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.
Cause: Medications
Charley horses may develop in people who take certain medications. The decongestant pseudoephedrine may cause muscle spasms. Cramping may also occur in people who take statins, medications routinely prescribed to treat high cholesterol. Diuretics may also cause charley horses. People sometimes experience charley horses after taking naproxen, conjugated estrogens, raloxifene and intravenous iron sucrose.2‘Muscle Cramps.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21190-muscle-cramps.,7Allen, Richard E., and Karl A. Kirby. ‘Nocturnal Leg Cramps.’ American Family Physician, 15 Aug. 2012, www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0815/p350.html.
A person who experiences frequent charley horses after starting a new medication regimen should notify their health care provider about this side effect.6Bone, 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/.
Advertisement
