Causes of Charley Horses or Nocturnal Cramps

Charlie (or charley) horses are also known as nocturnal cramps or simply muscle cramps.  They are mostly located in the arch of the foot, the calf and up the leg.   Medical science doesn't agree as to their causes but they do agree that charlie horses can be prevented.  

The main triggers for charlie horses include too much exercise and certain drugs.  The most serious cause is increasingly poor blood circulation (or intermittent claudication), so muscle cramps in the legs and feet should be checked out by a doctor.

Exercise

Since the cramps are commonly associated with vigorous or prolonged exercise, it's thought that there may be a chemical imbalance that causes muscles to contract and then refuse to relax.  Various theories have been batted about that the muscles loose too much electrolytes or that circulation has been somehow damaged during dehydration or muscle strain which then causes the body to be unable to properly flush away toxins.

Whatever the true reason, fear of intensely painful nocturnal cramps may keep some people from engaging in regular exercise.  They may begin an exercise program and do too much at once, causing not only  charley horses but other pains.  This is why it is important to talk to your doctor before you start on an exercise program and to begin slowly.

Adventure Vacations

Although charley horses may be seen most often in children, the elderly and athletes at the beginning of their sports' seasons, there is another section of the population very prone – the vacationer.  This person has sat at a desk job for 50 weeks of the year and wants to have an active, sports-filled vacation, such as riding at a dude ranch.

However, his muscles are not used to the sudden burst of activity.  A few hours in the saddle leads to charley horses and a miserable rest of the vacation.  If planning an adventure vacation, it is best to begin regular exercise at least three months before the vacation starts.  During exercise, be sure to drink plenty of quality fluids like water.  This at least gets the muscles used to activity.  It may not prevent all charley horses, but it may lead to less painful charley horses.

Medications

But this does not explain all causes of severe leg and feet muscle cramping. Certain medications can also trigger charlie horses.  These include antipsychotic drugs like amytriptaline; blood pressure medications like statins; drugs for diabetics and corticosteroids like prednisone.  Addicts of drugs such as heroin may also suffer from charley horses and not do any exercise, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

One theory is that these medications (as well as illegal drugs) take out fluids that the body needs to properly maintain the endocrine and circulation systems.  But just exactly why these drugs cause cramps and not others is unknown.

References:

Women’s Health & Wellness 2003. The Editors of “Health” Magazine. Oxmoor House; 2002.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. “Your Orthopedic Connection: Muscle Cramp.” 

ABC News. “The Mysterious Pain of ‘Charley Horse’.” Lauren Cahoon. April 1, 2008 (no joke).

Image of New Forest Pony by Saffron Blaze for Wikimedia Commons.