Nighttime leg cramps are not the same as restless legs syndrome. If you get these cramps often, you know they can be very painful and sleep-disturbing. Non-drug methods of reducing cramps include stretching the muscles prior to bedtime, keeping hydrated and applying cold or hot packs. Some people say that vitamin B complex vitamins help as well as magnesium and calcium supplements. These are ideas are good places to start if you suffer from bad leg cramps.
Thousands of chemical reactions are occurring in our bodies continuously. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium are often involved in these reactions. Magnesium, for example, is involved in more than 300 chemical processes in our bodies and it’s an important mineral that can help reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Good food sources include legumes, whole grains, nuts and leafy green vegetables. Magnesium supplements are also available to boost your daily intake.
As winter approaches, many people think about vitamin D supplements to replace the source of vitamin D received from sunshine in the summer. There is a plant source of D called vitamin D2. However, it is not as readily absorbed as the animal source, vitamin D3. If you are taking a vitamin D supplement, ensure it’s labeled with the D3 version. Absorption is much better.
When you receive a prescription that’s new to you, the pharmacist and doctor will inform you of any side effects that may occur. Sometimes just the suggestion of a side effect may influence the brain into thinking you might have that side effect. This is called the nocebo effect where a negative expectation is realized more strongly that it otherwise would. A placebo effect is when a positive benefit is experienced from something that shouldn’t give that effect.
It’s flu immunization season again….time to remind everyone to get the flu shot this year. In future years, the flu “shot” may be replaced by a new option being researched. It’s a special patch that when applied to the skin will allow the vaccine to be absorbed through the skin. For people who have an aversion to a needle, this will be a happy situation. But for now, the quick little prick of a needle is available to enhance your immunity to the flu. Get yours soon.
Be sure to visit Penny at Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy in the Home Health Care department for your compression stocking, mastectomy or ostomy needs.
Bill Coon graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto in 1984, and was the Faculty’s Centennial Scholar that same year. Bill and his pharmacist wife, Barbara, along with Paul Whitehead, opened Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy in 1990. The understanding that medications are only part of the health solution has lead to Bill’s interest in fitness and health, both personally and professionally. Bill’s Capsule Comments provide a full range of up to date health information.
Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy is conveniently located in the Huntsville Professional Building ~ 348 Muskoka Road 3 North, Huntsville Phone:(705) 789-1785
Read more from Bill on the Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy Facebook page.
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