Question
78 yrs. female.  For six mths. or so I have had a feeling of skin stretching tight all along instep. Feels real tight towards evening.
Then, both feet feel like they have freezing in them. Laying in bed at night or stretching feet to put shoes etc. on and the whole calf and foot will cramp right up. Cannot stretch out in bed at night, must keep legs bent so they don't cramp. Doc says take lots of magnesium, but how do I know without a test if I am low in it? I read that too much is harmful.

Answer
Dear Pat,

This Orthopedic Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661,Roscoe Village 60618, Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says...

A treatment for numb feet (as described) may be magnesium, among others.
For magnesium, the RDI (recommended daily intake) for adult males is 420 mg a day, but the actual dietary intake may be only @ 320 mg a day, a dietary shortfall of  @ 100 mg a day. Check the magnesium content of what you eat on the internet.

Many natural beverages contain about 100 mg of magnesium per liter, including orange juice, grape juice, milk, some mineral spring waters, many wines, and some beers. Inexpensive magnesium additives with no impacts on flavor include magnesium bicarbonate, magnesium gluconate, and magnesium lactate.
There are blood tests for magnesium. Get a magnesium supplement from your local healths tore with the above guidelines in mind.

Hope this helps.
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in orthopedics and sports medicine.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661


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