From the Research
Muscles twitch due to involuntary contractions of muscle fibers, often caused by fatigue, electrolyte imbalances, stress, or neurological issues, and can be addressed by staying hydrated, maintaining proper electrolyte balance, and managing stress. These brief, spontaneous contractions happen when motor neurons send unplanned signals to muscle fibers. Common causes include low levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium in the blood, dehydration, excessive exercise, or too much caffeine or alcohol, as seen in a case of a Moroccan woman with severe electrolyte disorder 1. Most muscle twitches are benign and temporary, resolving on their own without treatment. For persistent twitches, addressing the underlying cause often helps, and in some cases, muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine or benzodiazepines may be prescribed for short-term relief of severe twitching. However, if twitches are frequent, widespread, or accompanied by weakness or other neurological symptoms, medical evaluation is important, as it could indicate conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, or other neuromuscular disorders that require specific treatment, such as a case of a 50-year-old male diagnosed with Leucin-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibody, who showed significant improvement with intravenous immunoglobulin and carbamazepine 2.
Possible Causes of Muscle Twitching
- Fatigue
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Stress
- Neurological issues
- Low levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium in the blood
- Dehydration
- Excessive exercise
- Too much caffeine or alcohol
Treatment and Management
- Staying hydrated
- Maintaining proper electrolyte balance
- Reducing caffeine intake
- Getting adequate rest
- Managing stress
- Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine or benzodiazepines for short-term relief of severe twitching
- Medical evaluation for frequent, widespread, or persistent twitches, or those accompanied by weakness or other neurological symptoms.