If you suffer from excruciating cramp in your feet or lower legs

If you suffer regularly from excruciating cramp in your feet or lower legs when you are in bed at night please do not let anyone persuade you that it is caused by lack of salt! - If you take extra salt to try to remedy the problem, you will in fact make it worse! Cutting down on salt/sodium and salty food reduces night cramps.

Night cramps are usually caused by a shortage of one or more minerals (but not sodium). The minerals you may be short of may be any one or more of magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc. You may well find that taking a multimineral tablet each day helps with the problem. - In my own case it was magnesium that I was particularly short of, but be aware that magnesium supplements can cause diarrhoea, so don't take a lot! - Also magnesium is best when accompanied by calcium. If you decide to try a supplement containing both these minerals, then best to take it with a meal and a glass of water. - Never overdo things when you are taking supplements - especially if you are taking prescribed medication, because some prescribed medications can change your body chemistry so much!

Another possible reason for your cramp is the prescribed tablets you are taking. - Thiazide diuretics (water tablets) such as Bendrofluazide (aka Bendroflumethiazide or lots of other names) remove sodium and water from the body, usually in order to reduce high blood pressure. Unfortunately they also remove some potassium and magnesium from the body as well. So the resultant shortage of potassium and magnesium may well be what is causing your night cramps. Often all you need to do about the shortage of potassium is to make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. (Sometimes your doctor will already have prescribed you potassium tablets. If that is the case, then don't take extra! - It is good to have enough potassium; it is not good to have too much!)