Understanding Charley Horse The unbelievably common leg cramps people experience is medically termed as Charley Horse. Speak to your doc as fluctuations in potassium.
Charley Horse Calf Cramps Oh My The Mint Hill Times
Charley horses are cramps that are caused by muscle spasms involuntary contractions of one or more muscles.
Why do people get charlie horses. Those of us that get night time leg cramps know how painful they can be. Its also not totally clear why charley horses often happen during sleep but experts have some theories. Charlir Horses are caused due to hormonal imbalances dehydration low levels of potassium or calcium in the blood side effects of medication or more seriously diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neuropathy.
Charley horses are mostly spasms in the calf muscles that occur particularly at night. Any muscle in the body can go into a spasm although this medical condition occurs most commonly in the muscles of the legs. Learn more about the causes risk.
Often times a doc gives a patient potassium supplements. When these muscle spasms do not stop for many seconds it. The causes can range from abnormalities in your blood potassium to rare neurological diseases.
Alas these arent the only reasons a charley horse strikes. They are not harmful but they can be extremely uncomfortable. Charley Horse is an involuntary muscle spasm leading to cramps.
Some of the other causes include. At the end of the day fatigue of the muscles due to poor posture prolonged sitting or inefficient biomechanics during exercises can create the tightness or spasm said Jonathan Meltzer a physical therapist at Rausch Physical Therapy in Laguna Niguel California. 28 years experience Podiatry.
Commonly called a leg or foot cramp Charley horse in toes feet or calves can be extremely annoying. Related Questions Answered on YAnswers. Deficiency of calcium in pregnant women can also be another reason for the onset of Charley horse.
Athletes often experience charley horses because of muscle fatigue or overuse. Its a very common position to be in explains. A 32-year-old member asked.
Why do i get charlie horse in my legs and feet when on hctz hydrochlorothiazide. Other reports say the phrase has nothing to do with a live animal but rather the fact that an injured player while running resembles a rocking horse or a child riding astride a wooden hobby. In the 1880s multiple publications referred to the term charley horse often capitalized as Charley horse or spelled Charlie horse as something familiar to baseball players who reportedly used it to describe certain muscle injuries or pains.
The term charley horse has been used to refer to painful muscle cramps particularly when they occur in the leg. Charley horses are incredibly painful muscle spasms typically in the legs. Exactly what causes a Charley horse is not known but common triggers include muscle injury overuse or strain from vigorous exercise not stretching before or after working out exercising in extreme heat or cold andor dehydration Dr.
I find that taking a magnesium supplement or a couple calciummagnesium pills with a glass of water will cure most of my charlie horses within minutes. Why do I get charlie horses in my legs. Leg cramps occur because the muscle involuntarily contracts without initially relaxing.
The skeletal muscles those over which we have voluntary control are most prone to cramping. Men get charley horses or muscle cramps in the calf muscles because they are contracting their toes and ankle muscles while having sex. Low level of liquids in the body while exercising might be.
A number of different reasons but for me the two most common causes are starting a new walking or running exercise routine or having a mineral deficiency. Low levels of minerals such as sodium magnesium or potassium in the body can be one of the reasons for Charlie horses. Charlie Horses can be caused by dehydration too much caffeine or too much booze as well as a deficiency of potassium bananas calcium dairy.
You are more likely to deal with these cramps as you age. You get this pain when a muscle in your body gets stiff and fails to relax. Charley horse is just another name for muscle spasm that is marked by uncomfortable muscle contractions.
People who are obese are more likely to experience charley horses because of poor circulation in their legs. You can also get a charley horse while exercising -- not that its an excuse to skip the gym. Muscle cramps or spasms occur when muscles involuntarily contract and cannot relax.
It mostly occurs in the legs.