Muscle twitches are minor involuntary muscle contractions. The twitching may be visible under your skin and is rarely a major health concern. However, a muscle twitch can be a sign of a nervous or muscular system issue.
Twitching that is not caused by a disease or health condition are known as benign twitches. This type of twitch is very common and often comes and goes.
Benign twitches often occur in your eyelids, calf or thumb. And some universal twitching triggers are stress, anxiety, fatigue, caffeine and exercise.
Some of the health conditions that can be a cause for a muscle to twitch or muscle twitches are:
- neuralgia
- myopathy
- poisoning
- myoclonus
- Bell’s palsy
- kidney failure
- nerve damage
- hypocalcemia
- cerebral palsy
- hypercalcemia
- diet deficiency
- blepharospasm
- Kennedy’s disease
- hypoparathyroidism
- muscular dystrophy
- hyperparathyroidism
- Tourette’s Syndrome
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- restless legs syndrome
- spinal muscular atrophy
- hyperventilation syndrome
- drug overdose ~ lithium, methodone, codeine
- drug side effect ~ diuretics, corticosteroids, antidepressants
Additional muscle symptoms that might point in the direction of a nervous system disease include:
- muscle wasting
- muscle weakness
- loss or change in sensation
Muscle twitching may worsen due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. If you suspect that this is your dietary situation, try gulping down an electrolyte drink to promote a healthy balance.
