Charley horses can be painful and disruptive, especially when they strike in the middle of the night. In many cases, they are related to muscle fatigue, prolonged positioning, exercise, dehydration, or other relatively simple factors.
Staying adequately hydrated, maintaining flexibility, exercising gradually, and paying attention to recovery may help reduce episodes.
But frequent or severe cramps shouldn’t simply be ignored. Sometimes they can be associated with medications, nerve problems, circulation issues, or other underlying conditions.
If your cramps keep coming back, especially if they’re accompanied by weakness, numbness, swelling, or other unusual symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional to find out what’s really causing them.
A painful cramp may last only a few minutes—but understanding why it happens can help you prevent the next one.
