Indian tonic water for cramps

Federal government websites often end in. The site is secure. In a linked research article, Garrison and colleagues 1 report on the seasonal variability of nocturnal leg cramps. Instead, I will focus on the role of quinine in the management of this common condition.

Patients often tell Dr. Kiran V. Patel they've been sipping on quinine water to help ease leg cramps. Well-meaning relatives and even some doctors recommend it, said Patel, who's the director of neurosurgical pain at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York. Last year, the U. Food and Drug Administration warned against using quinine as an antidote for night-time leg muscle cramps or " restless legs ," said Patel. The FDA reported "adverse events with serious outcomes … including 93 deaths" in people who used the remedy.

Indian tonic water for cramps

Leg cramps can be a real pain — literally! That quest for relief has led many to turn to an unexpected remedy: tonic water. But does this fizzy beverage really hold the key to alleviating leg cramps? We spoke with Kaylee Jacks, a sports dietitian at Texas Health Sports Medicine, to dive into the science behind tonic water and explore whether it's truly a helpful solution or just an old wives' tale. Before we get into its potential benefits, let's start by understanding what tonic water is. Tonic water is a carbonated beverage that contains quinine, a bitter compound derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine has been used for centuries to treat malaria, thanks to its antimalarial properties. The Federal Drug Administration FDA currently only approves quinine as a treatment for malaria, even though it had previously been included in over-the-counter medication to treat leg cramps prior to Today, it is primarily used as a flavoring agent in tonic water, giving it a distinctive bitter taste. Quinine, the active ingredient in tonic water, has been suggested as a potential remedy for leg cramps due to its muscle-relaxing properties. It is believed to help reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle contractions that cause cramps. However, the evidence supporting the use of tonic water for leg cramps is limited and mixed. Before , the dose of quinine typically prescribed to treat leg cramps was to mg. In one study , they had their subject drink only tonic water for one day and he experienced a rare blood clotting disorder.

Quinine consumed for the treatment of leg cramps should sexmuseum amsterdam prescribed and monitored by physicians, and people who consume quinine in commercial beverages must be warned of the health risks. We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website and help us understand how our site is used as described in our Privacy Statement and Terms of Use, indian tonic water for cramps.

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Q: I have suffered from nighttime leg cramps for years. These agonizing muscle cramps have affected my sleeping habits. Recently, I read that quinine contained in tonic water is effective in treating leg cramps. Have you had experience with this treatment? A: Doctors used to prescribe quinine to treat leg cramps. In fact, quinine used to be sold over the counter for this purpose. The dose of quinine that many doctors prescribed was to mg.

Indian tonic water for cramps

Opill: Is this new birth control pill right for you? What complications can occur after prostate cancer surgery? When should your teen or tween start using skin products? It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night.

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This article was solicited and has not been peer reviewed. Patients continuing to take quinine after four weeks should be followed and advised periodically to try stopping it. We recognize that some people cannot tolerate tonic water. The lowest-calorie alcoholic drinks can include vodka soda, gin and diet tonic, and white wine spritzer. Just click on the green arrow in the black circle above his photograph:. Of particular concern is the potential for rare but serious hematologic adverse effects i. However, the FDA approved three companies to use quinine in malaria treatments with a boxed safety warning. Other quinine side effects may include nausea, stomach cramps, ringing in the ears, headache, anxiety, blurry or double vision, irregular heart rhythms, skin rash and fever. Quinine sulfate and serious adverse reactions. Have you had experience with this treatment? A few small studies suggest that quinine is effective in decreasing the frequency of nocturnal leg cramps but not their severity or duration.

Quinine is a bitter compound that comes from the bark of the cinchona tree. It was originally developed as a medicine to fight malaria.

Share this article. A Harvard Medical School article published earlier this year explained that leg cramps are "muscle spasms caused by 'mini-seizures' of motor neurons,'" the nerves that help make muscles contract. Today, people sometimes drink tonic water to treat nighttime leg cramps associated with circulatory or nervous system problems. Luo, M. Recent Blog Articles. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements. Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D. Although modestly effective for this indication, quinine is not recommended for routine use because of safety concerns. Is that true? Such individuals can develop a deadly blood disorder. Drinking a few ounces of tonic water shouldn't be harmful, but it isn't likely to prevent your leg cramps. Tonic water contains no more than 83 mg of quinine per liter—a much lower concentration than the to 1, mg in the therapeutic dose of quinine tablets. One more reason to brush your teeth?