Overview
A muscle cramp, also known as charley horse, can get triggered due to poor blood circulation. Here in this blog, we will share some interesting insights on symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options to cure a muscular leg spasm.
Summary
- A muscle cramp involves the sudden tightening of the muscles.
- The most common symptoms associated with leg muscle spasm are immediate discomfort or inflammation around the leg region.
- The significant causes that trigger muscle spasm include low blood flow, dehydration, and weakening due to excessive use of muscles.
- The risk factors of charley horse are more prevalent in old-aged people, sportsmen, obese people, and pregnant women.
For an accurate diagnosis of muscle cramps, your specialist may recommend a physical exam or MRI scan.
What is Charley Horse or Muscle Cramp?
A charley horse is a muscle cramp that involves the sudden tightening of the muscles. These muscle cramps can happen anywhere in the body, but most commonly, they occur in the leg region.
Symptoms Associated with Muscle Cramps
The outset of muscle cramps usually occurs around the leg region. The most common symptoms associated with leg muscle spasm may include:
- Immediate and acute discomfort or uneasiness.
- Inflammation or weakening of the muscles around the leg region.
- Redness around the skin area
Causes of Leg Muscle Cramps
Some of the significant reasons that trigger muscle spasm are as follows:
- Poor circulation of the blood.
- Overtraining or excess use of muscles.
- Deficiency of magnesium or other essential elements in the body.
- Pinched or degenerative nerve disease.
- They may also get triggered in response to or as a side-effect of any drug.
Risk Factors Associated with Charley Horse
The risk factors of charley horse are more prevalent in athletes, pregnant women obese, and old aged people. Patients suffering from diabetes and nerve disorders are also more prone to getting attacked by a muscular leg spasm.
Muscle Cramps Diagnosis
The diagnosis of muscle spasm must be made if you are also suffering from certain other conditions, including over sweating, numbness, nausea, or weakness. Your specialist may ask you about your medical condition and history.
For an accurate diagnosis of the muscle cramps, your specialist may recommend the following tests:
- Physical exam.
- MRI Test.
- Blood Test.
How to Prevent Muscle Spasm?
You can adopt the following measures to prevent the occurrence of muscle spasms. Some of them are mentioned below:
- By eating foods high in vitamins and other essential elements.
- Keep yourself hydrated.
- Exercising and stretching can help in tightening the muscles.
Available Treatment Options
Muscle spasm can often become a reason behind severe pain or inflammation around the leg region. Following treatment options can be recommended to cure muscular leg spasm:
- Massaging with Epsom salt.
- Utilization of heating pad.
- Application of ice-packs around the affected region.
- Use of pain medications.
Consult a professional Orthopedic Surgeon at Complete Medical Wellness today and liberate yourself from pain.