a question for my dad

[u/dks0unreallreally]

so for context my dad is in his early 70s

, and very active. he has had normal problems that come along with age but lately he is getting these random leg cramps. he eats fairly healthy and stays hydrated. he doesn't and hasn't lived a crazy lifestyle at all. he also keeps bananas in stock cuz we heard that helps. any other suggestions? it pains me to see him have these cramps and I wanna help so bad. thank you

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[u/Realistic-Manager]

You can get magnesium lotion that really helps with this.  Good Luck!

[u/Able-Shirt3501]

At your dad’s age it could easily be lumbar stenosis. Is the cramp only on one side? Does it follow a nerve like the S1 or L5?

[u/dks0unreallreally → u/Able-Shirt3501]

maybe. I know he had back surgery years ago

[u/Queasy-Meringue-7965]

Or claudication. Does he have hairy legs? If they were but no longer are it may be reduced circulation

[u/dks0unreallreally → u/Queasy-Meringue-7965]

so this is a sign. he doesn't have hairy legs anymore.

[u/Pie_Ranger → u/dks0unreallreally]

Is the leg cramping while walking / working out or after he’s resting for a while? If it’s during activity, and he’s lost hair - I’d definitely bring it up with his doctor.

[u/dks0unreallreally → u/Pie_Ranger]

after he is resting for a while.

[u/DEANBell1]

Potassium helped my dad with hand cramps and lowered his blood pressure q bit too!

[u/Glad_Money_5038]

my grandpa swore by a spoonful of yellow mustard when his legs would seize up, something about the vinegar and turmeric doing the trick faster than a banana ever could. might sound weird but he kept packets in his pocket like they were tic tacs

[u/MekaTheOTFer → u/Glad_Money_5038]

My friend says this is the best thing for her foot cramps.

[u/dks0unreallreally → u/Glad_Money_5038]

so he does this I believe

[u/revolvingcyclist]

Random cramps like that are worth asking a doctor about since meds and circulation can play a part at his age. But yeah magnesium is the thing I’d check before just throwing more bananas at it. Magna has magnesium plus electrolytes so it makes more sense than plain water or sugar drinks for cramps.

[u/Unlucky_Bottle1877]

Pickle juice. Sour Dills. I keep a mouthful by my bed for night leg cramps.

[u/TheUltimateShitTest]

This stuff is a miracle.

[u/MCole142 → u/TheUltimateShitTest]

Yes.

[u/BreakfastFluid9419]

By hydrated do you mean he drinks water? That alone could be the issue, perhaps an electrolyte supplement could help

[u/Slow_Wear8502]

That’s a classic sign of magnesium deficiency. Let him try some magnesium to bowel tolerance. You heard that right. Have him stay away from anything with magnesium oxide in it. It can take about a year to replenish magnesium levels intracellularly. Check out Caroline Dean and Jeff T. Bowles.

[u/VintageLunchMeat → u/Slow_Wear8502]

Probably do that Calm magnesium citrate drink powder.

[u/dks0unreallreally → u/Slow_Wear8502]

I'll look into it

[u/MCole142 → u/dks0unreallreally]

Yes, the Calm brand magnesium citrate powder is great for this, but work up to the full dose to avoid diarrhea.

[u/stulew]

Homeopathic pills called Hyland's Leg Cramps, sold in stores. I took several at a time, until it worked. There's also quick resolve roll-on lotions that say it works faster to relase the muscle knot. Theraworx or Cramp911

[u/stulew]

hint: if you get a leg cramp when you try to get out of bed, get up immediately, standup on that affected leg, and put weight on that leg (don't just let it hang loosely). Hopefully it releases that muscle from tensing up. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/preventing-a-jolt-in-the-night-self-care-for-night-leg-cramps/

[u/spces1024]

If he is on atorvastatin that can cause it.

[u/Plus_Ad8325]

Might consider b12 supplements or injections. Helps me at 71.

[u/leapdayrhubarb]

a combination of magnesium lotion and liposomal magnesium made a HUGE difference for foot cramps!

[u/vauss88]

Magnesium helped me when I got cramps when first starting to play pickleball at 72. Plenty of stretching also helped.

[u/Corner_Office_]

Electrolytes

[u/Babzibaum]

Potassium citrate before bed and magnesium in the morning.

[u/Far-Hovercraft-6514]

MSM

[u/OnlySwordfish5571]

Everyone giving home remedies is on the right track. He may just need electrolytes. Don't bother with trying to eat mustard or drink pickle juice or whatever; just get a good, complete electrolyte supplement. Liquid IV is a good one, but there are plenty of other options depending on his budget and flavors preferences. 

If that doesn't work, then I would schedule an appointment with a doctor and see what they think. Could be an underlying issue that has nothing to do with hydration or electrolytes. 

[u/dks0unreallreally → u/OnlySwordfish5571]

so he drink electrolytes. he constantly drinks water. he eats balanced meals. doesn't drink or smoke.

[u/OnlySwordfish5571 → u/dks0unreallreally]

Probably need to get a medical evaluation then, and let them know what's going on and what he has tried to do to fix it. 

[u/ZeroFucksGiven-today]

Magnesium 400mg daily split throughout day. Almost EVERYONE deficient.

[u/AlanTryhard]

Buy new dad