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Deep anterior muscles
Deep anterior muscles
OverviewTreatment

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 affect the eyelids, calf, or thumb
    • Normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or anxiety
  • A diet deficiency
  • Drug overdose
  • 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 disc compression of nerve exiting the spinal cord
  • ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
  • Spinal muscular atrophy
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myopathy


Review Date: 5/12/2003
Reviewed By: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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