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Sometimes muscles in the soles of the feet also cramp. Research has not identified precisely what causes nighttime muscle cramps. Less common causes include diabetes, Parkinson's disease, hypoglycemia, anemia, thyroid and endocrine disorders and use of some medications. To prevent cramping consider the regular use of supplements, especially calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium (only if your sodium intake is low or if you sweat a lot).
Take a hot shower or warm bath, or apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle. Such medications include diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl), simple muscle relaxants such as meprobamate (Equanil, Miltown) and verapamil hydrochloride (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan). Quinine, while effective, has too many side-effects and has been banned in the US for this use.
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