What Causes A Charley Horse In Your Leg

It s not entirely understood what causes charley horses though a number of factors could be at work.

Alas these aren t the only reasons a charley horse strikes. The term charley horse has been used to refer to painful muscle cramps particularly when they occur in the leg. Like leg pain the cramping sensation with dvt will persist and even worsen with time. Working your muscles too much.

They re common in your legs. For many years experts believed muscle cramping was linked to dehydration and a loss of electrolytes which creates an imbalance of minerals like magnesium and potassium in the body though research now suggests it may have more to do with muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction. Whether you call it a foot or leg cramp aka charley horse it s a common somewhat mysterious pain that happens when a muscle gets involuntarily stiff and can t relax. If you ve ever been awakened in the night or stopped in your tracks by a sudden charley horse you know that muscle cramps can cause severe pain.

The skeletal muscles those over which we have voluntary control are most prone to cramping. Athletes often experience charley horses because of muscle fatigue or overuse. You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. A deficiency of magnesium is the leading cause of muscle spasms and it s the leading cause of charley horses.

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Do bananas help charley horses. These cramps can happen anywhere in your body. A dvt blood clot can cause a calf cramp that feels a lot like a charley horse. While they can be uncomfortable they are rarely harmful.

The condition most typically happens in the calf muscle at the back of the lower leg. They tend to happen more frequently as we age says sports medicine specialist caitlin lewis md. You can also get a charley horse while exercising not that it s an excuse to skip the gym. Long periods of exercise or physical labor particularly in hot weather can lead to muscle cramps.

Things that can trigger a charley horse include. It won t clear up with stretching or walking it off like an ordinary charley horse. People who are obese are more likely to experience charley horses because of poor circulation in their legs. Some of the other causes include.