Muscle twitching
Definition
Muscle twitches are fine movements of a small area of muscle.
Alternative Names
Muscle fasciculation; Fasciculations of muscleConsiderations
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.
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
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