A charley horse is always a discomfort and an inconvenience. Nobody enjoys unexpected leg cramps, even ones that pass quickly. But when does a charley horse go from being an inconvenience to a serious concern? In some cases, frequent leg cramps can signify something more serious. Vascular issues can be the cause of regular charley horses and other discomfort in your leg. So how can you know when to spot a leg cramp that is caused by vascular troubles?
Here’s a quick guide on what to look for and what to do if you have vascular issues.
A charley horse is just another name for a muscle spasm. Typically the pain experienced during a charley horse is described as being tight or like a knot. Most commonly, a charley horse appears in the calf, although they can occur anywhere in the leg. Additionally, the pain can range from mild to severe.
In most cases, they are harmless, and the pain lasts only a few moments. However, that does not make them any less painful. But what causes charley horses in the first place? There could be a number of different causes of muscle spasms. Some of the most common include:
With so many mundane causes of charley horses, how can you tell when they’re a sign of vascular issues? The first sign of potential vascular problems could be the frequency of your charley horses. If you experience muscle spasms more than normal, particularly in the absence of other normal risk factors, this may be a sign of vascular issues.
Other symptoms may also be present along with your charley horses which indicate vascular troubles. The most common accompanying symptom is swelling in the legs. This can be caused by fluid buildup in the legs, another symptom of vascular issues.
General discomfort in the legs or restless leg syndrome are also common symptoms of vascular issues in the legs. If you experience any of these symptoms in combination with charley horses, you should seek a diagnosis from a medical professional.
There are several ways to treat a charley horse. The simplest method to relieve a charley horse at the moment is to stretch it out. Simply stretching the tight area, or flexing your leg or foot, can quickly relieve the muscle tightness you are experiencing.
Regular stretching can also reduce the frequency of charley horses, especially following periods of high intensity. Likewise, staying hydrated can be important when it comes to preventing charley horses.
In addition to these routine treatment options, people experiencing vascular issues can also be treated with charley horse medication. Muscle relaxers can be prescribed by a doctor to help treat leg cramps and spasms.
Other ways to treat frequent charley horses include applying heat or ice, changing your diet, or light to moderate exercise to improve leg circulation.
One of the most common vascular issues associated with recurring charley horses is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries, thereby restricting blood flow. If left untreated, this condition can lead to more serious health complications, including stroke or heart attack.
To learn more about vascular health or potential treatment options, contact South Valley Vascular today. South Valley Vascular’s doctors are the region’s leaders in all forms of vascular health and treatment.
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