Muscle twitches – why they happen and how to prevent them
Most of us have had an involuntary muscle twitch, often in the eye or leg, and wondered why it was happening. Here we look at some of the most common reasons for muscle twitches and ways to prevent them.
It is fairly common to suffer from muscle twitching (fasciculation) whilst the body is resting. These minor involuntary muscle contractions are not usually serious and can be attributed to a range of reasons. In rare cases, twitching can indicate a nervous system problem or an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium but in the main can be attributed to 7 common conditions.
Common reasons for muscle twitches
Feeling stressed or anxious
Stress can affect us in a number of different ways. Our bodies go into a state of fight or flight which can cause nerve impulses to become erratic. Nerves affect control over our muscles and so can cause our muscles to contract (twitch).
Learning how to effectively manage stress and anxiety levels will prevent these types of twitches.
Too much caffeine
A high caffeine intake can make the heart beat faster, lead to restlessness and even agitation. Alongside these reactions muscle twitches can occur as the stimulants in caffeine can cause the small involuntary tensions in muscle fibres around the body.
Find some great tips here on how to cut down on caffeine.
Not enough sleep
One of the most common reasons for muscle twitches is tiredness. When we are tired or the body is sleep deprived the messaging system that the brain uses to control our body movements can be affected. Our brains can send haphazard extra messages to our muscles fibres resulting in a muscle twitch.
Find out how to get a better night’s sleep and improve your overall health.
Fatigue through exercise
Similar to tiredness from lack of sleep, fatigue through exercise can also cause muscle twitches. It is important to make sure we eat sensibly and are properly hydrated before and during exercise so as to minimise the likelihood of fatigue. Overdoing it can be just as bad for us as not exercising at all!
Take a look at our article for tips on how to exercise sensibly and safely.
Poor nutrition
A diet lacking in nutrients can lead to muscle twitching. Having enough electrolytes in the body is extremely important as they support muscle contractions and nerve signalling and help to reduce cramps and twitches. Electrolytes include calcium, magnesium and potassium and can be found in sweet potatoes, salmon, broccoli, spinach and bananas.
Find out more about the vitamins and minerals we need to give us a healthy boost. And iff you feel you may benefit from dietary supplements then take a look at our range in the Silversurfers shop.
Not enough water
If our bodies are dehydrated our working muscle fibres won’t perform as they should such as effectively contracting and relaxing, this occurs due to a reduction in blood flow.
Our bodies become dehydrated when we lose more fluids than we take in, this could be through sweating, urination, vomiting or diarrhoea. Loss of fluid will also have an effect on our levels of essential elements such as electrolytes too.
Eating a well balanced nutritious diet and drinking plenty of water is essential to keeping hydrated and sports drinks, dioralyte medication and electrolyte-enriched bottled water can all help to replace electrolytes too.
Find out more in our article on keeping hydrated.
Medication and twitches
Some anti-depressants used alongside medications such as St John’s Wort can result in an excess of serotonin in the brain which may cause twitching.
Other prescription medication including diuretics, corticosteroids or oestrogens may also cause involuntary muscle twitching.
If you are suffering from excess muscle twitching and are taking medication containing any of the above then it would be advisable to discuss the situation with your GP. It is important though not to just stop taking any medication without consulting with your medical practitioner first.
When should I see a doctor?
It is fairly common to have the odd muscle twitch which comes and goes over a period of a few days. However, if twitches last over a period of weeks or if you suffer a loss of sensation, muscle and weakness in the affected area then you should make an appointment with your GP.
Disclaimer
All content on Silversurfers.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated at all as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Silversurfers will not be responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content on www.silversurfers.com and we are also not liable for the content of any external websites or links from or to Silversurfers to any other websites. Please always consult your own doctor if you’re in any way concerned about any aspect of your health.
Melina - Assistant Editor
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