What Is Muscle Twitching?
Muscle twitching, also known as muscle fasciculation, is a condition characterized by twitching or small contractions of muscles in the body. The muscles are of different types and are made up of various fibers controlled by nerves. Any stimulation or injury to the nerve may lead to twitching of the muscle fibers. People experience many types of twitches, which are of less concern, but sometimes, they may require immediate medical attention from the doctor.
What Are the Causes of Muscle Twitching?
Many conditions can cause muscle twitching. While some are minor, others are due to some serious underlying condition. Some of the common causes of muscle twitching are as follows:
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Immediately after any physical activity, lactic acid accumulates in the muscles, affecting the legs, arms, and back.
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Excessive coffee, caffeine, or any other stimulant consumption may lead to twitching of any part of the body.
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Sometimes, stress and anxiety can lead to twitching, called nervous ticks. This type of twitching can involve any part of the body.
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Dehydration can cause twitching in the larger muscles.
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In smokers, nicotine can lead to twitching more commonly in the legs.
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Certain nutritional deficiencies like vitamin D, B, and calcium can cause muscle twitching.
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Specific drug reactions like those consuming corticosteroids or estrogen pills may experience muscle twitching.
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Eye twitching can be due to irritation of the eye muscles or surrounding areas.
The causes mentioned above are not severe, and affected individuals can recover independently in a few days. However, if an individual is experiencing it after starting any medicine or suffering from any nutritional deficiency, they should consult their healthcare provider. Sometimes, specific causes can be serious, like nerve damage that will require medical attention.
The following are the causes that are of much concern:
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Muscular Disorders: Medically, the condition is called muscular dystrophy. It is a combination of various genetic disorders and leads to muscle weakness. Such conditions can cause twitching of the muscles on the face, neck, shoulders, or hips.
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: It is also called Lou Gehrig’s disease and is a clinical condition characterized by the death of nerve cells.
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Another clinical condition that injures the motor nerve cells of the spinal cord, known as spinal muscular atrophy, leads to difficulty in controlling the movement of the muscles.
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Isaac’s Syndrome: It is a clinical condition that affects the nerves and helps stimulate the muscle fibers, causing frequent muscle twitching.
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Lupus: It is not so common, but muscle twitching can be due to lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation involving muscles is called myositis.
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Multiple Sclerosis: It is another rare neurological disorder that affects the brain, leading to muscle twitching.
Muscle twitching is not an emergency, but the cause can be due to a severe underlying condition and, thus, requires medical attention.
Are Twitching and Spasms the Same?
The involuntary contraction of various muscles causes both the above-mentioned terms or conditions, but there is a minor difference between the two.
A muscle twitching is clinically felt like a short contraction and may occur frequently. It can lead to discomfort in the patient but usually does not cause any pain. On the other hand, a muscle spasm is a condition characterized by prolonged contraction, which may lead to pain. Muscle spasms are usually called muscle cramps and are typically experienced after vigorous exercise.
How Can Muscle Twitching Be Diagnosed?
The diagnostic tests for muscle twitching are described below:
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Medical History: When an individual visits the healthcare provider, they will be asked about their symptoms and other medical problems. Also, details about muscle twitching will be asked. For example, the following may be asked:
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When did the muscle twitching start?
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How often does it occur?
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For how much time does it happen?
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Location or site of twitching?
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Any other associated signs or symptoms?
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Physical Examination: The doctor may perform a physical examination if required after the questioning session.
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Diagnostic Tests: Specific diagnostic tests may be necessary to check for any underlying condition. For example, the following tests may be done:
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Complete blood tests to check for the levels of electrolytes or metabolic disorders.
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan to find structural abnormalities and neurological problems.
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Assessment of muscles and nerves through electromyography.
Once the diagnosis is made, proper treatment planning may be done, and early diagnosis will help in a better prognosis.
How Can Muscle Twitching Be Treated?
Most of the time, treatment is not required for this condition. It recovers on its own within a few days. But, if an underlying serious medical condition is causing it, an individual may need treatment.
Sometimes, medication can be used to manage the condition, which is as follows:
1. Corticosteroids, for example, Betamethasone.
2. Neuromuscular blockers like Incobotulinumtoxin A.
3. Certain muscle relaxants like Carisoprodol, etc.
Can Muscle Twitching Be Prevented?
Muscle twitching is not preventable, but specific measures can help in reducing the risk of getting it, which are as follows:
1. A balanced diet consisting of all types of nutrients.
2. Adequate sleep for a minimum of 6 to 8 hours.
3. Stress management can be done by meditation, yoga, etc.
4. As caffeine intake causes twitching, its intake should be limited.
5. An individual must stop smoking because it causes twitching and can lead to serious medical conditions.
6. Change the medications. If certain medications are causing the twitching, an individual can talk to their physician about it, so their medication will be changed.
Conclusion:
Twitching is common and resolves on its own, but sometimes it may be due to some underlying condition and requires medical attention. Online medical platforms help in bringing physicians’ consultations to their homes. In addition, they can now know more about this condition by asking a specialist or physician online.
