What could it mean if I'm getting 'charlie horses' way too often?!


Question: What could it mean if I'm getting 'charlie horses' way too often!?
I'm usually kind of a hypochondriac, but this is definitely weird!. I get charlie horses in my calves in the early morning (4-6AM) about 4 times a week!. It is excruciating pain for about 30 seconds but I just massage it til it goes away, then I'm fine!. This started a few months ago, and it never usually happened in the same leg, it usually sort of switched off, but in the past few weeks, It's only been in my left calf!. It used to never have any after effects, but now I can barely put weight on my left leg!. It feels like my entire calf muscle is pulled!.

I've talked to a former EMT about this and she said I should see a doctor, and drink more water!. I think I drink enough water, but is there anything else I should have!? (Vitamins, etc!.) And also I've heard frequent charlie horses can be an indicator of a more serious problem, but can anyone tell me what the problem is!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Charlie Horses are often caused by low potassium, calcium deficiency, magnesium deficiency and/or vitamin E!. As others have said, it would be helpful for you to eat more foods with potassium in it!. It would also be to your benefit to take a multi vitamin daily with vitamins and minerals as well!.

Some foods high in Potassium include:"Dried fruits: raisins, prunes, apricots, dates
Fresh fruits: bananas, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges
Fresh vegetables: beets, greens, spinach, peas, tomatoes, mushrooms
Dried vegetables: beans, peas
Fresh meats: turkey, fish, beef
Fresh juices: orange
Canned juices: grapefruit, prune, apricot"

Also drinking more water may hydrate you, however will not replace electrolytes like potassium!. So, if you are still having the cramps after increasing your intake of foods that are high in potassium, you may want to drink something like Gatorade or Powerade as they do have potassium in them!.

I have included a couple of links in the source area on leg cramps including causes, prevention, and when to see a doctor!.

I hope this helps, I know how miserable they can be as I get them in my calves and feet 5-6 times a week and am on prescription potassium for it!.

I hope you find relief soon!

Michelle

PS: You asked what kind of serious problems it could be an indicator for "peripheral arterial disease, inflammation of a vein (phlebitis), or a blood clot (thrombophlebitis), arthritis, Lupus and other conditions!. I have included another link with more information on that too!. It is the bottom one!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I am a LPN, not a doctor, But I learned all this in med school!.!.!.

A lack of potassium, causes charlie horses!.!.!.!.

Yes, drink lots of water, but most of all get potassium in your meals everyday!.!.It sounds like your potassium is very low!.

Eat bananas, they are full of pottasium, and pears!.!.!.
Read up, and see what all has potasium in it!.!.!.

I think once you get it built back up in your system!.!.!.
You wont have charlie horses anymore!.!.!.

Hope this helps some!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

A major cause of charlie horses is a potassium deficiency!.!.!.eat bananas and drink tonic water, it has quinine which will help reduce the charlie horses!. You also need to make sure you don't have any heart problems, having low potassium and a heart condition can bring on a heart attack!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I used to get charlie horsed a lot while in boot camp!. It was first in part because I was not drinking enough water!. But also because I was not getting enough potasium!. Try eating bananas, and stretching really well before you go to bed!. It really worked for me!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

My dad always said it was because you didn't drink enough water, but everybody else is saying potassium!. I know when I would drink water, they would go away!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

1!. You kill charlie, and his horse!.

2!. Drink like propel or something, and eat things with lots of potassium in it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I think it usually means your potassium is low, try some vitamins with minerals!.!.!.that helped my friend!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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