How long does charley horse last

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Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. Sometimes, your muscles can respond poorly to bad exercise techniques, such as overuse or not properly warming up or cooling down after a workout.

Reduced blood flow. If you lie still in bed or if you hold your leg at an awkward angle for a long period of time, your muscle might cramp because of low blood flow to the muscle itself.

These include: Redness. A blood clot in your leg can cause inflammation to show on the skin. Because clots can cause a block in a major blood vessel in the leg, you can have some swelling as blood flow becomes restricted.

The leg may also feel warm to the touch. Lingering pain. After the initial pain subsides, you will still have pain in your leg, especially with pressure or as you walk. The pain will not usually resolve on its own and may feel like a deep muscle ache. Urgent or Emergency Care Responses Sometimes, you should go to the hospital for blood clots and even leg cramps. In this article, we look at common causes of cramps that occur after your period ends. We also look at symptoms, and ways to manage period cramps.

Menstrual cramps are a natural occurrence, but severe cramps can affect a person's quality of life. Here, learn how to manage them and when to see a…. Everything you need to know about a charley horse. Takeaway A charley horse refers to a muscle cramp that is sudden and painful.

Share on Pinterest Cramps are common during exercise. A warm-up before starting can help to reduce the risk. Risk factors. Share on Pinterest To relieve a leg cramp, straightening the leg and pulling the foot back toward the shin may help.

Natural remedies and prevention. Why are cramps called charley horses? Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. What are muscle cramps? You can have a cramp in any muscle, but they happen most often in the Thighs Feet Hands Arms Abdomen Area along your ribcage What causes muscle cramps? Causes of muscle cramps include: Straining or overusing a muscle.

This is the most common cause. Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back Dehydration Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium , or calcium Not enough blood getting to your muscles Pregnancy Certain medicines Getting dialysis Sometimes the cause of muscle cramps is unknown. Who is at risk for muscle cramps?

Anyone can get muscle cramps, but they are more common in some people: Older adults People who are overweight Athletes Pregnant women People with certain medical conditions, such as thyroid and nerve disorders When do I need to see a health care provider for muscle cramps? But you should contact your health care provider if the cramps Are severe Happen frequently Don't get better with stretching and drinking enough fluids Last a long time Are accompanied by swelling, redness, or a feeling of warmth Are accompanied by muscle weakness What are the treatments for muscle cramps?