I know they only last about 20 seconds. But man it's a long 20 seconds. I heard if you walk it out it helps. I mainly get mine in my calves. I also heard eating bananas is good for them because of the potasium. Also what causes them ? Sometimes I'll be in bed and just stretch and that causes them.
2007-06-07 10:41:16 · 6 answers · asked by ybmad2087 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Flex your foot when it happens - this stretches the calf muscle and minimizes the charley horse, making it less painful.
Eating bananas is good to prevent them - yes the potassium is what helps.
They're caused by a vitamin deficiency - eat your bananas!
2007-06-07 10:53:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the first place your body targets when you are dehydrated. Drink lots of water! I recommend purified water and mineral water mixed 50/50. The mineral water is going to put back into the muscles what they are losing on a daily basis.
I suggest that adults and children drink 40 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight every day.
In the evening take a hot bath with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts and soak for 30 minutes. Afterwards , if you have something shaped like a cylinder and made out of hard material (think of a large rolling pin you would use for pizza dough or something) place it under your leg and push down and roll it back and forth...this should massage the spasms out of your leg. It will hurt while you're doing it, but more so the type of pain that actually feels good, in the long run.
2007-06-07 12:48:02 · answer #2 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK here are some ideas I have on this topic. First, allow me to say that since having my son 7 years ago, Charley Horses have been a constant in my life. Mine are also in my calves, and it hurst, and it's annoying! UGH.
Bananas do help, indeed, try to eat one a day, even 2 a day, just try to work them into your diet.
The other thing I do, and this is what gets rid of them everytime...When one comes on, I get up from wherever I am at, and I stand...Lets say it's in my right leg...I stand regular on my left leg, but stand on my tip toe on my right leg...the leg that the Charley Horse is in...and I take a few steps around the room. It is gone then.
That is not a cure, of course, but it is a way to get rid of them quickly when they come on.
BesT WisheS!
2007-06-08 11:25:45 · answer #3 · answered by Tammy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You get a muscle spasm (commonly referred to as 'charley horse') because you have excersized your leg, or you are young and still growing taller and your muscle has stretched. At night, when the muscle is still, it contracts and causes pain.
About an hour before going to bed, drink water and eat a banana. You are right about the potassium. You also need fluids to the muscle.
Go to the GNC Store, or the vitamin shelf of your pharmacy or grocery store, and buy "magnesium citrate." Take as prescribed to prevent muscle spasms at night.
You'll start sleeping all night soon. It's common.
2007-06-07 10:51:49 · answer #4 · answered by kNOTaLIAwyR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you take too much Magnesium Citrate it will clean your bowells out!!!
2016-07-17 11:59:52 · answer #5 · answered by Ronnie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pinch your upper lip. I don't know why it helps, but it does.
2007-06-07 10:45:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋