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Muscle twitching

Definition

Muscle twitches are fine movements of a small area of muscle.

Considerations

Muscle twitching is caused by minor muscle contractions in the area, or uncontrollable twitching of a muscle group that is served by a single motor nerve fiber.

Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal. Others are signs of a nervous system disorder.

Causes

Causes may include:

• Autoimmune disorders, such as Isaac syndrome.

• Drug overdose (caffeine, amphetamines, or other stimulants).

• Lack of sleep.

• Medicine side effect (such as from diuretics, corticosteroids, or estrogens).

• Exercise (twitching is seen after exercise).

• Lack of nutrients in the diet (deficiency).

• Stress.

• Medical conditions that cause metabolic disorders, including low potassium, kidney disease, and uremia.

• Twitches not caused by disease or disorders (benign twitches), often affecting the eyelids, calf, or thumb. These twitches are normal and quite common, and are often triggered by stress or anxiety. These twitches can come and go, and usually do not last for more than a few days.

Nervous system conditions that can cause muscle twitching include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also sometimes called Lou Gehrig disease or motor neuron disease

• Neuropathy or damage to the nerve that leads to a muscle

• 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 needed for benign muscle twitching in most cases. In other cases, treating an underlying medical cause may improve symptoms.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you have long-term or persistent muscle twitches or if twitching occurs with weakness or loss of muscle.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam.

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?

• Are there cramps with the twitching?

• 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 chemistry

• CT scan of the spine or brain

• Electromyogram (EMG)

• Nerve conduction studies

• MRI scan of the spine or brain

References

De Luca GC, Griggs RC, Johnston SC. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 366.

Hall JE, Hall ME. Contraction of skeletal muscle. In: Hall JE, Hall ME, eds. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.

Weissenborn K, Lockwood AH. Toxic and metabolic encephalopathies. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 84.

Review Date: 3/31/2024

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.