The study noted that the nerve fired at high rates of up to electrical discharges every second. This high level of electrical activity forced the muscle into a tight squeeze. Risk factors for leg cramps include :. A review of studies published in found that the following types of illness often occur alongside leg cramps:. Anyone who has a problem with leg cramps after taking prescription drugs may want to talk to a doctor or pharmacist, who can advise about changing the medication. Some drugs can increase the risk of leg cramps, including:.
Other types of drug that may lead to leg cramps include statins for reducing cholesterol and diuretics for removing excess fluid from the body. The use of some stimulants, such as amphetamines and caffeine, may increase the risk of experiencing a charley horse or leg cramp. Anyone who notices an increase in the frequency or severity of muscle cramps should see a doctor, as they may have an underlying problem that needs addressing.
When a person visits a doctor about a charley horse problem, the doctor will more than likely ask about their symptoms, including:.
There is little evidence that medical intervention can help cure or reduce muscle cramping. However, when a muscle is cramping, and a person experiences a charley horse, the following action may help them find some relief:. If there are signs that an underlying problem may be causing the cramps, the doctor can suggest further tests. If the person is taking a drug that increases the chance of cramping, a doctor may change this or the dosage.
Some people take quinine tablets to reduce cramping, but research has not confirmed whether this is safe or effective. The question is, how much research do you want done on you for just a cramp?
If you ask people if they want a muscle biopsy, they are going to say 'no way. Because nighttime cramps are short-lived and relatively harmless, doctors only have a collection of educated guesses as to why cramps happen, although, according to Dr. Dana Stearns, an emergency physician in the department of emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, "No one's given a good explanation.
The suspected cramp culprits are electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. Certain medications, like antipsychotics and blood pressure or diabetes drugs can act as triggers for the problem. So can exercise and sitting in some positions for too long. Another clue is the fact that pregnant women and elderly people seem to get charley horses much more frequently, though people of every age and condition do get them. Ultimately, doctors suspect the different physical triggers cause the same thing.
Key minerals — sodium, potassium and calcium — all play a role in causing muscles to contract. When the levels of one or more of the minerals are depleted or changed, say, from lack of hydrating or from excessive sweating, muscle contraction can go awry.
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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Charley Horse. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Causes Risk factors Diagnosis Treatment Alternative treatments Prevention Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. What is a charley horse? What causes a charley horse? Risk factors for charley horses. Diagnosing the cause of frequent charley horses.
Treatment for a charley horse. Alternative treatments. Preventing charley horses. Read this next. Sports Health. Take that, muscle cramps!. Harvard Health Publishing. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. NHS Inform. Leg Cramps. North American Spine Society. Muscle Spasms. Charley Horse. Charley Horse Pain Relief.
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