Physical Problem

Hello Everyone,
I've been suffering from a minor physical problem, that has really been weighing me down when it comes to sports. You see, since I was 2, I've been playing soccer, so I have a lot of experience, and I'm very fit for the sport, however, I seem to be getting cramps in my calf when I run for long distances, and it's been killing me. I'm no longer able to run up and down the pitch several times, because the pain becomes unbearable. I often forget to stretch before a friendly match, because I just want to get into the game. Could that be the reason? I really want to find a solution to this problem. Thanks

You have to stretch and warm up before any exercise but if your having a problem you should see a doctor.

He'll see what's wrong with you now and tell you how to warm up properly so it doesn't happen again.

Only one solution: See a doctor

crosscheck9,

It sounds like you have a lack of water. Do you hydrate often? But by all means see a doctor.

Regards,

I appreciate all of the quick replies. I actually do lack water. I regularly wake up in the morning, and have a glass of water, and then another glass at mid-day, and then one final one in the evening, however, for about 1 week now, I've been fasting from Sunrise to Sunset. I can pretty much only consume air, unless I'm ill. These are for religious reasons, and it will be going on for about another 21 days, so thats how it's gonna be. However at sunset, I do eat, and drink, and make up for what I've lost. I don't think 1 week of lack of water would do this though. Also, seeing a doctor would be a waste of money, seeing as how it's only for a check up. I find they are all too expensive, and I don't want to risk the money. I already know how to warm up well, (They taught it to us year after year..... ) so, I don't think a doctor can teach me anything new. Thanks for your kind advice though. Nice to know you all care enough to reply to this very off topic post, (I apologize for that btw.) Have a good day/evening

A doctor knows about your problem better from everyone.Warming up before sports its a MUST, as dear RadarMan already said.

Let us know

Again, I appreciate your kind reply. I guess it is a must to warm up. My brother was a 'STAR' football (soccer) player when he was younger. He is know in university though, and he realized that as he slowly lost time for the sport, he found he became very stiff. He can no longer completely straighten his elbow. He does regret it, and very often advises me to resolve my standard way of refusing to warm up before a game. I understand it is necessary, but sometimes, I start to think it's just too time consuming...I just want to get to the game sometimes. Ofcourse a doctor would know best..it's his job. I agree with all of you. I would problebly receive the best advice from a professional. I'll figure something out. I read somewhere that a lack of potassium is a big factor, so I'll try increasing my potassium levels, and evening out my electrolytes by Orange Juice, Bannana's etc. I'll see what happens. Again, thank you all so much.

Just out of curiosity, could you drop me a PM about the religious fast that you're on. It's made me curious, and it sounds neat!

Crossheck you post wheh i was writting my former post....Anyway i think that seeing a doctor isnt so big deal...Im sure that your going to figure out that he knows some things more than you .Lark of water is a serious point ,and to your age it is a must ,also, to drink at least half litre per day(how big is your three glasses??? )and feed yourself well.

Do not try to diagnose your self. We see this all the time in the Emergency Departmen, patients trying to dx them selves by inormation from friends/family or the internet. Most are way off base with their conclusions. Go see your doctor. It may be something simple, or maybe not. Don't risk it. Better to pay for a check-up and find nothing wrong, than to not get the checkup and end up with something that could have been solved early.

You should see a doctor.

Ok, I suppose I'll post a few things, not to diagnose, mind you, nor to scare you. Just as an example of how simple or how complicated things may be.

The ache might be something from your musculoskeletal system. Meaning, any of (but not limited to) the following: Simple strain on the muscle, muscular tear, ligament damage, "silent" bone fracture, hypertrophy, abcess, neoplasia.

It might be something wrong with the homeostatic mechanism - cramps by the way usually have to do with magnesium and calcium levels rather than potassium (a healthy organism almost never goes out of potassium balance). Hence bananas won't fix it, nor would magnesium (trace element) substitutes.

Aside from all that, it could be any number of things, systematic inflammation, local inflammation, haematological disorders, neoplasia, nerve damage or atrophy or... nothing. Just being tired.

You see, a visit to the doctor is never "wasted". If the problem persists and it wasn't just after a couple of games see an orthopedic surgeon first (I would advise).