Charley Horse Definition, Causes and More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Muscle Cramps - OrthoInfo - AAOS.' OrthoInfo, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-cramps.
- 2. 'Muscle Cramps.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21190-muscle-cramps.
- 3. Publishing, Harvard Health. 'Take That, Muscle Cramps!' Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/take-that-muscle-cramps.
- 4. 'Muscle Cramp.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Mar. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820.
- 5. 'Muscle Spasms (Muscle Cramps): Causes, Pain Relief & Treatment.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15466-muscle-spasms.
- 6. Bone, Muscle and Joint Team. 'Don't Let Foot Cramps and Charley Horses Slow You Down.' Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 15 Sept. 2020, health.clevelandclinic.org/dont-let-foot-cramps-charley-horses-slow/.
- 7. Allen, Richard E., and Karl A. Kirby. 'Nocturnal Leg Cramps.' American Family Physician, 15 Aug. 2012, www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0815/p350.html.
- 8. 'Charley Horse : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002066.htm.
- 9. Muscle Cramps By Michael C. Levin, et al. 'Muscle Cramps - Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders.' Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/symptoms-of-brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/muscle-cramps.
Similar Disorders
Some disorders may cause symptoms similar to charley horses. One of these disorders is tetany, in which muscle spasms occur continually throughout the body. Some people experience illusory muscle cramps, so they feel like they are having muscle spasms even though muscle contractions aren't occurring.
Dystonias are involuntary muscle contractions that last for a longer time and occur more frequently than charley horses. These contractions may affect muscles in the back and neck as well as the limbs.9Muscle Cramps By Michael C. Levin, et al. ‘Muscle Cramps - Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders.’ Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/symptoms-of-brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/muscle-cramps.
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