Muscle twitching
Definition
Muscle twitches are fine movements of a small area of muscle.
Alternative Names
Muscle fasciculation; Fasciculations of muscle
Considerations
Muscle twitching is caused by minor
Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal. Others are signs of a nervous system disorder.
Common Causes
Autoimmune disorders such as Isaac syndrome- Drug overdose (caffeine, amphetamines, or other stimulants)
- Drug side effect (such as from diuretics, corticosteroids, or estrogens)
- Exercise
- Lack of nutrients in the diet (deficiency)
- Stress
- Twitches not caused by disease or disorders (benign twitches)
- Often affecting the eyelids, calf, or thumb
- Normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or
anxiety - Come and go, and do not last for more than a few days
Nervous system conditions that can cause muscle twitching:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (
ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease) - Damage to the nerve that leads to a muscle
Muscular dystrophy Spinal muscular atrophy - Weak muscles (myopathy)
Symptoms of a nervous system disorder include:
- Loss of, or change in, sensation
- Loss of muscle size (wasting)
- Weakness
Home Care
No treatment is usually needed for benign muscle twitching.
Call your health care provider if
Call your health care provider if you have long-term or persistent muscle twitches.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
- When did you first notice the twitching?
- How long does it last?
- How often do you experience twitching?
- What muscles are affected?
- Is it always in the same location?
- Are you pregnant?
- What other symptoms do you have?
Tests depend on the suspected cause, and may include:
- Blood tests to look for problems with
electrolytes ,thyroid gland function , and blood chemistryCT scan of the spine or brain Electromyogram (EMG)- Nerve conduction studies
MRI scan of the spine or brain
Prevention
References
Chinnery PF. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011: chap 429.
Griggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011: chap 403.