How do I stop waking up with a Charlie horse?

What do you do when you wake up with a cramp?

Sometimes during the night I wake up with a really painful charley horse. It hurts so much I have to grit my teeth to keep from yelling. It takes a few minutes to get the cramp to go away, which I do by rubbing on the place that’s knotted up and walking around. I’m a 42-year-old woman, and I walk about 30 minutes a day for exercise.

How do you get rid of muscle cramps in your legs?

You can try the following at home to try to relieve a cramp: Massage your leg. Rubbing the affected muscle may help it relax. Use one or both hands to gently knead and loosen the muscle. Stretch. If the cramp is in your calf, straighten your leg.

How to get rid of calf cramps during the night?

You can also try exercises that target the calf which may help that muscle calm down during the night. If that does not work, then perhaps a prescription muscle relaxer such as cyclobenzeprine would be helpful. Good luck.

Is there a charley horse treatment for leg cramps?

There are myriad ideas for handling nighttime leg cramps. If you search online for “charley horse treatment,” you’ll see a range of tips, from self-massage to listening to classical music to eating mustard. Many of these treatments have been studied, but the results are far from conclusive.

How do you get rid of muscle cramps after running?

Eat more foods high in vitamins and magnesium. Stay hydrated. Stretch daily and before exercise. Stretching before exercise can help prevent tight muscles. Daily stretching can help with cramps caused by other things. Wear comfortable shoes. Limit how much alcohol you drink. Ramp up your exercise slowly rather than all at once.

What are Charlie Horse cramps?

Muscle cramps, leg cramps (Charlie horse), and arm cramps are very painful. Most of us many times make these cramps worse by moving the leg or arm into the wrong position.

How do you get rid of leg cramps at night?

Though leg cramps at night can be intensely painful, they aren’t typically serious. Most people who experience them don’t need medical treatment. You can try the following at home to try to relieve a cramp: Massage your leg. Rubbing the affected muscle may help it relax. Use one or both hands to gently knead and loosen the muscle. Stretch.

What are nocturnal leg cramps (Charlie horses)?

Nocturnal leg cramps — also commonly called charley horses — are painful, involuntary contractions of leg muscles 2 during the night. Although nocturnal leg cramps generally pass after minutes, they are unpleasant and can disrupt sleep enough to create problems.

Why do I get cramps in my calf at night?

Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. Leg cramps, also called charley horses, are uncontrolled spasms in the muscles of the leg that may be painful. What deficiency causes calf cramps?

How can I prevent leg cramps in my calves?

One stretch, in particular, can help prevent leg cramps in your calves. Standing about three feet away from a wall, lean forward and touch the wall with your outstretched arms but keep your feet flat.

How do you treat pain in the calf after a cramp?

Pain in Calf After Cramp. When you experience a cramp, you should immediately cease the activity that caused it. Then gently stretch the muscle by flexing and pointing your feet or doing a calf stretch against the wall.

Why do I get cramps in my calves after running?

Fluids lost during sweating can cause dehydration, a common cause of cramps. Overuse of your calf muscle during exercise can cause calf muscle cramps. Unless you are well-conditioned, avoid prolonged repetitive activities that involve your calf muscle — such as endurance running or jumping rope.

What are the treatments for Charley horse cramps?

Although the cramp eventually subsides, soreness may remain as an unpleasant reminder. Some gentle stretching and cold or heat application typically helps resolve lingering pain after a charley horse.

How can I relieve leg cramps at night?

An epsom salt bath in particular could help reduce muscle pain 13. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate. An epsom salt bath could increase your magnesium levels, which may help relieve leg cramping. Massage: Massaging your calves or feet before bed may help you reduce cramping during the night by relaxing the muscles in your legs.

How can I stop leg cramps during pregnancy?

Massage: Massaging your calves or feet before bed may help you reduce cramping during the night by relaxing the muscles in your legs. If you have limited mobility, consider asking a partner to help.

Does quinine help leg cramps (Charley horses)?

Quinine is no longer recommended to treat leg cramps. Leg cramps (charley horses) are a common nocturnal symptom that can be difficult to manage because of uncertainties about etiology, appropriate diagnostic evaluation, and optimal treatment.

Are night leg cramps caused by Charley horses?

Although night leg cramps are often referred to as “charley horses,” there is no Charley and certainly no horse causing them. You may wonder then what could be causing these unwelcome wake-up calls.

What causes leg cramps in the morning?

Certain Medical Conditions: Those with kidney and thyroid problems or peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the legs) may experience leg cramping. Some Medications: Medications such as diuretics, blood pressure medications or statins may contribute to leg cramps.

Do you get leg cramps at night when awake?

They can occur when you are awake, but most often they occur at night. Causes for Nocturnal Leg Cramps Although night leg cramps are often referred to as “charley horses,” there is no Charley and certainly no horse causing them. You may wonder then what could be causing these unwelcome wake-up calls.

How to relieve leg cramps at night?

7 Ways to Relieve and Prevent Leg Cramps at Night 1 Stretch your hamstring and calf muscles during the day and before you go to bed. 2 Drink plenty of water throughout the day and watch your alcohol and caffeine consumption. 3 Try mild exercises before bed, such as walking or riding the stationary bike for a few minutes. More items…

How long do leg cramps last and how can you treat them?

How Long Do Leg Cramps Last? Nocturnal leg cramps can occur for as short as a few seconds, and they usually do not last longer than 10 minutes. You may feel soreness or reduced strength in your legs the day after your cramps. Stretching your calf or foot during the cramp may help relieve some of the intense pain.

How can I get rid of a tight calf muscle?

Here are some things you can try: Walk around, or jiggle your leg. Stretch your calf muscles. You can do this stretch while you sit or stand: While sitting, straighten your leg and flex your foot up toward your knee.

How do you get rid of a cramp in your leg?

Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly.

What does it mean when your leg cramps?

Leg cramps occur when the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf spasms involuntarily. In addition to pain, this typically feels like your calf muscles are tight or knotted and can be so severe as to make it hard to flex your feet.

What are nocturnal leg cramps and what causes them?

Leg cramps occur when the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf spasms involuntarily. In addition to pain, this typically feels like your calf muscles are tight or knotted and can be so severe as to make it hard to flex your feet. About 60% of people experience nocturnal leg cramps at some point in their lives.

Why do my calves cramp when I run?

These cramps generally happen at the beginning or the end of a run. Why? “At the start of a run, your muscle isn’t warmed up, and at the end, chances are it’s fatigued,” Metzl says. These are two situations that leave the calf muscle extremely vulnerable.

Should you warm up your calves before running?

Skipping out on a warm up before your run means that you are getting started when your muscles are cold and tight. This can often lead to calf cramps during a run or a generalized achy feeling in the calves after running.