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There are many reasons for cramping of the legs. The most serious is peripheral vascular disease. The least serious is cold muscles. Other things could be dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. If you think it could be vascular disease, check with her doctor. Sometimes a simple operation can make things better. Also have the doctor check her electrolyte level. If you think her legs are getting chilly at night, try an extra blanket folded over her legs when she sleeps. I have to do this myself because I get calf cramps in the morning if my legs are cold. Hurts!
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Jjkokua, does the cramping happen at night when your Mom lies down? Just wondering.

I have a similar issues with my legs and hips hurting at night, but when I stand up it goes away. Thus, for me, it is probably a back issue. I am able to take an over-the-counter pain pill and that does help [Aleve]. Otherwise, I would wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. I have found watching TV helps me keep my mind off of it.
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How are they eating? A common problem with elderly is malnutrition. Give her foods high in potassium. Such as bananas, avocado, and nuts. Peanuts and almonds especially.
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Jessebelle is right: It could be an electrolyte imbalance.
Sometimes caused by a build up of lactic acid in the over-exerted muscle of atheletes. Or depletion of minerals due to medications, especially pain meds. Loss of muscle mass, or so many things only a doctor could diagnose.
KayKay is also right about the foods to replace potassium.
Try magnesium and Vit. D in therapeutic doses, but see a doctor.

Is she sleeping too much during the day?
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Why are her feet, legs, and thighs cramping every night? Has she seen her Dr.? The elderly are prone to dehydration and dehydration can cause muscle cramps. Is she drinking enough water?

Have you tried massaging her legs?

This sounds like a frustrating problem.
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I got cramp in my feet a lot at night when I was pregnant - and I complained very loudly indeed. And quite swearily, too.

But feet, legs and thighs, all of them... How's your mother's back, I wonder? Is there anything else going on?
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I'd check with her doctor of course, to see if any of the things listed above. Sometimes, seniors are not drinking as many fluids as they think they are.

I know that my mom gets cramps in her feet and legs a lot at night and it seems to be worse when she is not wrapped up warmly or there is cold air or a fan running. She improves with turning off the fan and covering her legs and feet with a blanket as JesseBell suggested.
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The cure for a sudden cramping of the toes, feet, calf, is to jump up and walk it out if at all possible. The idea is to stretch the cramping muscle the opposite way.

Just last night, my big toe did a major turn down, it surprised me-and it hurt so bad-but it also stayed that way! I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I couldn't get up to walk, so I reached down to pull it back, then massage.

Owie, owie, owie...then water, banana, apply heat, lie back flat and stretch....avoid turning foot down or pointed.  Turns out I skipped a dose of magnesium and vit. D.
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Oh my, feet/toe cramps are awful. Sometimes I get them when I drive...big owie! I can watch my toes move too and get stuck in a weird position.
Gonna take everyone's advice
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I'm 62, in good shape, exercise, drink lots of water but a year ago was plagued with leg and toe cramps every single night. My husband suggested putting a pillow under my legs at night or between my legs which is what he does for his bad back. My leg cramps went away first night and have been sleeping this way ever since.
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