Why charley horses

Results from these treatments can vary. Even if your spasms are not severe, your provider can help you change your exercise program to reduce the risk of spasms in the future. Geiderman JM, Katz D. General principles of orthopedic injuries. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Physiology and pathophysiology of musculoskeletal tissues. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 1.

Updated by: Linda J. Editorial team. Charley horse. Things that might bring on a muscle spasm include: Exercising when you have not had enough fluids you're dehydrated.

Having low levels of minerals such as potassium or calcium. Exams and Tests. Outlook Prognosis. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Call your provider if: You have a muscle spasm with severe pain. You have weakness with your muscle spasm. You have a muscle spasm that does not stop and it spreads to other parts of the body.

Muscle Cramps. Kevin C. Edwards, PhD. Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. 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. Doctors do not know exactly why muscle cramps happen when a person is exercising or when they have no other medical conditions.

However, one theory is that the charley horse or cramp may involve a nerve in a certain muscle that serves the leg. 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. Most doctors do not recommend quinine tablets because of the potential for adverse effects. Some people use magnesium supplements, but reviews of previous scientific studies did not find enough evidence to suggest that these help.

One theory is that the term comes from a baseball player who was talking about a lame horse. Horses used to help with groundskeeper jobs in baseball.