Fasciculation (Muscle Twitch)

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• QAre there alternative treatments for fasciculation?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Because the benign forms of fasciculation can easily be treated, there are a handful of ways to prevent short-term muscle spasms. Sometimes the twitching is caused by a magnesium deficiency, so adding a supplement to your diet can help. Stress can often cause fasciculation, so taking time to relax can alleviate the symptoms. Muscle relaxation can also apply to stress caused by strenuous exercise; gentle physical therapy or immersion in hot water can help ease tense muscles. It can also be helpful to cut back on stimulants like caffeine that may over-stimulate muscles to relieve muscle twitching. But bear in mind that persistent fasciculation along with weakness or a loss of sensation may be a sign of a more serious condition, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or nerve damage, and so should be checked with a doctor.

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• QWhat are the treatment options for fasciculation?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  In cases of benign (or harmless) fasciculation, there is no real treatment other than allowing it to stop on its own. If the twitching is caused by stress or exercise, it will go away as the body becomes more relaxed. It can also be caused by damage to the nerve leading to a muscle, which may be treatable depending on the cause of the damage. Treatment in more severe cases will depend on the underlying cause of the fasciculation. If the spasms are caused by Lou Gehrig's disease, various forms of muscular dystrophy, or spinal muscular atrophy, and are affecting quality of life, a doctor may suggest antiepileptic drugs; these have shown to be of some help. However, there is no known cure for this kind of benign fasciculation or the underlying disease causing it.

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• QWhat is fasciculation?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Fasciculation, or muscle twitching, is an involuntary movement of your muscles in a specific area of your body. Generally, you can see the movement of the muscle, even if it's just a slight shaking or indentation of the skin. Quick bursts, or spasms, can occur after exercising or during periods of high stress.

• QWhat causes fasciculation?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Fasciculation (slight tremor) can be caused by harmless conditions but may also indicate neurological problems. Strenuous exercise, a poor diet, too much caffeine, side effects of certain drugs, and even stress are some of the most common triggers. On the other hand, muscle twitching can also indicate nervous system disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or nerve damage. Serious conditions that cause muscle deterioration like muscular dystrophy or muscular atrophy also cause fasciculation of the muscles.

• QWhat are the symptoms of fasciculation?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Symptoms of fasciculation include muscle twitching or gentle grooves on the skin that are hardly noticeable. In most cases, this will happen on the calf muscle, the thumb, or on the lid of either eye. However, if the fasciculation is an indication of a more severe disorder, someone may experience a loss of feeling, weakness, or a deterioration of muscle size.

• QHow does fasciculation affect the body?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Fasciculation causes specific areas of muscle - most commonly the eyelids, calf muscle, or thumb - to move involuntarily. In cases when muscle twitching is a symptom of a severe disorder, muscle mass can start to diminish. Sometimes severe weakness or a loss of sensation in the muscles may occur.

• QWhat increases my risk for fasciculation?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  A deficiency in your diet, intense exercise, stress, or too much caffeine can increase your risk of fasciculation. Certain drugs, such as diuretics, corticosteroids or estrogens may have also cause muscle twitching as a side effect. Because the most common causes of muscle twitching are stress or strenuous exercise, you may experience occasional muscle fasciculation if you are an athlete. Damage to the muscle's nerve may be the cause. Also, you will probably experience fasciculation if you have been diagnosed with Lou Gherig's disease, any form of muscular dystrophy, or spinal muscular atrophy.

• QHow is fasciculation diagnosed?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  The cause of muscular fasciculation is diagnosed in several different ways depending on what the physician can rule out. Blood tests can be used to check for irregularities in the body's electrolyte levels or thyroid problems. Someone may also be given a physical exam to test muscle strength and nerve control, which may involve an electromyography (EMG) test. In the most severe cases, tests can be done through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain or spinal cord to check for neurological disorders.

• QShould I talk to my doctor about my fasciculation symptoms?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  You should speak to your doctor about your fasciculation symptoms if they continue for an extended period of time without getting any better. Generally, if the cause is benign, symptoms will disappear within a few days. However, muscle twitching that occurs for extended periods of time may be a sign of something more serious, such as Lou Gherig's disease. You should consult a health care provider if you continue to experience muscle twitching.

• QWhat is the link between fasciculation and spinal muscular atrophy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Fasciculation in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) occurs mainly in the tongue muscle. There are several different types of SMA, but each one can be distinguished by weakening or flaccid muscles which often cause throat complications such as difficulty breathing, talking, or holding up the head. A doctor can check for several factors to diagnose SMA, one of which is tongue muscle fasciculation. The nervous system progressively malfunctions and causes muscle atrophy, or weakness. As muscles weaken and it becomes harder for nerves to send signals to the muscles, making them twitch