i get them every so often. What causes them?
2006-09-21 08:29:34 · 17 answers · asked by lizardeye321 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Drink lots of WATER!!!! I get them in my sleep.. not a great way to be woken up.
http://www.charlie-horses.com/
Oh and est things with pottasium and magnesium in them, such as bananas
2006-09-21 08:31:03 · answer #1 · answered by gravytrain036 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In medical parlance, a charley horse is a painful contusion of the quadriceps muscle of the anterior thigh that commonly results in a muscular hematoma and sometimes several weeks of pain and disability.1,2 It often occurs in sports when an athlete is struck by an opponent's knee, in a manner not unlike the kick of a horse, perhaps the reason for its name. In the UK, such an injury is known as a corky, or corkie.
The quadriceps contusion type of "charley horse" is initially treated by icing. Recent studies have shown that the resulting tightness and contractures that sometimes ensue can be lessened by maintaining the knee in a fully bent position for the first 24 hours to prevent the involved muscles from going into spasm. Premature return to activity can result in calcification of the hematoma in and around the muscle, a long-term problem called myositis ossificans.
A cramp can be quickly defused with either a massage or stretching of the affected muscle. Persistent cramps should be treated by a doctor.
2006-09-21 08:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eat bananas. The lack of potassium is the primary cause of Charlie Horses. Eat bananas.
2006-09-21 08:33:06 · answer #3 · answered by Mom of 3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get them too and they suck! They are caused by using muscles that you don't use everyday or they are caused by moving a muscle in the wrong direction or in a way that its not use to being. Before you go sitting on the floor or running, stretch out first, that should help prevent them. Goodluck!
2006-09-21 08:32:05 · answer #4 · answered by Fantasy686 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get them too. I either eat a banana twice a day or you can get leg cramp pills with quinine in the homopathic section of some larger stores (I found mine at Walmart). Just don't take more than the recommended dosage! Good luck with them they hurt like all get out, don't they?
2006-09-21 09:29:23 · answer #5 · answered by cmdynamitefreckles 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe a "Charlie Horse" is sign of low calcium and Potassium levels...take some supplements and eat melons and bannanas.....
2006-09-21 08:31:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drink plenty of water, and eat bananas. Bananas help, but not sure why. Was told it is the potassium, but can't find any proof of this.
2006-09-21 08:40:11 · answer #7 · answered by gtkaren 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
stretch more and eat more potassium rich foods... don't take potassium supplements unless a doctor tells you to because it's not hard to overdose on the stuff.. but you won't overdose with food.. so eat your bananas!
2006-09-21 08:32:31 · answer #8 · answered by pip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it is one in your leg/calf muscle they can sometimes be caused by lack of potasium...make sure you're getting enough of this mineral, (broccoli, bananas, multi-vitamin) and if you get one stretch your calf/leg out...it may be uncomfortable but it's a good way to pull that muscle out of spasm...
2006-09-21 08:38:21 · answer #9 · answered by *walkinthelight* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a calcium supplement at night, before bedtime - I started doing that years ago, and haven't had a leg cramp since.
2006-09-21 08:37:37 · answer #10 · answered by woodlands127 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋