MUSCLE TWITCHING is also known as muscle fasciculation. This involves small muscle contractions in the body,
Our bodies are comprised of fibres, tissues and nerves and normally when they are stimulated or damaged the muscle fibres twitch. Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed.
They are often felt in the eyelids, calf and thumb.
Conditions that muscle twitching is common include:
Many people think that when a twitch occurs it is blood flowing with too much pressure because twitching can be felt under the skin.
Our bodies are comprised of fibres, tissues and nerves and normally when they are stimulated or damaged the muscle fibres twitch. Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed.
They are often felt in the eyelids, calf and thumb.
Conditions that muscle twitching is common include:
- muscular dystrophy
- Lou Gehrig's disease (a rare disease that causes your nerve cells to die)
- spinal muscular atrophy
- Isaac's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder affecting the nerves)
- any trauma to a nerve leading to a muscle
- muscle wasting or weakness
Muscle twitching is not a serious medical emergency but it is advisable to seek medical advice when twitching becomes persistent or chronic.
How to manage twitching at home:
- Take a balanced diet.
- Limit your caffeine intake
- Adequate sleep is recommended
- Manage your stress levels
When the symptoms are persistent the doctor may order either of the following tests:
- 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
