Is it a blood clot or a Charley horse?

We all have felt that spasm in the arch of the foot, the back of a calf, or the thigh.When do you know if Charlie Horse is more than just a sore throat?What if you get them a lot?How can you tell the difference between a horse and a clot?

A Charlie Horse is a nickname for a muscle spasm.The contraction of a group of muscles can be very painful.Depending on the duration of a Charlie Horse, pain can be quite severe and can last for hours or even a day.

A thrombus is a blood clot.Blood clot forms when a blood vessel is injured.When a blood vessel is injured, the body sends a signal to the brain.There is a rush of blood platelets and clotting factors in the brain.Platelets are sticky blood cells that clump together to stop bleeding or leaking from a tear or injury to the wall of a blood vessel.

Remaining sedentary for long periods of time, dehydration, and inadequate blood flow are some of the situations that may lead to a Charlie Horse.Dehydration causes blood to grow sluggish as it moves through the blood vessels.The risk of blood particles sticking together to form clot increases when blood flow slows.

Experiencing a Charlie Horse is not usually a cause for concern.They respond immediately to massage, stretching, or walking it off.If you experience a Charlie Horse more than once a week, you should schedule a visit with your physician to determine the underlying cause.