Q: I usually suffer severe cramps all over my body muscles at night. I wake up, stand and stretch in vain. The pain is usually so intense that I feel like crying loudly like a baby. Doc, what is the cause of these cramps? Is there any type of food or drink to avoid? What medicine should I take to remedy them?

A: Cramps can be extremely painful…I know, I had quite a lot in my first pregnancy 😀 They are involuntary contractions of muscles which happen suddenly. Involuntary means that you can’t control them…you’re minding your business and then they just show up 😀

If you’re a sports enthusiast, you probably have experienced this after prolonged periods of exercise. You’ve also, probably, experienced this after sitting still for a long time or for women, during pregnancy. These cramps may generally be due to dehydration, deficiency of certain minerals like…