Exercise cramps

My son is almost13 very active. He has a problem with leg cramps. A friend who is pharmacist said to give him potassium supplement and have him chew a couple of Rolaids before game. We have eliminated soda on game day and drink water all day. He will then drink power aide during game and more water after game. He still having problems. He is never sick. He is great eater loves veggies and fruit can’t figure it out can you help?

Firstly your son is perfectly healthy. Cramping during or after sport is very common. I am afraid that I don’t know what Rolaids are and therefore what they contain.
If the potassium supplement does not help, I would try a quarter teaspoon of salt and a glass of water about half an hour before the game (DO NOT GIVE MORE SALT THAN THAT). I APPROVE OF Poweraide during the game – it contains both sodium and potassium.
If he still gets cramps after the game the quarter teaspoon of salt plus water can be tried again. The liberal water before and after the game is fine.
Please tell me what is in Rolaids, how he goes and (out of interest) what sport he plays. Tell him I am sympathetic as I was a sufferer with cramps after exercise.

Urinary frequency in a 3 year boy

My 3 and half year-old son urinates frequently. He will just have gone to the toilet only to wee a few minutes later. He sometimes remembers to go most times but often not and will wet his pants. We have had him tested for diabetes insipidus but the results came back normal. He also under went an MRI of the brain. His fluid intake is normal. Any ideas of what the next step could be.

Your son has certainly had very sophisticated investigations for his urinary frequency. I presume he has had a test for urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. I would very much like you to inspect the tip of his penis. If he is uncircumcised push the foreskin back gently (DO NOT FORCE IT BACK) and see if there is any infected material under the foreskin. If he is circumcised look for a small ulcer adjacent to (and possibly running into) the hole at the tip. If either of these is present you need to see your doctor again.
Is he fearful of going to the toilet. All these ideas are to see if he is only letting out a small quantity of urine at each visit.
I would be interested in what happens.