Have you ever suffered from a leg cramp? They can be incredibly painful and occur randomly out of nowhere. Charlie horse cramps are a nickname for a type of leg cramp that commonly occurs during the middle of the night. They are said to be caused by dehydration and can be severely painful and cause lingering muscle pain and stiffness afterward. Keep reading to learn more about what leads to charlie horse cramps and how to prevent them. If you’re suffering from lingering muscle pain or are experiencing repetitive muscle cramps, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater is here to help. Our walk-in clinic provides same-day injury care for patients in Edgewater, MD - 7 days a week. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!
What is a Charlie Horse Cramp?
A charlie horse cramp is a nickname for a muscle cramp in the lower leg. Charlie horse cramps can happen at any time to anyone, but they are well known for happening in the middle of the night. Charlie horse cramps are deep muscle cramps and can be incredibly painful, often able to wake the victim up in the middle of the night due to the pain. The cramps only last for a few seconds up to about a minute, but due to the intensity of the cramp, it can cause the muscles around the leg to become strained and often result in lingering pain in the area for hours or even days later.
How to Prevent Charlie Horse Cramps
Charlie horse cramps are thought to be caused by dehydration and happen most often to active individuals. Following a day of activity such as working out, participating in sports or going for a hike, our bodies become fatigued. Adequate water intake helps support the recovery of our muscles, but in the case of extreme fatigue or overuse, your muscles may get fatigued and cramp up. Charlie horse cramps typically occur in the lower leg or sometimes the arch of the foot. They can occur randomly, or they can happen during a workout. They often are so severe that you can see the muscle contracting in the leg.
Like any muscle condition, there are ways to try to prevent charlie horse cramps. These tips include:
- Stretching well before and after a workout
- Having adequate rest for your muscles to recover between workouts
- Staying well hydrated with water
- Supplementing water intake with electrolytes
- Easing into activities to avoid pushing your body too hard too fast
When to Seek Medical Care for Muscle Pain
Charlie horse cramps are incredibly common injuries. In many cases, they cause temporary pain. But, charlie horse cramps can sometimes cause damage to the leg muscles. Repetitive severe muscle cramping can also indicate the presence of an injury. If you are suffering from regular leg cramps or lingering muscle pain that inhibits your ability to walk or move around, you should seek medical care. A medical professional will be able to determine whether there is an injury that requires treatment and can offer tips for healing your pain quickly.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Edgewater for Same-Day Injury Care in Edgewater, MD
If you are suffering from muscle pain or repetitive muscle cramping that you can’t seem to resolve, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater is here to help. Our walk-in clinic offers same-day injury care for patients of all ages in Edgewater, MD, and the surrounding communities. Our clinic has a digital X-ray suite, allowing our board-certified medical staff to view your bones and muscles in detail and determine the cause of your pain. We offer same-day care 7 days a week with short wait times. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
