What Causes Muscle Cramps Like Charlie Horses?

Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period can cause a muscle cramp. In many cases, however, the cause isn’t known. Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as: Inadequate blood supply.

What medical condition can cause Charlie horses?

Charley Horse Causes

• Poor blood flow.
• Working your muscles too much.
• Not stretching enough.
• Being active in high temperatures.
• Dehydration.
• A lack of magnesium and/or potassium in your diet.
• A problem such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in your neck or back.
• Kidney disease.

What diseases have muscle cramps as a symptom?

Hypothyroidism: Having a thyroid gland that is less active than normal can lead to muscle cramps. Low electrolyte levels: Low levels of substances such as calcium or potassium in the blood can cause muscle cramps.

What is the difference between a muscle cramp and a charley horse?

A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm or cramp. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body, but often happen in the leg. When a muscle is in spasm, it contracts without your control and does not relax.

What are 5 common causes of muscle cramps?

What causes muscle cramps?

• Initiation of new exercise.
• Dehydration.
• Electrolyte imbalance.
• Aging.
• Inactivity.
• Diabetes.
• Pregnancy.
• Certain medications, most notably diuretics and statins.

When should I worry about charley horses?

If the contracting muscles don’t relax for several seconds or more, the pain can be severe. Severe charley horses can result in muscle soreness that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a day. This is normal, so long as the pain isn’t prolonged or recurring.

What do Charlie horses indicate?

Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps (NLCs), are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. NLCs, also called charley horses, are uncontrolled spasms in the muscles of the leg that may be painful.

Are leg cramps related to heart problems?

Can a leg cramp be a sign of heart problems and/or a stroke? The answer is yes. Poor circulation in the legs’ arteries can be a sign of poor circulation in heart arteries.

What can I drink for leg cramps?

Drink plenty of fluids. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, will often help leg cramps.

Can a charley horse cause a blood clot?

Several of the above situations that trigger a Charlie Horse may also increase risk of blood clot development, especially dehydration and inadequate blood flow, such as remaining sedentary for long periods of time.

When should I be concerned about leg cramps?

When to seek medical advice. If you only get leg cramps occasionally, it is not a cause for concern and a medical diagnosis is not required. A visit to your GP will only be necessary if you get leg cramps frequently, or if they are so painful they disrupt your sleep and you are unable to function normally the next day.

Is cramp a symptom of diabetes?

Muscle cramping is a relatively common manifestation of DM. It can be the result of electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, peripheral vascular disease with arterial insufficiency, and/or peripheral neuropathies. The cramps tend to be more common in the lower extremities and may be seen more commonly at night.

Can leg cramps cause stroke?

Doctors said that leg pain can, in some cases, be an early warning sign of a deadly stroke or heart attack. This is because cramps can be a marker of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which can put heart and brain health at risk.

How can you tell the difference between leg cramp and blood clot?

A calf cramp can commonly present in both legs, where as a blood clot will usually appear in one spot. A DVT will often present with pain, redness, heat and a palpable lump, whereas a strain or muscle cramp will be painful but doesn’t always have redness or heat radiating from the area.

What are the first signs of a blood clot in the leg?

Symptoms of DVT in the leg are:

• throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh.
• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
• warm skin around the painful area.
• red or darkened skin around the painful area.
• swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them.

How can you tell the difference between a blood clot and a charley horse?

Timing: DVT symptoms are usually subtle at the start and then gradually increase over days. Cramps are the opposite. They typically start suddenly and feel severe but go away just as quickly and last only seconds to minutes.

What cancers cause muscle cramps?

Certain types of cancer are more likely to cause muscle aches, including: Tumors that start in a muscle, such as some kinds of soft-tissue sarcoma. Tumors that press against a muscle. Cancers that cause the body to make too many white blood cells, such as certain types of leukemia.

What is your body lacking that causes muscle cramps?

Muscles need calcium to function properly, which is why a lack of calcium in your blood can lead to muscle-related complications, including muscle cramps and irregular heartbeat ( 12 ).

What neurological disorders cause cramps?

Acquired demyelinating neuropathies (eg, acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies [AIDP and CIDP]) are also associated with muscle cramps. A high proportion of individuals with nonneuromuscular neurologic conditions (eg, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders) experience muscle cramps.

What are 6 causes for muscle cramps?

The exact cause of muscle cramp is not known, but risk factors may include:

• Tight, inflexible muscles.
• Poor physical condition.
• Poor muscle tone.
• Inadequate diet.
• Physical overexertion.
• Physical exertion of cold muscles.
• Muscle injury.
• Muscle fatigue.