Current:Home > StocksWhat causes muscle twitching? And here's when you should worry.-LoTradeCoin
What causes muscle twitching? And here's when you should worry.
View Date:2024-12-23 23:58:23
Though many people experience muscle twitching, it's often incorrectly identified as a muscle spasm. While both are involuntary contractions of a muscle, muscle spasms and muscle twitching aren't actually the same thing. A muscle twitch is a short contraction that sometimes occurs repeatedly − think eye twitching. Such movement can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but it isn't usually painful. Muscle spasms, on the other hand, are prolonged muscle contractions that are often painful.
In many cases, the same practices that prevent or end muscle spasms can also prevent or end muscle twitches − though experts say it isn't possible for most people to avoid either completely.
What causes muscle twitching?
Our body's nervous system is constantly telling our muscles what to do without our having to consciously thinking about each action. Such messages are controlled by our central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and by the peripheral nervous system or PNS. The PNS is the part of our nervous system that feeds information into our brain and carries the signals that move our muscles, per Cleveland Clinic.
Because these nerves are constantly triggering muscle movements day after day, they can be very sensitive and sometimes misfire. "Almost always this is due to motor nerves that send signals from the spine or brain to the receptors," explains Loren Fishman, MD, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Columbia University.
He says that various factors can interfere with how these brain signals are sent to different muscle groups which can sometimes lead to "involuntary" twitching. Some such factors and others include dehydration, stress, medication, caffeine, a pinched nerve, damaged nerve cells or lack of sleep. More rarely, muscle twitching can be affected by medical conditions such as Serotonin syndrome, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Isaacs' syndrome or kidney disease.
Fishman says twitching can also be connected to an anxiety disorder or as a result of a nutritional deficiency. "Twitching can occur when your basic electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium are abnormally high or low," adds Fishman.
Anthony Beutler, MD, an associate medical director of sports medicine at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, says it can be helpful to think of some such factors or conditions as causing "short circuits in the muscle’s nervous system."
How do I stop my muscles from twitching?
Because such muscle responses aren't voluntary, it can be difficult to predict when twitching will occur or to prevent it from happening altogether. Beutler says that "there is no single or foolproof way to stop twitches," but offers a few recommendations that have proven to can be helpful. These include stretching one's muscles, engaging in exercises that contract affected muscle groups or medications recommended by a healthcare professional.
Fishman says that maintaining a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water can also help one naturally get enough electrolytes to prevent or ease symptoms of muscle twitching. "Activities that lightly use and soothe the muscles and cause your emotions to relax can also be helpful," he adds. Such activities may include yoga, walking or meditation.
When should I worry about muscle twitching?
Knowing when muscle twitching is a problem can be difficult to ascertain since many things can contribute to it happening. Fortunately, it's rarely serious, often passes on its own, and usually not connected to chronic health conditions. Therefore, under most circumstances, the experts say muscle twitching isn't something to be overly concerned about.
But if twitching persists, spreads or gets progressively worse over time, Beutler advises to make an appointment with your primary care physician to assess your symptoms and rule out anything worrisome.
Muscle spasms are inconvenient, painful:Here's how to avoid them.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions TE injures shoulder, 'might miss' Week 11
- If O.J. Simpson’s assets go to court, Goldman, Brown families could be first in line
- Wilma Wealth Management: Embarking on the Journey of Wealth Appreciation in the Australian Market
- Meta tests new auto-blur tool and other features on Instagram designed to fight sextortion
- Larry Hobbs, who guided AP’s coverage of Florida news for decades, has died at 83
- 2 Memphis police officers and 2 other people shot in exchange of gunfire, police say
- Wilma (Wilma Wealth Management): Receiving systematic training and education is a prerequisite for every qualified investor.
- The O.J. Simpson case forced domestic violence into the spotlight, boosting a movement
- Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- A human head was found in an apartment refrigerator. The resident is charged with murder
Ranking
- Quincy Jones laid to rest at private family funeral in Los Angeles
- Louisiana lawmakers reject minimum wage raise and protections for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace
- $25 McDonald's bundle in viral video draws blame for California minimum wage hike
- The Most Loved Container Store Items According to E! Readers
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- Vermont town removes unpermitted structures from defunct firearms training center while owner jailed
- On Fox News show 'The Five,' Jessica Tarlov is a rare liberal voice with 'thick skin'
- Horoscopes Today, April 12, 2024
Recommendation
-
Arkansas governor unveils $102 million plan to update state employee pay plan
-
Coachella is here: What to bring and how to prepare to make the most of music festivals
-
CBS News 24/7 streaming channel gets new name, expanded programming
-
Do polar bears hibernate? The arctic mammal's sleep behavior, explained.
-
NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
-
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist Announce Divorce: Check the Status of More Bachelor Couples
-
Nearly 1 in 4 adults dumped from Medicaid are now uninsured, survey finds
-
Wisconsin woman in Slender Man stabbing will remain in psychiatric hospital after release petition denied