Muscle cramps, though normally innocuous, can make it hard to utilize the afflicted muscle for a short period of time. "You should forcefully stretch the affected muscle. Stretch and massage. As of right now, there isn't much insight available as to how soap . 7 Charley Horse Home Remedies. When you get a muscle cramp, it means that one or more of your muscles clench or spasm suddenly and without warning. Muscle cramps, or charley horses as they are sometimes called, are extremely common and occur when muscles involuntarily contract and cannot relax. But if you have other symptoms, you may have an underlying condition. Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as: Inadequate blood supply. Such an injury is referred to as a dead leg in this later sense. Note Parkinson's disease. A charley horse can be caused by a direct blow or sudden stretch of the muscle, but most of the time they're . A thigh contusion is a medical term that refers to an injury that occurs as a consequence of a direct strike to the thigh. Medications that may be used include: Leg cramps may be exacerbated by some drugs, such as diuretics, blood pressure meds, or statins. Dehydration, Elevated amounts of electrolytes (e.g., magnesium, potassium, and calcium), There is insufficient blood flow to your muscles, Pregnancy, certain medications, and other factors Gettingdialysis, Those who are overweight Women who are pregnant, Those who have specific medical issues, such as thyroid and nervous system abnormalities, Stretching and consuming plenty of water will not help you feel better, These symptoms are accompanied by swelling, redness, or a warm sensation. Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. The name was allegedly derived from a baseball player named Charley, who had muscular cramps while pitching during a game in 1880, according to a tale that published in the Washington Post in 1907. Using the opposite direction of the cramp to massage or stretch the leg and/or foot might provide relief. This will also aid in the alleviation of a back thigh (hamstring cramp). You may also try applying pressure to the spot of the cramp with both of your thumbs, gradually increasing the pressure until the pain subsides. For example, your brain might mistakenly tell your leg to move while you dream. Charley horses seem to happen out of the blue, and they stop just as abruptly. Increasing your magnesium intake, according to a large body of research, can reduce the frequency of nighttime leg cramps, which is particularly problematic for pregnant women. Home / giving someone a charley horse; giving someone a charley horse. Just as leg cramps can be symptomatic of certain health problems, they are also a side effect of certain medications. Winkelman JW (accessed November 18, 2015), Winkelman JW. Charley horse is just another name for a muscle spasm. And musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis. A charley horse, often known as a leg cramp, is a frequent ailment that does not generally signal the presence of a major medical condition. The importance of having enough cannot be overstated, yet stocking up on extra supplies will not spare you from the dreaded charley horse alarm clock call. The most insanely painful fucking things that can happen to someone is to have their genitals fucked. However, why these nighttime spams occur isnt entirely understood. Heres how we went about it. When a spasm occurs suddenly and without warning, it is usually short, but it can continue several minutes or even up to ten minutes. Using sports drinks can help you replenish electrolytes if you engage in strenuous exercise or exercise in hot weather. Richard Charley horse - Punch 14,599 views Dec 22, 2012 Punching leg as hard as possible to give a charley horse Dislike Share Conedyourbutt 15 subscribers Comments 14 Add a comment. Cramping can occur during or after exercise due to a variety of factors including neurological changes, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances, particularly in the arms and legs. One massage you should try is to apply pressure to the cramp. One is from either over-working the muscle, in which case you should be sure to warm up properly before and after exercise and stretch after exercise. Photo Credit: Pixabay. Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more of your muscles. A leg cramp feels like a clenched, contracted muscle tightened into a knot. It was commonly shortened to VC, which in military alphabet code was spoken as Victor Charlie. When the frequency or severity of muscular cramping increases, it is important to see a doctor since it might indicate an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. It can also cause a lot of pain. Stretch and massage are usually the best approaches when you have a charley horse that you are looking to relive. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs . (1950). Leg cramps have also been linked to extended sitting or sitting in an uncomfortable position, which may be interfering with the circulation in your legs. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including the following: The discomfort of a muscle cramp, sometimes known as a charley horse, is something that almost everyone has experienced. When a person is suffering from a charley horse, the following actions may be of assistance in alleviating their symptoms: A massage of the tight muscle has been shown to be effective by some persons. You can also try using both of your thumbs to gradually apply pressure to the site of the cramp until the pain goes away. After that, the muscles are governed in a different way, and cramps either fade completely or do not occur at all. But if you get them often and for no clear reason, tell your doctor. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating properly, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep, Take a warm bath or shower to relieve tension in your muscles. Muscle cramps, particularly leg cramps, are common among those who sleep with their legs crossed. If you get leg cramps at night on a regular basis, stretch your leg muscles before bed and drink lots of water. It was once used to refer to bruising of the quadriceps muscle of the anterior or lateral thigh, or concussion of the femur, which usually leads in a haematoma and, in some cases, several weeks of discomfort and impairment. The health outlet says that you can try a warm bath or shower or use a heating pad or warm towel directly applied to . This may help if nerve compression causes your spasms. This term was first used in the 1880s among baseball players. by Jay Parker August 4, 2006 Get the Charlie Horse mug. Try forcefully stretching the affected muscle (for example, stretch your calf muscle by flexing your foot upward). Your doctor may prescribe pain medications if ibuprofen doesnt help. How do you use Charlie Horse in a sentence? Dr. Oz explained that when the nerve touches a muscle, it shakes the muscle and tells it to move. We know that the term charley horse originated when American baseball players were describing the cramps. Cramping is also common in pregnant women. Type 2 diabetes. Nicole Nelson, adjunct instructor in clinical and applied movement sciences at Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida, explains that while many people believe that the sodium in that juice is responsible for the effect, she believes that relief comes too quickly for sodium to have been absorbed into your system. Straighten your back leg with the cramp. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Definition of a charley horse in the Idioms Dictionary. giving someone a charley horse. Interestingly, vinegar appears to be able to outsmart this reaction. Then, lay down flat on your back & keep one of your legs in the "crossed" position, extend your other leg to be straight. Experts don't know the exact cause of nighttime leg cramps. Gentle is the key, she says. While muscle spasms can occur in any muscle throughout your body, they are most commonly felt in the leg. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 3. Muscle spasms that create charley horses as you sleep are a typical occurrence in the population. And a charley horse can occur at any time of the day or night. Avoid exercising the same muscles on consecutive days. 28. Your email address will not be published. Dehydration should be avoided. Muscles in your legs can get tight after exercising or playing sports. It can be severely uncomfortable, painful or even unbearable. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief. A more forceful approach is required for recurrent charley horses. As there is no obvious connection between horses and this particular bodily phenomenon, one might wonder from where the term "charley horse" came from. According to current understanding, a charley horse is more of aneuromuscular condition, in which your skeletal muscles over-fire and bunch up into what you recognize as a cramp for whatever reason. Mineral deficiencies or electrolyte imbalances, such as those in magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium, are known to enhance the likelihood of obtaining a charley horse. Required fields are marked *. Heating pads can accelerate the relaxation process, while an ice pack can help numb the pain. They are quite prevalent and frequently arise as a result of physical activity. The science behind why it is effective. NLCs, also called charley horses, are uncontrolled spasms in the muscles of the leg that may be painful. If none of these therapies work for you, and you are still experiencing severe continuous cramping that is interfering with your sleep and everyday activities, see your doctor, Dr. Lee-Iannotti said. Metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and thyroid dysfunction are also available. Collectively the United States often called them the Viet Cong. But theyll also give you magnesium and calcium. Anyone who experiences leg cramps after taking prescription medications should consult with a doctor or pharmacist, who can provide advice on whether or not the medicine should be changed. If youve ever been startled awake in the middle of the night or halted in your tracks by a sudden charley horse, you know how painful muscular cramps can be. People who engage in rigorous and regular exercise, such as crunches and situps, are more prone to experience muscular spasms as a result of muscle tension. A person may want to attempt the following methods to avoid getting a charley horse or a muscular cramp: A number of individuals take magnesium supplements to try to ease muscle cramps. Hypothyroidism. A calf muscle strain is most usually associated with lower leg pain, although it can also manifest itself in the foot and, on rare occasions, the thigh. While this has not been verified, it is a possibility. Using gentle stretching or massage motions to relax the muscle Applying heat when a muscle is tight and ice when a muscle is painful will help to relieve the pain. While maintaining your knee fully extended, point the toes of the afflicted leg toward your head to relieve calf spasm or charley horse pain Dr. Charlie Horse is an uncommon misspelling of charley horse. Tetany, which is an electrolyte imbalance caused by low calcium levels, Being above the age of 60: A total of 37 percent of Americans over the age of 60 suffer from nocturnal leg cramps, Being pregnant entails a number of changes. 2.Infants and children. Find out what causes leg cramps here. Many athletes recommend that you have a potassium-rich banana as soon as you cross the finish line. When did you first notice you had cramps? This material was generated and maintained by a third party and imported onto this website in order to assist users in providing their email addresses for further consideration. Your doctor can usually make a diagnosis based on your medical history and a physical examination. This can result in widespread bruising, discomfort, and restriction of movement as a result. Athletesoften suffers from charley horses as a result of muscular exhaustion or excessive usage. Cramping of the muscles occurs in around 50% of pregnant women, especially at night. Muscle cramps normally go away on their own and are not acute enough to necessitate medical attention in most cases. Mineral magnesium is the fourth most prevalent mineral in the body and is critical in the regulation of your bodys function and health. Charley horses do tend to occur more often among people in the following groups: People who are obese are more likely to experience charley horses because of poor circulation in their legs. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of having night leg cramps. The following conditions: pregnancy, hypothyroidism, metabolic disorders, alcoholism, kidney failure, and certain medications. This would apply if a charley horse occurs more than once a week without an adequate explanation. They can be caused by fatigue or overuse. As soon as the leg cramp happens, pull your toes up toward your knee and it may disappear. Cramping is common in athletes who become weary and dehydrated when participating in warm-weather activities. Swimming in warm water or spraying the tight muscle with hot water can also help relieve itching and discomfort. Charley horse is popularly spelled Charlie horse or charlie horse. Does your condition include any additional symptoms, such as muscular weakness or numbness? However, the exact reason for the occurrence of these evening spams is still a mystery. How often and severe are your cramps? Of course, a charley horse can be quite painful at any other time of the year. Pamprin and Midol, two over-the-counter pain relievers that are developed to treat menstrual cramps, can be an effective therapy for severe leg cramps. Researchers believe that pickle juice may alleviate cramps by stimulating muscle responses when the liquid comes into touch with the back of the throat. Some fundamental questions to ask your doctor about muscular cramps are as follows: Please do not hesitate to ask any more questions. Which hamstring muscle acts only on the knee joint?