehydration-related issues on the keto diet. Taking insulin or other diabetes medications is frequently part of dealing with diabetes In addition to healthy food choices and physical activity, medicine can assist you handle the disease. Drinking too much coffee can increase your risk of getting leg cramps when you start keto since caffeine stimulates your muscles to contract. Nocturnal leg cramps are a tight, knotted feeling that can last seconds or minutes. Vinegar, Muscle Cramps, Blood Sugar and Acids. Final Thoughts on Leg Cramps. Long term diabetes causes substantial damage to the peripheral nerves, making the nerve fibers susceptible to being increasingly irritable which results in leg cramps. Leg cramps occur when a muscle, usually your calf muscle, uncontrollably, and very forcefully contracts. Here’s what you need to know to prevent or treat these issues. Serious cramping had been a constant problem for years, mostly happening suddenly -- and painfully -- at night. Warning signs that could indicate complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: *Leg cramps during the night: The cause may possibly be dehydration, low levels of calcium, or low potassium levels. Caffeine is also a diuretic, so it helps take water out of your body, which can lead to muscle cramping and dehydration [9 , 10 , 11] . Pregnancy-related cramps also usually happen at night and affect the calf muscles. Perhaps, another cause of leg cramps in diabetic patients is diabetic neuropathy. Since having either high or low blood sugar contributes to spasms, many people with diabetes report having from mild to severely painful muscle cramping.. With that being said, you do not need to be a diabetic to benefit from improved blood sugar levels. Leg Cramps with Diabetes: What’s the Connection? Numerous researches and clinical studies have been carried out to demonstrate this. Leg cramps. 1. You try to force your leg to relax without success, and you know you are in for a sleepless night. If you are okay, and the cramps go away with stopping sugar, that may be all you need to do (as well as continuing to take good care of your diabetes) If you have any other questions about this information, let me know. 2. Results: Causes of High blood sugar AND Leg cramps . On the other hand, severe or lasting leg cramps, or leg cramps in conjunction with other symptoms, are cause for concern. Deficiency in some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, B12, and potassium, may cause leg cramps. Hypoglycemia may cause leg cramps. They may interrupt your sleep, energy levels, and overall health and well-being. Leg cramps are a common side effect of the ketogenic diet, and you may wonder what you can do to prevent them. Fainting (vasovagal syncope) Before fainting, you might feel lightheaded, warm, nausea, a cold sweat, or have tunnel vision. Night leg cramps usually involve your calf muscles, although muscles in your feet or thighs might cramp as well. This article tells you all you need to know about treating leg cramps on keto. Presumably you’re able to eat things other than refined sugar - but honestly that’s a total guess. As we mentioned earlier a major cause of muscle cramping is an imbalance in electrolytes, and surprisingly, your blood sugar levels have an effect on electrolyte levels. Image via Wikipedia. It is almost a nightly occurance. Referred to as "Nocturnal Leg Cramps" this condition is exceedingly common in aging adults and athletes.. Studies show around 1/3 of adults aged 60 or more experience nocturnal leg cramps, and nearly one-half of those aged 80 years or more. Although research has not proven conclusively that particular foods can increase or decrease the muscle and joint pain of rheumatoid arthritis, people who suffer from joint pain often experience gastrointestinal imbalances associated with inflammation and allergens. It could be a sign of nerve damage, referred to as diabetic neuropathy, which is a result of ongoing high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) with type 2 diabetes. Fights muscle cramps . Causes of Cramping Glucose and Electrolytes. Doctors, neurologists, and physiologists have long been stumped by nighttime leg cramps. A smaller body of research also suggests that diabetes can increase your risk of experiencing leg cramps, potentially due to swings in blood sugar levels, certain medications, and long-term complications such as diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). Moderate consumption of alcohol following exercise causes a loss in muscle strength. High blood sugar: Remove a symptom. This can be done by drinking from six to eight glasses of water daily, as well as avoiding alcoholic drinks and those high in sugar. I am a Type 1 diabetic who has recently been suffering from leg, foot, toe, ankle, thigh, and even hand cramps so bad that I can hardly stand it. One of the most common causes of muscle cramps is dehydration, so staying hydrated is one of the most common remedies for severe leg cramps. Low potassium (hypokalemia) I get the foot and leg and ankle cramps usually in the middle of the night, and then can't sleep. Nocturnal leg cramps can happen to anyone at any age, but they happen most often to older adults. Though there has been extensive research on the safety of aspartame, there is much debate on possible side effects, including muscle cramps and pain. As @MI-XC said - I’d love to know why you believe sugar is causing cramps for you. Cramps: A few months into my sugar-free life I realized that I hadn't had any leg or foot cramps since the diet began. Whether you’re going to bed with leg or menstrual cramps, apple cider vinegar can work a treat. Muscle cramp in my leg… You were searching forGlipizide Leg Cramps? Forcefully stretching the contracted muscle relieves the pain. If blood sugar levels are not controlled, diabetes can lead to health problems that cause joint pain and muscle cramps in the shoulder, hands, wrists, and feet. You don’t have to deal with nighttime leg cramps anymore. Pregnant women are also prone to cramps, especially in the second and third trimesters. I’ve never really heard anyone blame sugar for cramps. Among low-carb and keto eaters leg cramps may be even more prominent. Night leg cramps, also called nocturnal leg cramps, are painful, involuntary contractions or spasms of muscles in your legs, usually occurring when you're in bed. Usually nighttime leg cramps happen to people 50 and older, but can occur in people of all ages. Leg cramps, when a muscle in the leg tightens and doesn't loosen up, causes pain and bulging in the leg. 40% of pregnant women will experience leg cramps at night. Dana the pharmacist says statins and leg cramps are a thing! ... Low blood sugar levels result in a major loss in energy, disturbing the normal functioning of your body and muscles. Nighttime leg cramps are a common problem characterized by painful involuntary contractions or spasms in your lower leg muscles that don’t let up and are hard to touch. The New York Times just published an article indicating that pickle juice (made of salt, vinegar and spices) was helpful at relieving muscle cramps. Taking the supplement CoQ10 helps some people since … Good blood sugar management can help prevent leg pain and reduce the risk of experiencing additional complications. Limb pain is another common complication of the disease and signals a serious condition that, without treatment, can become debilitating. Leg cramps can occur because elevated blood sugar causes excessive urination and subsequent dehydration. When they lose a lot of their ability to work, you might notice muscle cramps, along with other symptoms. 7% of children will, as well. As you better control fluctuating blood glucose levels, you support a longer life span. Leg cramps (especially night cramps) seem to affect people more as they get older, usually affecting the calf muscles in the legs. Aspartame is also used as a powdered sweetener by diabetics and other individuals trying to cut down on calories and sugar. You probably will find some beneficial information in this post, come have a peek! A. “As a pharmacist I have had numerous complaints from patients about muscle cramping, pain and weakness caused by statins. Leg cramps: Causes: Leg cramps; Introduction: Leg cramps; Leg cramps: Add a 3rd symptom; Leg cramps: Remove a symptom. Blood sugar fluctuations cause substances like electrolytes to move in and out of cells through a process called osmosis. Learn more about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of nocturnal leg cramps. Many patients find that dehydration and overexertion inevitably lead to leg cramps, but luckily for most, these cramps are infrequent. Nocturnal leg cramps are a common complaint in medical practices even among people not eating a low-carb or ketogenic diet. What Causes Leg Cramps After Drinking Alcohol? But this could indicate possible nerve damage in your legs or feet.