Health Encyclopedia

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 the result of minor local muscle contractions or the uncontrollable twitching of a single muscle group served by a single motor nerve fiber or filament.

Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal, while others indicate a neurologic disorder.

Common Causes

Benign twitches (not caused by disease or disorders)
- Often affecting the eyelids, calf, or thumb
- Normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or anxiety
A diet deficiency
Drug overdose (caffeine)
Drug side effect (such as diuretics, corticosteroids and estrogens)
Exercise

Symptoms suggestive of a neurological cause of fasciculations include:

Wasting of muscle
Weakness
Other findings of nerve dysfunction

Neurological illnesses where fasciculations are seen include:

Chronic denervation of muscle due to disk compression of nerve exiting the spinal cord
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Spinal muscular atrophy
Muscular dystrophy
Myopathy

Home Care

There is usually no treatment necessary.

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you have prolonged or persistent muscle twitches.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your fasciculations in detail 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 the same location?
Are you pregnant?
What other symptoms are also present?

Diagnostic tests vary depending on the suspected cause. There is often no need to treat this symptom.

Review Date:3/5/2007
Reviewed By:Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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