Of course I am willing to help in this way, but I do love my sleep...is there anything you can suggest that can help relieve the pain.A. I prescribe red raspberry leaf most frequently to pregnant women who are experiencing leg cramps because they have nutrient deficiencies. This herb is also an excellent source of calcium. According to The Whole Pregnancy Handbook, red raspberry leaf cannot stop in-progress leg cramps, but it can decrease the frequency and intensity of cramps. Drink up to four 8 oz. cups of the tea, hot or chilled, every day. You can find Red Raspberry leaf in any good heath store.Another favorite is ginkgo biloba because it promotes healthy blood circulation in your limbs. It's best used as a daily supplement to increase blood flow and protect the blood vessels from damage. It works particularly well for those who experience leg cramps habitually, either at night or during exercise. Look for 60 mg tablets and take them according to the instructions on the packaging. Liquid ginkgo extract, which you can add to tea, is also available in health food stores. Ginger also helps prevent blood clots and encourages healthy circulation to the hands and feet. This herb can ease the pain that comes with muscle spasms, as well as decrease the occurrence of leg cramps. There are several different ways to take ginger, and all are effective on leg cramps. Steep peeled and chopped fresh ginger root in a cup of boiling water to make a spicy ginger tea, which you can consume several times a day. You can also add fresh ginger to soups, stir-frys and baked goods to reap the herb's benefits.You should also advise your wife to eat more magnesium-rich foods, such as whole grains, beans, dried fruits, nuts and seeds. Fresh parsley and fresh watercress are herbs high in absorbable calcium and magnesium.Since cramps are believed to arise from a lack of calcium and magnesium, you should avoid the following foods since they are said to interfere with calcium absorption; spinach, chocolate and brewer's yeast. It's also crucial to make sure your wife stays hydrated. Keeping muscles hydrated can help prevent cramps. If her urine is dark yellow, it may mean that she is not getting enough water. Finally I advise that she does daily gentle stretching exercises, walk or swims and if possible tries a weekly prenatal massage.Q. Why do we hiccup and what do you recommend is the best way to stop?A. Hiccups occur when the diaphragm contracts repeatedly causing the opening between the vocal cords to slam shut, generating the hic sound. Hiccups may be due to fast eating with the chance of swallowing air, or eating too much foods causing irritation of the diaphragm. The most simple and effective remedy is to hold your breath as long as possible, and let it go out. The lungs expand and push down on the diaphragm, stopping hiccups immediately.This column is brought to you as general information only and unless stated otherwise is not medical advice nor is it based on medical experiments. This column is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. For more information about specific problems, please contact a doctor.
Ask Natalie: If you have a health query and would like an alternative answer then email Natalie with your question at nateopath@gmail.com.Someone Once Said: "Man is ill because he is never still."- Paracelsus